Saturday, March 14, 2009

Italy:Visitor attendance at Mido better than expected

Italy:Visitor attendance at Mido better than expected

 


Italy:Visitor attendance at Mido better than expected

We had said that 2009 would have been a challenging year and so it was. В«The international economic situation at this Mido was definitely one of the most difficult we have ever dealt with В», stated Vittorio Tabacchi, president of Mido and Anfao. В«A great deal of uncertainty about the future prevails on all world markets. In this difficult situation, Mido had the courage to change its dates after 38 years, by rescheduling the usual May appointment to March В».

This was no mean feat and the decision to do it was not accidental but rather a deliberate effort to meet the real needs of companies to stay in sync with market demand. A challenge that we can consider successfully won.

В«Visitor attendance figures were better than expected at almost 42,000, falling by just 9% over 2008В», stated Dan Emanuel Levi, vice president of Mido and Anfao. В«Moreover, good signs are coming from the industry. We are very pleased with the increase in Italian visitors at + 3%, while the numbers of overseas visitors fell, especially from Asia, by an average 18%, due to the global economic crisis and the fact that the exhibition was being staged almost simultaneously with other international exhibitions that have not changed their dates yet В».

The exhibition area occupied 10% less space than in 2008 which set a record in the history of Mido at 54,000 square meters. Mido has therefore proved once again to be the most important exhibition for the industry, a forum for opticians and buyers from other countries (54%) and from Italy (46%).

An all-time preview of all the new fashion trends was offered, and sunglasses and eyewear of all shapes and materials were on display for a first-hand view. Another crowd-puller was the pavilion that hosted lenses, the real stars of the exhibition and the market in general.

The second Mido Design Lab was also a success. This area, which hosted all the companies that stand out for their research and innovation, flaunted a new futuristic black and white look this year, and tested with later closing hours at 10 pm so that companies could do business in a more informal atmosphere.

Mido is a leading-edge appointment and is already looking at the future on an optimistic note. We look forward to seeing you in Milan, on 5-7 March 2010 for the 40th exhibition which, at the request of all exhibiting companies, will be a 3-day event. 




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