History
Bolzano has a long tradition in the fair sector: the first evidence of commercial exchange
with other regions of the Alps, both in Italy and abroad, dates as far back as 1070. The
geographical location of the city and its unquestionable role as a bridge between Northern
and Southern Europe have always favoured commercial, economic and cultural relations with
the neighbouring countries.
The first modern fair was held in 1948.
In the Seventies, thanks to the favourable economic situation, a phase of development started
for the Bolzano Fair Organisation. Its administrators also prompted by the various economic
categories of the Province, decided to enrich the programme of fair events and started a series
of specialised exhibitions. This led to "Fiera Agricola" (i.e. "Fair for
Agriculture") "Bolzano Hotel", "Tempo Libero" (or "Leisure Time")
and "Ufficio-Büro", (i.e. "Office"). They were followed by "Mitea"
in 1983 - which became "Bauschau", a specialised fair for the building sector and
earth movements, in 1991 -, by "Lignomec" in 1984, a specialised fair for wood
processing machines and products and by "Mostra d'Arte ed Antiquariato" (i.e. "Art
and Antiques Exhibition"). "Arredo", a specialised fair for furniture and accessories,
was set up in 1992 and "Alpitec", a specialised fair for alpine and winter technologies,
followed in 1997. "Interpoma" - held for the first time in 1998 - is a European fair
including the congress "The apple in the world: growing, storage and marketing".
"Prowinter", the first fair in Europe dedicated to those in the Winter sports profession
has taken place for the first time in 2001.
The Bolzano Fair today
Today's programme of the Bolzano Fair includes 10 annual and biennial exhibitions and 3
showrooms: "Mode & Country Collection", devoted to the purchasing of fashion
and country fashion items, "Shoe Collection", devoted to the purchasing and
presentation of spring/summer and autumn/winter shoe collections, and "Sport Mode
Collection", devoted to the purchasing of sports fashion clothing and equipment.
Together, the events attract more than 200,000 visitors.
The exhibitions which most arouse the interest of the general public and of professionals
are: "Hotel" (once "Bolzano Hotel"), which inaugurated activities at
the new site of the Fair in Bolzano South on 23rd March 1998, "Agrialp"
(formerly "Fiera Agricola dell'Arco Alpino" or "Alpine agricultural
trade show"), "Tempo Libero", "Arredo", "Bauschau/Lignomec",
"Alpitec" and the "International Autumn Fair". This event has
reached its 53rd edition and performs a decisive and stimulating role in various
economic sectors - first of all in that of handicraft - not only at local level but
also in other countries.
As far as the "new-born" events of the Fair are concerned, "Alpitec", a
specialised fair for mountain and winter technologies, hosted in 1999 169 exhibitors
(92 of them coming from abroad) and was visited by 6,000 operators who made it a great
success while "Interpoma", European trade show for apple growing, storage
and marketing, exceeded also in 2000 all expectations and counted 6,000 professional
visitors of whom 20% came from abroad. The event saw the participation of 170 exhibitors.
The Bolzano Exhibition Center's strategies are concentrated on the study and development
of events referred to as being "niche", touching the areas in which the Alto-Adige
region has its competences and international recognition. Fruit growing and alpine
technology are examples of this. The events calendar for 2001 is in line with this
strategy: the objective of "Prowinter", the first fair in Europe dedicated
to those in the Winter sports profession, was to present the novelties, products and
services which are indispensable for ski instructors, managers of clubs and sports
associations, those operating in the ski-service laboratories and ski equipment hire places,
communication managers etc.
The new fair area in Bolzano
The area of the new Fair covers five hectares and is located in the business district of
Bolzano South. It can easily be reached from the national road, the motorway and the railway
(trains stop just in front of the Fair, on the Bolzano/Merano line), as well as from the
airport, inaugurated on 28th March 1999.
The premises, including the exhibition area and the attached service centre, cover an area
of 40,000 m2. If needed, a further 5,000 m2 of the nearby "Palaonda" multifunctional
structure - also belonging to the large Fair area - can be used. The new Fair is a
complete and complex structure, able to meet the most demanding needs in the exhibition,
congress and leisure sectors. The centre can operate all year round, thus enhancing the
value not only of the main town but of the entire Province and its economy.
800 cars can be parked on the roof of the single, large pavilion. Further 500 cars can be
parked in an underground garage along via Marco Polo, the street which faces the main
entrance of the Fair area, located in "No. 1, Piazza Fiera".
The service centre occupies four floors and hosts the congress rooms, the showrooms, the
restaurants, the police and firemen posts, the first-aid unit, the bank, shops, cash-desks,
the desks where visitors and exhibitors can register and the offices of the Fair Organisation.
The new Bolzano Fair was officially inaugurated on September 12th, 1998, when the
"Fiera Internazionale d'Autunno" (i.e. International Autumn Fair) was held.
Bolzano, May 2001
