Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The 2021 edition of SICAM was marked by confirmations of the effectiveness of in-person trade shows. A total of 542 companies came to Pordenone this year from Italy and 28 other countries (approximately 30% of exhibitors came from abroad), filling all 36,500 square metres of the ten halls of the trade fair area.The highest numbers among the foreign contingents came from Germany (historically the foreign country with the highest attendance at SICAM), followed by Spain and Turkey. Next came the exhibitors from Austria, Greece and Poland. Many exhibitors have confirmed that SICAM 2021 was a very successful trade show. The organisers have received many statements of gratitude in this regard, a sign that the companies present, both exhibitors and visitors, appreciated the event’s understanding of the industry and its hunger to meet up again.
Over 7,200 companies visited the trade show, with 34% of them from 91 different countries. With these figures, the twelfth edition of SICAM certainly exceeded the expectations of those companies who placed their trust in the event and came to Pordenone with their new products and, above all, with their desire to open up direct and personal relations with the global furniture industry once again.
Covid-related restrictions had a limited effect overall and the companies present at Pordenone worked with satisfaction and enthusiasm. Compared to the last edition held in 2019, SICAM 2021 only saw reduced attendances from professionals from the Far Eastern countries that have been especially hit by the pandemic, above all China and India. Markets that have traditionally come to the event, such as Germany, the Ukraine, France and Russia, returned in great numbers. As was to be expected, European countries provided the most attendees, amount to 78% of registrations. There was a significant presence of buyers from Asian countries, totalling 14% of attendances, which was perhaps unexpected considering travel restrictions and the reduced availability of international flights. The average length of visits registered remained essentially unchanged at 1.28 days. Foreign visitors were slightly up on 2019 from 32% to 34%, spending an average of 1.57 days at the trade show.
The sober, elegant atmosphere of the halls is SICAM’s signature style and remains unaltered in its effectiveness and elegance. In line with the provisions of the Covid Protocol drawn up by AEFI – the Italian Exhibition and Trade Fair Association- ,Exposicam’s organisation team attended to the smallest details to ensure the safest conditions at the trade fair without altering the exhibition layout and while maintaining top efficiency in all services, including catering and the shuttle services to and from Venice and Treviso airports.
So, after the postponement in 2020, the strength and effectiveness of the SICAM format were confirmed. “The chance to build quality relationships has always been SICAM’s strength,” states the event’s founder and organiser Carlo Gobbi, “and we saw that again this year. The companies were extremely eager to get back to in-person trade fairs and received the satisfaction they were looking for. There were so many contacts and direct business and, above all, so much enthusiasm for new business.” Numerous confirmations of attendance have already been received by the Exposicam team for 2022. A good sign of an event’s worth lies in feedback from the market and rebooking is a key indicator in this respect. “We have received requests for next year from various exhibitors of this edition as well as new companies,” Carlo Gobbi adds. “This indicates a sector that truly wishes to drive development and confirms its belief that the trade fair is a cornerstone of its marketing strategy.”
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