The Direct Testimony of Mido Exhibitors
Arturo and Maryla Grandelis, owners of MARYLA MATINEE (Pieve d'Alpago - Belluno - Italy): 'Things went very well, all our regular customers showed up and did a significant amount of buying. We doubled our sales. Our customers are all from outside Italy, especially, eastern and northern Europe, Syria and Japan. None of these people seemed to be concerned about the Sars virus, despite the barrage of negative news on TV and the newspapers. There were probably fewer visitors overall, but they were more interested'.
Manuele Danzi, owner of VIDIVICI (Anzola - Bologna - Italy): 'My comments about the exhibition? Good, even though hall traffic was light. Orders were promising, and we ended up with a larger order portfolio than last year. We always get many foreigners at our stand, percentage-wise 95% are from other countries and 5% are Italian'.
Cristiano Milone, executive vice president and Gabriella Repaci, assistant, MIRAGE S.P.A. (Venegono Inferiore - Varese - Italy): 'Things were not as expected, but our company was busy, especially with our overseas distributors. Orders also went very well. The trade people who did come were truly interested in investing their time and doing business. Even in terms of quality. Basically, there were no people wasting our time. We didn't see many Germans or Europeans. We also did well as regards other markets. MIDO, despite everything, is the topmost showcase, the industry's most important exhibition worldwide '.
Nadia Agnoli, export manager at IMMAGINE EYEWEAR (Tai di Cadore - Belluno - Italy): 'The exhibition was slightly quieter than in the past. Our expectations were very modest because of the general climate. However, I must admit that the exhibition didn't fall short of our expectations. We did good business, even better than last year, also because of our good stand location. About 80% of our visitors were from other countries. Most of these came from Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and Europe as usual'.
Dominique and Armelle Pinton, owners of PINTON (Paris - France): 'Things were calm in general. This year's exhibition was a rather difficult one, but quite good for us. I didn't see many people from Milan, but there were several from Rome. Our overseas customers showed up for their appointments. Their participation is always good'.
Giovanni Vitaloni, manager at NICO (Turin - Italy): 'My feelings overall were good. We did business as usual and didn't have any problem with fears about the Sars virus. Orders were slightly higher than last year's. Of the visitors to our stand, 90% were from other countries and 10% were from Italy. Attending MIDO is still a must, it is an international forum for the eyewear trade'.
Valter Da Rin, owner of TRENTI INDUSTRIA OCCHIALI (Perarolo di Cadore - Belluno - Italy): 'Our customers and the results were basically the same as last year: we acquired orders and did business, both with Italians and overseas buyers. By contrast the number of 'window shoppers' and people looking for gadgets fell significantly, which is not a bad thing. There was not one child this year, unlike previous years when we had several at our stand. Overall, traffic was lighter: I would say 10-15% fewer professionals. Probably the companies that were most hard hit were the ones that wanted to work on their public relations with endorsers and events that would attract people '.
Ennio de Martin from LA FENICE (Lozzo di Cadore - Belluno - Italy): 'Business was not bad, with some trade talks, but no substantial deals (we only work overseas). In general, I don't think Mido did well this year in terms of attendance figures '.
M. Yamamoto from FUKUI MEGANE (Sabai City - Japan): 'The overall outlook is bleak, with few people around. Sars added to this problem, and created even more difficulties for us from Asia. I did have business meetings though, I'm quite satisfied, the results were good '.
Lorenzo Ungaro, managing director, SOLA OPTICAL ITALIA (Australian multinational with Italian headquarters in Varese): 'For several years now, Mido for us is just about public relations and not about making business contacts; we work on the Italian market. This year there was a big slump in visitors, but we are certain that things will improve next year, when the exhibition will not be staged during the 'long weekend break' like this year. I think this had a greater impact than Sars. Mido should definitely get a fresh look, keep the good things and add some new ones. We must bear in mind however that the market is in the doldrums as far as sales go. This is why we should get moving '.
Mrs. De Marchi from COOPERVISION (US multinational with Italian headquarters in Milan): 'Attendance figures were down, there were slightly more people on Friday and Sunday, fewer on Saturday and Monday. But the buyers who did actually come were more interested: the window shoppers who only waste your time were the ones who stayed at home '.
Giovanna Coni, Corporate Communication Officer Hong Kong Trade Development Council: 'All the 49 companies that confirmed their participation, really did come to Mido. The exhibition went better than expected. The trade people were delighted with the cooperation between the HKTDC and Mido: some companies, before leaving for Italy were concerned and skeptical, but the commitment and attention that Mido dedicated to them, was reassuring. We were very happy, because despite all the scaremongering and fuss, attendees were not scared. There was a downturn in orders versus last year, but given the background, we are satisfied. Some companies even made new customers. The overseas visitors at our pavilion said that Sars was in Hong Kong, not at Mido '.
Manuela Brenk, sales manager at F & W FREY & WINKLER (Stein - Germany): 'Attendance was lower this year, we estimated 35% fewer visitors. We made more business contacts than expected, same as in 2002, even though I don't have the official figures yet. The fears associated with Sars turned out to be groundless, practically nobody wore a mask '.
Aldo Cian, owner of LIBERA UGO (Domegge di Cadore - Belluno - Italy): 'We noted much fewer people than the past, but attendees were definitely high caliber and keen to do business. Fewer orders were clinched but I'm quite satisfied overall: this exhibition is an opportunity to promote our company and work on our public relations '.
