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[October 2009]
Cersaie Broadly Holds Position in Tough Environment
The 27th Cersaie, the international exhibition of ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings, came to an end recently in Bologna, Italy at a time of great difficulty for the international economy and real estate market, although the first signs of recovery are emerging. Nonetheless said the organisers, the overall figures confirmed not only the show’s stability in terms of exhibitors and visitors but above all its international importance for the represented sectors.
All the exhibition space at Cersaie 2009 was once again sold out. The total exhibition space of 176,000 square metres hosted 1,036 exhibitors from 34 different countries, of which 510 were from the ceramic tile sector and 380 from the bathroom furnishing sector. There were a total of 241 foreign exhibitors. In spite of the difficult economic situation, only partly alleviated by signs of recovery in some countries, Cersaie confirmed its broad market appeal with a total attendance of 83,137 visitors (compared to last year’s 84,537), 1.6% down on 2008.
Numbers of Italian visitors rose to 59,999 (+2.4%) while international attendance totalled 23,138 visitors, 27.8% of the total, a value that makes Cersaie one of the most international exhibitions not only in Bologna but in the whole of Italy. The exhibition was also strongly attended by journalists: 715 compared to 662 at the 2008 show, including 439 Italians (+20.2%) and 276 non-Italians.
The many events held during the show were very well attended, as were the meetings between the press and companies and the institutional events such as the ‘Ceramic Tiles of Italy’ International Press Conference and ‘Renzo Piano at Cersaie’.
This edition of Cersaie was also memorable for the presence of authoritative figures from the world of architecture and design as well as institutional representatives such as Deputy Minister Adolfo Urso, President of the Emilia Romagna regional council Vasco Errani, Councillor for Production Activities Duccio Campagnoli, Chairman of Federchimica Giorgio Squinzi and Director of the Italian Trade Commission’s Studies Department Pier Paolo Celeste. The first edition of the cultural project ‘Building, Dwelling, Thinking’ was very well received, featuring the participation of numerous authoritative speakers and above all a keynote address given by the master of contemporary architecture Renzo Piano, who received a standing ovation from the whole of the Palazzo dei Congressi di Bologna.
Next year’s event, Cersaie 2010, will be held in Bologna from 28 September to 2 October.
www.cersaie.it
ENDS