Düsseldorf wants to be in on a new venue
Norbert M. Schmidt, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf Moscow, on the organiser's search for an ideal solution for all partners concerned.
Mr. Schmidt, what are your goals?To grow, consolidate and stay on track.
What does that imply, given the enormous competitive pressure in Moscow?Our years-long cooperation with ZAO Expocentr, the biggest and most important exhibition venue in Moscow, puts us in a very good position. Our trade shows here are expanding, and our exhibitors are highly satisfied. In addition to which, we also maintain extremely good relations with the municipal council in the Russian capital. That can often be very significant here.
When you say your shows are expanding, do you mean that you actually need more square meterage?That is correct. In this respect, too, we have already embarked on negotiations with Moscow's mayor, Yuri Lushkov, who wishes to build a completely new, municipally owned facility. The outlines of a possible cooperation agreement have already been set out in a Letter of Intent.
Are you familiar with the project in greater detail?Yes, but at this juncture we are seeking to contribute our exhibition know-how so that the new fairground ideally does justice to the requirements of all concerned. So far, plans are on the table to modernise the All-Russian Exhibition Centre in the city centre.
However, for our exhibitors we would rather see a facility with a superb infrastructure better geared to trade fairs. In terms of the halls, a completely new building would have advantages. Modernisation of the present grounds would have to take account of the preservation orders on some of the halls. And visitor guidance would be rather difficult to handle there.
Moving forward, how do you intend to develop business in Russia?We are represented in Moscow by our leading pilot fairs from Düsseldorf. As the next step we would like to serve other sectors as well. For this we are entering into alliances, for instance with Messe Essen, with which we will stage the welding engineering expo Schweißen & Schneiden as from 2007 in the capital. Various projects would certainly also be conceivable with Koelnmesse and other international exhibition organisers.
Do you also hold fairs in other cities?For years, we have staged by far the biggest mining fair in Siberia, in Novokuznezk. But before launching shows in other Russian cities we want to reinforce our presence in Moscow.
What benefits can you offer companies exhibiting at one of your fairs?We exhibition organisers sell hot air and empty halls. It is only the quality of the events and excellent service - be it assistance in obtaining visas or in finding a hotel - that separates the wheat from the chaff. Our aim is to relieve clients of most of the headaches they suffer when taking part in exhibitions in Russia. With us, they get one-stop services. And a smile and courteous treatment are simply par for the course. Our exhibitor service centre provides all our exhibitors with a communication platform, and our technical and organisational service department relieves them of the stress involved in an exhibition appearance in another country. Our customer relations abroad are even closer than in Germany. People who travel always have something to report. Close contacts are quickly forged as a result.
What advice do you have for first-time exhibitors?There are many ways to obtain insights into the exciting Russian market. The Düsseldorfer Wirtschaftstage (Düsseldorf Business Days) is one example: Companies travel to Moscow, where they can see the Krasnaya Presnya facility in operation and are given an opportunity to network with the Russia Competence Centre. But before and after this business event Messe Düsseldorf remains the number one contact for interested companies.
Interview: Christine Seizinger
m+a report Nr.5 / 2005 vom 12.08.2005
m+a report vom 12. August 2005