Fira faces the crisis with more support to companies
All the shows planned for 2009 have been held
The backing of companies and economic sectors, greater international presence and innovation are the core elements of Fira de Barcelona that forecasts closing 2009 with a revenue of over 116 million euros. Despite the difficult economic climate, the institution has not only opted for maintaining all the shows planned in the annual calendar, but also for launching new events.
At Fira de Barcelona's General Council meeting, the president of the Administrative Board, Josep Lluís Bonet, gave a positive balance of the year and said that the institution "has firmly endured the situation", which has meant "more effort and more investment, but also more service to companies, business and employment".
At the end of the year, the Montjuïc and Gran Via exhibition centres will have hosted 70 shows and events, as well as 50 other activities. Worthy of note is the effort to maintain all the shows planned in the calendar, some of which are strategic for the Catalan and Spanish economies, such as Construmat and the Motor Show, and the promotion of innovation by creating new events such as Hit Barcelona (research and know-how) and The Brandery (urban fashion).
In 2010, the institution will hold other major events, such as Mobile World Congress (MWC), Alimentaria, Hostelco, the Boat Show, the second edition of Hit Barcelona, The Brandery, Avante and Instalmat, among others. Fira will also host eight events, including three international medical congresses, such as the European Urology Congress, the Haematology Congress and the European Respiratory Society Congress.
Barcelona, 10th December 2009