Frankfurt, November 10, 2009:
- Recovery phase for European exhibitions
   longer than expected
- Investment in services, customer retention
   and new products as ways out of the crisis
- Public exhibitions surprisingly positive
- EMECA approves energy efficiency study

The restrictive lending policy of the banks as well as the partial or total cut-back of export promotion measures by the countries and regions are making it difficult for small and medium enterprises throughout Europe to take part in exhibitions. This was the unanimous complaint voiced by the 18 leading European exhibition centres – the members of EMECA (European Major Exhibition Centres Association) – at the autumn conference in Frankfurt that ended today. “For small and medium enterprises in particular, exhibitions are the most important part of marketing and sales activities,” explains EMECA President René Kamm, CEO of Swiss market leader MCH Group. EMECA fears that the emerging recovery will not take place for many European companies if this practice continues.
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New Orleans (akm) - The 2010 International Roofing Expo will be held February 22 to 24 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. A Community Service Day, also organised by Hanley Wood, will be hosted a day prior to the event on February 21. This home renovation and revitalisation project will be carried out for a family that is elderly, disabled or financially unable to support the renovation.

Linz (akm) - Austrian bike riders will meet from February 5 through 7 at the Motorrad 2010 to be staged at the Design-Center Linz, where they will be able to have a close look at the newest models, trends and highlights for the 2010 season. The organising OÖ Motorradhändler expects importers and more than 80 exhibitors to meet trade visitors.

New Delhi (akm) - The IWWA/IWA Utility Leaders Forum (ULF) will premier at Aquatech India (February 3 to 5, 2010). It provides a platform for CEOs of water utilities to share the latest trends on topics such as linkages between water, energy and climate. Organised by the Indian Water Works Association (IWWA) and the International Water Association (IWA) in co-operation with Amsterdam RAI, the forum takes place February 4, 2010 at the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre in New Delhi.