November 2009
The exhibitors' architectural proposal and the great number of visitors made of BIEL Light+Building 2009 an event that exceeded all expectations
Training was one of the outstanding points and the one more appreciated by industry professionals
After going through a complex year due to the economic crisis worldwide, the good results of BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires 2009 confirmed that a sector that is united, booming and that generates new business is able to break new ground. The exhibiting companies of the 11th edition of the Biennial International Trade Fair for Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Lighting, were highly pleased with the results and with the number and quality of the audience that visited the fair. On their hand, visitors were amazed by the level of companies' stands and the news they presented. 307 local and foreign companies took part in the fair, with a total area of 35,000 square meters. In this edition there were German, Brazilian and Chinese companies sectors. Companies coming form Austria, Canada, Korea, Spain, United States, India, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Taiwan and Uruguay were also part of the exhibition.
In total, the fair was visited by more than 32,800 professionals, shopkeepers and businessmen from Argentina and from countries such as Afghanistan, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, United States, France, Guatemala, England, Italy, Morocco, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela.
In the fair opening ceremony, Mr. Ramiro Prodan, President of the Argentine Chamber of Electronic, Electro-Mechanical, Lighting, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Automatic Control Industries (CADIEEL) talked about the situation of the sector companies:
"I would like to highlight the importance they have not only in our sector but also in the economy of small and medium companies as a dynamic element and their capacity to employ people. To be more graphic: seven out of ten new jobs created since 2003 correspond to people employed by these companies and more than 90 out of 100 exporting industries are small and medium companies; this shows the importance of promoting their activity and progress. Even more, if we take into account that between 2005 and 2007, the product unit profitability lowered almost 35% among industrial small and medium companies whereas for large companies the drop was of 25%. Despite everything, the exports from small and medium companies promoted and supported by our chamber in exhibitions' participation and commercial missions to different countries of Latin America and Europe, grew 6.1% in 2008 compared to
2007.”
The exhibition had official recognition by being inaugurated by the Minister of Industry and Tourism of Argentina,
Bach. Débora Giorgi, that when she saw the strength and attitude of participating companies referred to the economic crisis in other terms:
"(...) I would say that you really depict the post-crisis world. Since you are businessmen, embassy representatives, technical bodies representatives, university representatives, businessmen, businesswomen, government employees, it is not necessary to tell you about how difficult has been to go through the international crisis we had to face. I believe today Argentina, as all the emerging and developing countries, can say that the worst part of the crisis is left behind. (…) Why did I say this fair is an example of post-crisis? First, because I see how a group of embassies, exhibitors from different countries come to contact by means of stands, several actions related to technological exchange, matchmaking programs (…) At the same time, I’m seeing that university action, the entities of greater technical sophistication of my country and other countries relate to small and large companies. (…) We know what innovation is, it is precisely the transfer of hard science to applied knowledge, the one that determines the manufacturing of a product that contains said differentiating innovation with added value. This is what will govern the destiny of those countries that would have a better standard of living and a more sustainable and permanent insertion in the
world.”
The Vice president of Messe Frankfurt GmbH’s Technical Fairs, Mrs. Iris
Jeglitza-Moshage, who came specially to take part in the opening ceremony of the event, said:
“I’m very happy to inaugurate today this edition of BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires on behalf of Messe Frankfurt (…) The tradition of BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires (…) shows that this specialized international exhibition is essential for the South American market. In the current economic situation, it is also more important because it offers a unique sector forum to provide and exchange first hand information and guarantee the future commercial success (…) In these difficult economic times, it has been shown the active commitment of Messe Frankfurt (...) Of course, all this could not be possible without the necessary support of all of you, that's why I would like to give a special thanks to all the people that have contributed to this exhibition's success. In particular, I would like to thank our partner, the Argentine Chamber of Electronic, Electro-Mechanical, Lighting, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Automatic Control Industries, the exhibitors, the visitors and the
journalists".
On his part, the President of Indexport Messe Frankfurt, Mr. Fernando Gorbarán, stated:
“It is a great honour and satisfaction to me to share with you this opening ceremony and to welcome you to BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires. (...) I would like to give a special acknowledgement to the chamber, that understood what was the members’ need as well as the market’s need: try to advance in spite of the crisis and put this platform, which is a space won by the national industry by having an important date in the international event calendar (…) The task was not easy, but when we have the conviction and work together in a common project, things go on well and are done in the best way possible. This is we are going to present today.
(…)”
Within the fair there was a very favourable atmosphere to do business with the
2nd International Matchmaking Program of the Electric, Electronic and Lighting
Industry. This program was organized by CADIEEL and Indexport Messe Frankfurt jointly with Fundación Export.Ar and the Undersecretaryship of Politics and Business Management of the Argentine Production Department, by means of PROARGENTINA program. 43 local companies that celebrated 210 business meetings with 10 foreign companies coming from Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, New Zealand and Peru took part in the program. The companies were very pleased with the business possibilities created. In this regard,
Dr. Marcelo Elizondo, Executive Director of Fundación Export.Ar, said: "Together with PRO Argentina we will be editing something that was very successful in the previous edition: an international matchmaking program and this year we have summoned companies from very different countries, countries from the region: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; far distant countries such as Central American ones: El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala and even companies coming from United States or New Zealand. They will celebrate meetings with more than 40 national companies already registered, while they will be able to receive the Argentine offer uniquely exhibited in this great event. This industry is a very dynamic one from the international viewpoint and that is why we take part here. An industry that exports more than 400 million dollars in all its activities, in all its sectors. An industry that even with Fundación Export.Ar has an agenda for next year that foresees participation in several events, from Frankfurt to Dubai, and some European capital cities such as Madrid."
BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires was not only a business sphere but also a vast space for training. The visitors were highly pleased and highlighted the several international level academic activities carried out within the fair framework such as:
- 11th International Technical Congress for the Electric, Electronic and Lighting Industry
During the 3-day congress, more than 1,000 industry professionals and businessmen attended the different lectures offered by prestigious national and international speakers in three areas: efficient energy, lighting and electric safety.
- 4th “Efficient Lighting” Contest – ELI Award
Within the exhibition framework, this acknowledgement has been given to high energy efficient lighting installations and projects. The ones who receive the 1st and 2nd prize in the Works and Installations Category were Edgardo Boqué and Fernando Carlos Pons for the lighting project of the business premises "Cabildo Design" in the city of Buenos Aires" and lighting of "i Pharm Nordelta” pharmacy. In the same category a special mention was given to Estudio Arq. Pablo Pizarro for the lighting project in Repsol YPF Offices and Estudio Rosellini Arquitectura for the interior architecture project of Repsol YPF Offices. In the Projects Category, the 1st prize was for Fernando Piedrabuena, Elena Goldin y Romina Pereira for the lighting design of “Fideicomiso Madero 1“. Besides, the panel of judges acknowledged other works that were given the ELI 2009 Award to Efficient Lighting Certificate.
- Third International Technical-Scientific Contest
Within the fair framework, prizes were given to selected works on electric safety and energy efficiency. In Electric Safety Focus, the 1st prize went to Angel Reyna and Victor Osete for "Electrostatic Discharge. Procedures to increase staff and installations safety in natural gas distribution companies of Argentina, in service polyethylene (PE) pipes operation, repair and maintenance”. And the 2nd prize was for Carlos Galizia for "Compared Analysis of Low Electric Installations Regulations in the World”. In the Energy Efficiency Focus, the 1st prize was won by Pablo Pizarro, Elena Longo and Carolina Yonamine for “Corporate Headquarters of Repsol YPF in Puerto Madero” and the 2nd prize was for Luis Juanicó, Gustavo Rinalde, Eduardo Tagliavore, Sebastián Gortari and Marcelo Molina for “Development of Portable Thermogenerators for Rural Electrification". The ones who got the first prize had also got the opportunity to present their work in a lecture within the framework of the International Technical Congress.
- Exhibitors' Lectures
There were more than 40 lectures given by the exhibiting companies. The subjects developed were very interesting and instructive both for businessmen and shopkeepers as well as for industry professionals.
Apart from being a training space, BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires, due to its local and international prestige, was the venue for the annual meeting of industry associations, chambers and entities. Within the fair, there were carried out: the
Meeting of Electricians Installers; the National Meeting of Electric Material Distributors
2009, summoned by the Argentine Chamber of Electric Material Distributors (CADIME) and the Meeting of
the National Network of Electricians Association, chaired by the Argentine Chamber of Electricians Installers (ACYEDE).
BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires 2009 success is precisely conveyed in the statements made by some of the exhibiting companies:
CANNATA CATER
President, Hernán Cannata
“This is the second time we take part in BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires and we are really glad with the organization and quality of the exhibition. (...) We believed that in such a difficult year the fair would not have such a great impact and we are very pleased with the organization achievements. We, as businessmen, can say that the effort made was huge. See you in
2011."
ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ECONOMICS AND TECHNOLOGY
Exhibition Consultant, Toivo Miller
“This is the first time we are here with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of Germany. Up to the moment, we have had a very good experience and noted an interest both in renewable energy and energy efficiency (...) The stand of Germany is accompanied by several German companies and they have said that (...) the interest on German business and products has been very satisfactory. The exhibition's organization has also been very good. During BIEL Light+Building 2009 preparation, we hoped that many people take part in the fair. Fortunately, the number and quality of visitors, from private companies and professionals have really surprised us. It has been a very good experience with the aim of promoting both renewable energy and energy efficiency. (...) It is highly probable that we take part in the next
edition."
FASS YAKOL
Commercial Director, Sergio Rubén Mainieri
“(...) We manufacture lighting fixtures since 61 years ago and we present us in BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires because we deem it a good place to keep the pace of news generation in the development of our products. This year in particular (…) we think that exhibitors' quality has shown an exponential growth as well as visitors. We made very good contacts from abroad. I would like to congratulate the organizers for getting this type of contacts and for bringing people from all Latin American countries and also from other continents. We want to participate again and support the chamber in the development of quality in all Argentine
products.”
LAGO
Commercial Director, Eng. Cesar Santoro
“I have many years of experience in fairs and exhibitions and we have taken part in many BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires. I really feel glad to be here. (…) I have visited other exhibitions and I consider BIEL is the best one in South America. I have just come from FIEE in Sao Pablo and, despite Brazil is five times bigger than Argentina from the industrial viewpoint, in terms of quality and presence we are well represented in this exhibition. I hope we continue in this path. Thank you very much and see you in next
edition."
SIEMENS
Regional Manager for Business and Marketing Development, Adrián Magra
“We are present in BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires to reinforce our permanent presence in the country. We continue trusting in the local market with our three key strategic pillars, which are present in the stand: services and solutions; energy efficiency and innovation (…). When the fair opened its doors on Tuesday, we were greatly surprised by first day summoning, indicating us that BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires 2009 would be really demanding in terms of the number of visitors. And we certainly have found an edition that, in the current situation, (…) has a level, organization and summoning that meets our expectations. In these difficult times for all the companies, we have decided to be present and differentiate us from some of our competitors (…) For us, BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires is and will be one of the focus in terms of promotion and demand creation for our customers and potential users to be able to know our portfolio’s soundness and
innovation.”
WIELAND ELECTRIC
Product Manager, Eng. Santiago Quiroz
“We are here again in BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires, a very productive exhibition. There were many people from the interior of the country and we did good business. There were also people from abroad that are interested in knowing our products. A lot of people visited the fair (…) Wieland Electric is a German company created more than 100 years ago that has been present in Argentina for more than 10 years. We hope to be able to bring all the technology we are developing abroad to Argentine products in order to get a more intense development. We were able to do lots of business deals; we received the visit of people from different industry areas, from very specialized people to installers. This helped us to establish a more direct relationship with all the people that use our products and can distribute them within Argentina. This year we have done lots of business in BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires and cover a great spectrum of the whole industry. We hope to be here again in the next edition of BIEL Light+Building Buenos
Aires.”
Thanks to the efforts of the whole sector, BIEL Light+Building Buenos Aires 2009 was a very successful exhibition. Thus, many firms have already confirmed their participation for the
12th edition that will take place on November, 8-12, 2011 in
La Rural Trade Center.
About CADIEEL
Cámara Argentina de Industrias Electrónicas, Electromecánicas, Luminotécnicas, Telecomunicaciones, Informática y Control Automático (CADIEEL, i.e. the Argentinean Chamber of Electronic, Electro mechanic, Light-Technology, Telecommunications, IT and Automation Industries) is the umbrella organization for the companies in this industry. It represents and defends the interests of more than 3,000 companies from the electric - electronic industry, which directly employ more than thirty thousand highly qualified technicians, with a turnover of US$ 3B and which export to more than 60 countries.
More information in: www.cadieel.org.ar
About Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s largest trade fair organiser, with 436 million euros in sales in 2008 (figure as of November 2008) and more than 1,400 employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 29 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 48 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2008, Messe Frankfurt organised more than 100 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Center. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
About Indexport Messe Frankfurt
Set up in 1990, Indexport is a service company specialized in access to markets. As from 2003, with the purchase of stock by the German company, Indexport became Indexport Messe Frankfurt, the Argentinean affiliate of the leading organizer of professional exhibitions worldwide. The exhibitions intend to promote real business meetings to boost regional markets, the local market, and, in turn, prompt the development of each area’s technological pole.
The current portfolio of events of Indexport Messe Frankfurt includes: Automechanika Argentina, BIEL Light+Building, BISEC, Cosmesur Beautyworld Buenos Aires, ExpoFerretera, Hair&Beauty Buenos Aires, MetalExpo, Seguriexpo Buenos Aires, Tecno Fidta and a number of congresses.
For more information visit: www.indexport.com.ar
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