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From 6 to 8 November Bolzano was transformed into the world capital of the apple. For the biennial edition of “INTERPOMA”, an influx of overseas trade professionals and experts from across the apple-growing sector converged on the Fiera Bolzano exhibition centre to explore the universe that revolves around this fruit
(Bolzano, 14 November 2008) Germany, the United States, Israel, Japan and New Zealand: trade specialists from the four corners of the globe came together for the sixth edition of “Interpoma”, the only exhibition in the world entirely dedicated to the apple industry. From 6 to 8 November the halls of the Fiera Bolzano convention centre welcomed almost 4,600 overseas visitors, 40% of the 11,653 attendees who explored the 17,000 square metres of exhibition space to discover the many facets of the apple sector.
There was also an international theme to the long-running conference “The Apple in the World”, which attracted 900 participants during the three-day tradeshow. The event was a resounding success, with a succession of globally renowned speakers taking turns to address the audience in the centre’s Elena Walch Hall, on a number of extremely topical and interesting topics. The conference was opened by Philippe Binard of Freshfel/WAPA, who presented data concerning world apple production and placed particular importance on local growers’ networks such as those in South Tyrol, one of the world’s largest apple producing regions with an annual harvest of over 900,000 tonnes. The first day’s agenda also centred on Russia and Asia, two rapidly expanding markets which are increasingly a target for export driven producer. “Harmonisation and new pesticide residue regulations” was the topic of the second day, which registered a peak audience of 370 attendees, while the organic apple market was the focus of the final session.
“Each successive edition of “Interpoma” further establishes its reputation as an international exhibition”, affirmed Gernot Rössler, president of Fiera Bolzano. “It is a steadily growing event which this year has taken a giant step forward, both in terms of its international scope and as regards the number of visitors. In 2006, 31.7% of the total audience came from abroad, including Europe and the rest of the world, whereas this year that figure rose to almost 40%, with visitors from 54 different countries,” explained Mr. Rössler, proud of the success that the event has achieved.
There were also numerous favourable comments among the exhibitors. Gerhard Dichgans, director of the VOG Association, the largest organisation of apple growers in South Tyrol, declared: "This year we have also seen an increase in overseas visitors and delegations. Every year the high professional and scientific profile of the conference attracts hundreds of experts from within the sector, confirming that “Interpoma” has, over the years, become the international benchmark event for the apple sector".
“Interpoma 08” drew a highly specialised audience, with 91.6% of the turnout consisting of trade visitors. “One important finding of the survey carried out by Fiera Bolzano among attendees is that 54.8% of those interviewed declared the intention to do business with the exhibitors they contacted,” affirmed Reinhold Marsoner, managing director of Fiera Bolzano. The satisfaction rating was also high: of the sample of 261 visitors interviewed as part of the Fiera Bolzano survey, 100% expressed a positive opinion of the exhibition, with 73.6% describing it as good, 16.5% excellent and 9.9% satisfactory.
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