Since when has “Maxpol” been organising International Trade Fairs?

- The company, which I have run since 1990, specialises in organising exhibitions of Polish enterprises at international trade fairs and abroad. Eighteen years ago, “Maxpol” began its operations with organising a trade fair in Lvov. At that time, Poland’s foreign trade with the former Soviet Union countries was going through a severe crisis. We were convinced that it would develop again. Encouraged by the cooperation with our first partner in Ukraine, the editorial staff of Galician Contracts magazine, we organised a trade fair in Kyiv on a much larger scale. After that, our friends suggested that we should organise similar trade fairs in the east of Ukraine in Dnepropetrovsk, Krivoy Rog and Donetsk. In the meantime, we began cooperating with a Belarusian company MinskExpo while organising a trade fair in Minsk. We also worked with Litexpo in Vilnius and Baltexpocentr in Kaliningrad. These were the first years.

Which types of trade fairs do you specialise in?

- Trade fair operations are connected with economic activity. Numerous meetings we held with representatives of Polish companies revealed a need for further development of both territorial and industry exhibition activities. We decided to organise agricultural and food, packaging, construction and automotive industry trade fairs separately in place of previous, mostly multi-industry, trade fairs. We have expanded and continue expansion of our operations into new countries. In 2008, we organised numerous trade fairs in 26 countries. Apart from Europe:  in China, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

What does you offer addressed to exhibitors include?

- As regards our exhibition activity, we provide a range of services. Among other things, we specialise in the development and arrangement of stands, transport of exhibits, customs clearance, promotion, advertising and provision of interpreters and hostesses. We also seek partners for cooperation. We organise the entire stay for company representatives. We have decided to provide such an extensive offer because we truly believe that no exhibitor should  care about organisational preparations, as his main goal is to promote production and engage in talks with trade partners.

What are the benefits of participating in trade fairs?

- Every global marketing research confirms that trade fairs are most beneficial in terms of direct marketing. Taking part in trade fairs is the most profitable marketing investment. Business success begins at trade fairs, as they are the essence of marketing. Undoubtedly, they also generate significant costs.

How do you assess the activity of Polish exhibitors at food trade fairs?

- Food trade fairs are considered most important and attractive for exhibitors among all industry events. The food industry is very active as regards participation in trade fairs. It is dominated by companies specialising in the production of sweets.  Many well-known companies take part in trade fairs organised in Western and Eastern Europe, such as for example Millano, Bomilla, Odra, Vobro, Astra, TAGO. Producers of spices and pasta are also active in this field. Polish products are among the best in the world. Therefore, companies from the food industry have an established reputation. Increased participation in well-known and recognised trade fairs, such as SIAL-Paris, ANUGA in Cologne, IFE in London or ISM in Cologne, where the exhibitors include only producers of sweets, is noticeable. In Eastern Europe, producers of eggs, dairy products and meat dominate. The food industry is seeking new markets and it also participates in many trade fairs in the world such as those in Japan, China, the US and Canada. In a sum, it is an active industry.

What changes in trade fair organisation have you noticed during the 18 years of your company’s activity?

- It is a long period. Polish economy has developed considerably in this period. In the past, it was a common thing to organise multi-industry trade fairs, where producers from various industries presented their offers. At present, such events no longer have a raison d’ętre. Companies decide to take part in very specialised industry trade fairs. The stand system is completely different from what it was 18 years ago. Many enterprises decide to arrange their stands individually, often in a very modern way. The stands are spacious and encourage visitors to enter. Transport of exhibition elements is much easier now. The opportunities of finding partners willing to cooperate are greater (Economic and Commercial Departments of Embassies provide companies with relevant assistance). Our company specialises in servicing exhibitors, who do not need to worry about their stands, entries in a fair catalogue or required accreditations. The exhibitor does not have to worry about where to sleep and how to arrive at the fairs. In this way, we have expanded the range of our services. We receive gratitude and distinctions for our work. We were awarded the Trade Fair Service Leader distinction for the years 2006-2007 and the Mazovian Company of the Year distinction in 2008. Not to mention various diplomas from fair organisers in many European countries and outside Europe in recognition of many years of cooperation.

As a final word, what would you like to say to the exhibitors?

- Prestige and satisfaction of exhibitors are the motto of our activities. I would like to emphasize once again that, in my opinion, trade fairs and exhibitions are an extremely effective way to sell in the near future as many products as possible to more and more clients and for better money. Clients are wiser and want to know more and more. Direct personal contact with a client during a trade fair allows demonstrating the product and presenting the company in the best possible way. We provide not only professional support but also a wide range of services. We encourage all Polish companies to take active part in trade fairs of their choice.

Thank you for the interview.

Interviewer Tomasz Pańczyk