Closing press release
AN EXCELLENT SHOW IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS
Against the background of a particularly difficult global economy, the 39th MIDEST, the world’s leading industrial subcontracting show, and the 5th MAINTENANCE EXPO, France’s only show in 2009 covering the full range of industrial and service sector maintenance solutions, closed their doors on 20th November at Paris Nord Villepinte after four days of fruitful meetings and a range of special effects, and having achieved an increase in visitor numbers over last year.
Growing visitor numbers
MIDEST achieved a significant 5.5% increase in visitor numbers to reach 39,710 professionals over the 4 days and the number of foreign visitors, who were drawn from 78 countries rather than the 54 of 2008, increased by 13%. MAINTENANCE EXPO’s visitor numbers rose by a more modest 1% to 2,998 over the four days of the show. The number of exhibitors at MIDEST also rose by 2.5% in terms of the number of actual exhibiting companies, although the total number of exhibitors (including the press, subsidiaries and free stands) fell slightly by 3.6%. Once again this year the event brought together nearly 1,700 companies from all over the world, and by leaping from having exhibitors from 29 countries to 37 within the space of a single year MIDEST strengthened its position as the world’s leading industrial subcontracting exhibition. For the first time foreign exhibitors accounted for over 40%.
In parallel, MAINTENANCE EXPO occupied 1,500 m² and presented the products and services of 35 exhibitors, including an extensive range of computer assisted maintenance management solutions and diagnostic aids.
Therefore, despite a particularly difficult economic situation, the shows performed excellently both in terms of visitor and exhibitor numbers. What’s more, the initial reactions of the vast majority of the exhibitors were ones of satisfaction. They reported an increased presence of high-level customers at both the shows and a wealth of contacts forged. Most of these buyers were from general management, purchasing and technical/production departments and many were visiting to talk about interesting projects for which they had already laid the groundwork.
Political support for the sector
MIDEST was opened on Tuesday 17th November by Mr Christian Estrosi, the Industry Minister, who came to meet subcontractors. The highly representative nature of the range of exhibits once again attracted a number of ambassadors, who came to meet exhibitors from their own countries, whilst numerous presidents of chambers of commerce and industry and regional and general councils also visited to support their exhibitors.
Events a great success
The second country of the year at MIDEST, Belgium, was the focus of numerous special events that shone light on both the country and its subcontractors. Its national stand, located by the entrance, meant that visitors were able to meet leading representatives from 90 Belgian companies drawn from all sectors. A whole series of talks and round tables that highlighted their know-how and prospects were followed by numerous visitors.
The fourth MIDEST Awards were also a great success in terms of both quantity and quality, with a 40% rise in the number of entries over 2008, which had itself achieved a sharp rise. A shortlist of 20 was selected by a jury of experts and visitors were invited to vote for the winners as they registered online on the MIDEST site. 9 winners were chosen in the categories of Innovation (APM, CTIF and Poly-Shape), Outstanding implementations (Gattefin SAS and Novaplest-Neotec Plastique), International (Fomeco), Organization (Bourgeat) and Design offices (Feronyl and MP2I). For the first time in the event’s history, the jury also made a special award to the Zinc Fonderie France association. The awards ceremony took place on 17th November in the presence of Mr Christian Estrosi. Over the four days, 1,266 professionals took the opportunity provided by the shows to monitor technology and to keep abreast with the latest developments in subcontracting and maintenance. The CETIM Flash Conferences attracted numerous customers and a total audience of 408, whilst the official conferences had a total audience of 858 participants.
Finally, the themed villages, most of which are organized by the show’s professional partners, continued their growth. Those present last year (Forging with the AFF, Foundry with Fondeurs de France, Materials treatment with the UITS, Metalworking with the GIMEF and the SNFR, and Plastics-Rubber) were joined by two new villages: Electronics with SNESE and European fastenings.
