Rio – What an Event!
By Rita Pecilunas, President, Strategic Marketing Resources
The 2009 World LP Gas Forum in Rio de Janeiro was an outstanding success. A record-breaking 1731 attendees were treated to warm Brazilian hospitality and the hottest business topics of the day a mere stone’s throw away from the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. With a sold-out trade show and packed educational sessions lead by very high-profile speakers, this year’s Forum was a buzz of activity, networking, business development, and lots of fun—Rio style!
Many changes were launched at this year’s Forum. Most noticeable on the trade show floor were the many visitors and the enthusiasm among exhibitors, as well as the addition of the Platinum sponsor café. With a lighted Brazilian-tiled promenade that changed daily, and contemporary tables and chairs situated in cozy conversational groupings, the Platinum sponsors’ area was crowded and lively during trade show hours. Also new this year was the addition of a trade show floor reception to allow attendees and exhibitors to network and do business in a more relaxed setting with entertainment, cocktails, and food served in the exhibit hall (see photos). This concept will be expanded at the 2010 show in Madrid with entertainment, and food and beverage stations set up on various levels of the exhibit hall to ensure that attendees get a chance to see all of the new technology and services being offered by Forum partners.
Please click here for information on the event, and links to photos and articles on the World Forum: http://www.worldlpgas.com/news-and-events/news/industry-update-from-largest-event-in-the-world/
As the Forum has grown over the years, so has the savvy of the exhibitors who have turned this annual event in to a unique way to partner with other suppliers and offer goods and services on an international level where the opportunities have not been saturated. RegO and Rochester have partnered with their distributors and distributors’ suppliers to develop a “boulevard” of complimentary service and technology providers. These companies work together to direct attendees to their partners and the results have been phenomenal. “In just the past few years, the quality of the show has increased tremendously. It is drawing a lot more attendees, and these are high level, qualified buyers, “ says Brian Davidson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for RegO Products. “The World Forum fits in perfectly with RegO’s plan to expand our international business. We can attribute a sizable portion of the increase in our new international business to contacts and activities related to the World Forum,” Davidson added.
The 2008 show in Madrid promises to expand on this creativity and enhance the business opportunities for show attendees. “Our goal is to make this the best opportunity in the world to bring unique and cutting edge service and technology providers together with LP gas professionals to help all of our partners become more profitable, efficient, and knowledgeable. Because of the intimacy of the World Forum and the excitement of the locales we select, there really is no other event like this anywhere else,” said James Rockall, Managing Director of the World LP Gas Association.
The Madrid World LP Gas Forum is close to being sold out—with almost 80% booths already sold.
Ole!
