Posidonia 2014 sets new visitors’ record as organisers focus on 2016 event
Posidonia 2014 ended on a high note last week creating new event records in both the number of unique visitors and participating countries, in a further testament to the enduring appeal and growing popularity of the world’s biggest, most diverse and prestigious shipping event, the event organizer Posidonia Exhibitions said in a press release.
A total of 19.421 visitors walked the ambient corridors of the four Athens Metropolitan Expo halls during Posidonia week registering a ten per cent increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous event two years ago. They came to meet with members of the Greek shipowning community as well as representatives from 1.843 exhibitors from a total of 93 countries - another Posidonia record and the most tangible of proofs about the show’s global appeal.
And as the dust from the dismantling of the exhibitors’ stands and pavilions has settled, Posidonia organisers are confident that the 2016 event, scheduled from 6 to 10 June 2016 at the same state-of-the-art Metropolitan Expo venue, will be an equally successful and productive event for all exhibitors.
“Forward bookings look exceptionally encouraging and we are confident that the success of this year’s Posidonia will be emulated in two years’ time,” said Dimitra Michael, Managing Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. “Shipping is slowly rebounding because global trade conditions are improving and the busier our oceans become over the next 24 months, the more optimism we will witness on the Posidonia 2016 floor space”, she added.
Major Posidonia exhibitors, including the organisers of the national pavilions of the Netherlands, Japan, Turkey and Denmark, as well as major exhibitors such as ABB, Transas, MAN Diesel and Turbo, Alfa Laval, Marichem Marigases and many more have already confirmed their participation for Posidonia 2016.
“Posidonia‘s strong links with the Greek shipping community and its proven track record as the place where deals get done, are two of the most important assets that distinguish this event in the minds of the global maritime community. Our reputation for successfully blending business deals and networking with a compelling conferences and seminars agenda, enriched by the Posidonia Games, our sporting events, makes Posidonia’s floor space a coveted real estate asset for every member of the international maritime industry”, said Michael.
Many exhibitors agree: Nawfal Al Jourani, the communications manager of Dubai Maritime City Authority, said: “During Posidonia we have made tones of connections with potential business partners. We feel that the Greek maritime environment is the ideal place for Dubai to promote its varied maritime sector services and product offerings,” he said.
Antonio Tacquis from Panama Shipping Services said: “I have made so many deals through Posidonia that I think I have to double my staff in Panama to handle the new demand”.
Capt Dwain E. Hutchinson, Master Mariner Deputy Director of the Bahamas Maritime Authority had this year the chance to come to Greece for the first time: He said: “Through our Posidonia presence we promoted the holistic offering of the Bahamas, from our ship registry and ship yards to our financial sector and tourism product”.
On behalf of the Posidonia lanyards sponsor, John Smyrnaios, Manager for Greece & Cyprus of ABB said: “Walking around Posidonia for five days almost 20.000 visitors were wearing black lanyards with ABB branding on them. We simply must be present and visible here at Posidonia. The market demands to see us here as the size of our company doesn’t allow us to be anywhere else”.
Posidonia is sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners’ Association and the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies.