'Vicenzaoro winter': A decent response

The Vicenzaoro show turned out quite well with decent number of exhibitors turning for the show. The show management announced at a press meet on January 16th that it had initiated a massive Euro 60 million expansion plan, design bids for which would be sought in April this year. Allowing a few months after that for the submission of bids and the selection of the winner, actual civil work would probably start by the end of January 2008, Corrado Facco, managing director of the Vicenzaoro fair told the media.

The ambitious two-phase plan, which envisages the addition of another 10,000 square metres to the existing fair's facilities will kick off with the demolition of an adjacent hotel and the erection of a new pavilion in its place.

This will be followed by the demolition of the so-called pyramid, which currently houses the 'C' and 'D' pavilions.

This new structure will integrate the already existing high-end 'B1' pavilion into a single composite structure, Andrea Pellizari, who heads Immobiliare Fiera, the trade show's infrastructure arm, said in his presentation. The plans also include the development of new, multi-level parking facilities. The show's main entrance is slated for re-modelling with an architectural 'signature theme' being developed for it, he added.

Despite this, Facco noted that the Vicenzaoro show intends to keep its identity unchanged that of a show dedicated to developing and promoting the 'made in Italy' brand. The exhibitors will declare final sales after the show gets over on Jan 21.