Organisers of Xylexpo, Italy’s biennial woodworking machinery fair, say they are on course to deliver a successful 2006 show thanks to an aggressive marketing plan and a new venue.
Exhibition sponsor Acimall (the Italian woodworking machinery and tool manufacturers association) said 632 exhibitors had signed up for the May 16-20 show by January 20. Foreign exhibitor numbers currently stand at 192, 20 more than two years ago.
Some 70,000m2 of exhibition space has been booked, 6,000m2 more than the last show, but Acimall expects the figure to reach 75,000m2 by May.
Acimall has reported a “massive increase” in space requested by Italian companies.
Ambroio Delachi, Acimall president, said Xylexpo 2006 was coming at a critical time for the Italian woodworking industry.
He said: “We know the woodworking world has deeply changed. We are well aware of the fact that, if we want to maintain our high export share, we have to work hard, invest, make huge sacrifices and quickly adapt to our customers’ needs, which are constantly changing.”
Xylexpo general-secretary Paolo Zanibon predicted about 90,000 visitors would visit the exhibition, being held at the newly-built Rho fairgrounds in Milan.
He said promotional activities include a series of meetings and press conferences, plus a comprehensive media advertising campaign to highlight the free entrance show, which also features an international timber workshop.
