As the new year begins, the build-up to Fruit Logistica starts again, too. It is a busy time for the VLAM, Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board. They will once again be present with a Flemish pavilion at the upcoming trade fair in Berlin. "Despite Fruit Attraction's growing popularity, Fruit Logistica remains the largest trade fair companies want to attend. These two events complement each other perfectly; hence, the enthusiasm for Fruit Logistica remains very high," begins Nele Van Avermaet.
The VLAM pavilion will house roughly the same number of companies as last year. "There are some shifts in the number of potato companies compared to fruit and vegetables, but there will still be 31 companies. Last year, there were 32. The company stands are, however, larger, so our pavilion has grown in size. We're talking 744m2 versus last year's 644m2."
That participation in the VLAM pavilion is still being sought after is also evident from several first-timers at the upcoming edition, which will take place from February 7 to 9. "We always have a fixed group of companies that join us. Think of large cooperatives like Coöperatie Hoogstraten, BelOrta, and REO, but various exporters, such as Demargro, Vergro, and Warnez, are always present, too. Nonetheless, this year, some are joining us for the first time," says Nele.
VLAM's Nele Van Avermaet and Katrien De Nul
Debutants
"Belgian Fruit Valley, as part of BelOrta, has a stand at the pavilion. We've added the block they had last year to that area. Tree Nursery Nicolai is a newcomer, too. And Cuvelier Fruit decided after the last Fruit Attraction - where they were also debutants - that they enjoyed it so much, they'll also go to Berlin." The most notable, however, may be an entirely new name: Bosporus bv.
"It's wonderful to welcome them as well. They visited Fruit Logistica last year where they asked if they could join the pavilion this year. They were lucky because a spot had just become available. It's a substantial financial investment, so we can't just expand. We have a yearly selection procedure, with registration rights for companies that frequently join. We receive many requests. The expansion with the BFV block and some dropouts have ensured the pavilion can boast some new names like Bosporus and others," Nele explains.
Extra visibility
The VLAM pavilion is, as always, in Hall 27. "Even though we've been there for a long time, our partner companies tell us visitors don't always know where to find us. We thus decided to invest a little extra in visibility to promote our stand somewhat more. We hung some pointers in the exhibition hall as you come in from Halls 1 and 25. People can, thus, see we're on Hall 27's opposite side."
"Plus, in collaboration with the cooperatives, we've hung two large banners at the hall's entrance. We did that in Madrid, too, and got good feedback, so it seemed like a good idea for Fruit Logistica as well. We're generally looking forward to a great edition. There's plenty going on in the sector, but the companies are enthusiastic," Nele concludes.
For more information:
Nele Van Avermaet
VLAM
Tel: +32 (0) 255 28 032
[email protected]
www.vlam.be