EDITOR’S LETTER

© ipcm

Alessia Venturi, editor-in-chief of ipcm® and project manager of EOS Mktg&Communication.

Actually, meeting with customers and seeing the stands full of visitors not at all intimidated by personal contact was a breath of fresh air, both on a human and on a business level. It was exactly what this industry needed.

The pandemics, the crisis in the procurement of raw materials, and the war between Russia and Ukraine that is affecting the whole Europe do not seem to have shaken the plans of companies in our industry. What was the mood in the exhibition centre during the fair?

Energy, dynamism, and confidence in the future despite everything, together with the awareness that the current problems are not going to be solved any time soon and that the willingness to look for new solutions, new agreements, and new suppliers is going to be crucial. The current situation is going to radically change the economy. Therefore, being responsive, dynamic, and ready to take some risks is becoming essential. At the trade fair, there was a clear desire to invest and implement new technologies: many visitors had concrete investment projects to discuss with exhibitors.

The pandemic also brought with it a change in PaintExpo’s organising team: how do you rate the new management of Leipziger Messe?

In general, the organisation was good and efficient. Leipziger Messe could count on the exhibitors’ very high loyalty achieved by the previous ownership and on the experience of its exclusive agencies, such as EOS for Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and Artkim for Turkey and the Middle East, which smoothed out some of the critical issues typical of an organisational transition. In my opinion, there would have been an opportunity to reduce the space left vacant by companies who gave up the trade fair at the last minute, perhaps by offering neighbouring exhibitors larger spaces at favourable prices or by advancing the most backward stands.

What impressed you most about exhibitors and visitors? Was there widespread satisfaction?

I was struck by the general optimism of the exhibitors from the very first day: they all confirmed that the interest level of visitors was very high. Although there was a lack of attendees from areas affected by the current geopolitical situation, there was a good turnout on all four days of the event, even from overseas. I would say that the results were excellent and certainly above everyone’s expectations: with almost 10,000 visitors, PaintExpo performed at the same level as its last edition in 2018.

How do you think the trade fair’s organisation will evolve in 2024?

I believe that PaintExpo will continue to grow. Its potential is remarkable. The new organisers should focus on international promotion and the expansion of the number of exhibitors in order to consolidate it as a benchmark exhibition for the industrial coating sector. The location in Karlsruhe is unavoidable because it is affordable and easily accessible. I would say that the next goal would be to get exhibitors back from South American and Far Eastern countries, which were missing this year.