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[June 2003]
Tecnargilla Switches to Biennial Schedule
Following opinion canvassing and discussions last year, the Tecnargilla organiser Rimini Fiera SpA (Rimini, Italy) has confirmed changes both to the triennial schedule and the start/finish days of this international exhibition of technology and supplies for the ceramic and heavy clay industries.
Rimini Fiera and ACIMAC (Italian Ceramic Plant and Machinery Manufacturers' Association) had already mooted the idea of switching Tecnargilla from a triennial to a biennial event during the opening press conference held at Tecnargilla 2002. The decision has now been confirmed.
"The decision to make Tecnargilla biennial was based on various factors," explained Franco Stefani, Chairman of ACIMAC, "first and foremost the desire to reinforce the strong position that this show has established in recent years compared to other international trade shows in the sector. This is largely due to the fact that Italy is home to the world's leading ceramic industry in terms of numbers of companies and the quality of its products. The participation of these companies at both Tecnargilla and Cersaie (held simultaneously in Bologna) gives these two shows a much greater ability to attract Italian and foreign visitors than any other exhibition event."
So, instead of taking place in 2005, the next Tecnargilla will now be staged at the new Rimini Fair Centre in 2004 - from 1-5 October. Additionally, instead of running from Tuesday to Saturday, i.e. coinciding precisely with Cersaie in Bologna, the event switches from Friday to Tuesday, with the overlap between the two events being limited to just the weekend. Rimini Fiera said: "This will make it possible to spread visits to the two events over 8 days, which is important as both shows are key events for industry professionals".
It is understood that the previous plans for the smaller, associated event Kromatech (Colour Technology, Creativity and Trends in the Ceramic Industry) - which would have seen this exhibition staged every year - have also been changed and that it will now take place alongside Tecnargilla in the new biennial slot.
The Chairman of Rimini Fiera, Lorenzo Cagnoni, expressed his own approval of the changes: "Following the excellent results of Tecnargilla 2002, we have now been able to turn it into a biennial event. In part this has been made possible by the further expansion of the exhibition centre that is being carried out by the company.
"The first expansion stage will begin on 18 June, increasing the gross exhibition of the Rimini Exhibition Centre from the current 84,000 to 111,000 square metres with 4 new halls (2 on the west side and 2 on the east).
"The services will also be substantially upgraded. For example there will be 12 new flexible conference halls seating up to 140 people and designed for use by both professionals and the press, as well as new catering areas. The works on the west side will be handed over at the end of August 2004; those on the east side at the end of August 2005.
"Furthermore, construction of the railway station inside the exhibition centre will be completed by the end of the year. The station will be located on the left of the main entrance to Rimini Fiera, the south side. It will have a 350-metre-long roof and two subways with lifts to eliminate architectural barriers. The buildings located on either side will house the waiting room, ticket office, exhibition info points and shops. The station will be served by both normal and charter trains on the Milan-Bari line and will facilitate attendance by international visitors and transfers to and from Cersaie in Bologna and other events."
Rimini Fiera has currently allocated a gross area of 97,500 square metres for Tecnargilla 2004, up from 80,000 square metres used in 2002. Tecnargilla 2002 featured the products and services of some 800 exhibitors selling to the ceramic sector, with Rimini Fiera identifying around 30% of these as non-Italian.
For all further information about participation in Tecnargilla 2004, e-mail Gabriella de Girolamo at: g.degirolamo@fierarimini.it
ENDS