1. IJV-IFAS npo - Ghent - BELGIUM Since 1946

2. IJV-IFAS npo Flanders International Trade Expo

3. Flanders International Trade Expo is a general trade fair for the consumer public with important side events for professionals under the Patronage of H.M. the King of Belgium. IJV-IFAS npo An active, commercial, information and guidance platform

4. Location Flanders Expo City of Ghent Province of East-Flanders Flanders region Belgium Hart of Europe IJV-IFAS npo

5. Facts & Figures (Edition 2014) Number of exhibition halls : 4 Total surface : 30 000 m 2 Number of exhibitors : +/- 250 Special events Special decoration : Avenues,... Total Number of visitors : 75 000 consumers IJV-IFAS npo

6. 1965 : France 1966 : Spain 1967 : Italy 1968 : Germany 1969 : Tunisia 1970 : Spain 1971 : Austria 1972 : Ivory Coast 1973 : Algeria 1974 : Great Britain 1975 : Switzerland 1976 : Japan 1977 : Greece 1978 : Finland 1979 : Morocco 1980 : China 1981 : India 1982 : Tunisia 1983 : Spain 1984 : France 1985 : Algeria 1986 : Korea 1987 : Poland 1988 : Turkey 1989 : Taiwan 1990 : Egypt 1991 : Austria 1992 : Brazil 1993 : Tunisia 1994 : Italy 1995 : Jordan 1996 : Chile 1997 : Saudi Arabia 1998 : Czech Republic 1999 : Hungary 2000 : Pakistan 2001 : Egypt 2002 : Tunisia 2003 : La Wallonie (Belgium 2004 : “Het Vlakke Land” (Benelux) 2005 : China & Hebei Province 2006 : Vietnam 2007 : Free State & Mangaung 2008 : India 2009 : Turkey & Izmir 2010 : Indonesia 2011 : Saudi Arabia 2012 : Pistoia (Italy) 2013 : Nepal 2014 : Vietnam (Can Tho) 2015 : Pakistan 2016 : ? 1965 : France 1966 : Spain 1967 : Italy 1968 : Germany 1969 : Tunisia 1970 : Spain 1971 : Austria 1972 : Ivory Coast 1973 : Algeria 1974 : Great Britain 1975 : Switzerland 1976 : Japan 1977 : Greece 1978 : Finland 1979 : Morocco 1980 : China 1981 : India 1982 : Tunisia 1983 : Spain 1984 : France 1985 : Algeria 1986 : Korea 1987 : Poland 1988 : Turkey 1989 : Taiwan 1990 : Egypt 1991 : Austria 1992 : Brazil 1993 : Tunisia 1994 : Italy 1995 : Jordan 1996 : Chile 1997 : Saudi Arabia 1998 : Czech Republic 1999 : Hungary 2000 : Pakistan 2001 : Egypt 2002 : Tunisia 2003 : La Wallonie (Belgium 2004 : “Het Vlakke Land” (Benelux) 2005 : China & Hebei Province 2006 : Vietnam 2007 : Free State & Mangaung 2008 : India 2009 : Turkey & Izmir 2010 : Indonesia 2011 : Saudi Arabia 2012 : Pistoia (Italy) 2013 : Nepal 2014 : Vietnam (Can Tho) 2015 : Pakistan 2016 : ? Guest of Honour of the Flanders International Trade Expo IJV-IFAS npo

7. Invitation to become the guest of honour There are two conditions: 1. Build a pavilion at the exhibition on a area of +/- 1000m 2. 2. This area has to be tastefully furnished and manned to a high standard, and should contain typical, cultural and touristical elements. The costs of furnishing, equipment and manning (including overnight accommodation and transport) are paid by the guest of honour. South Africa - Free State - 2007 The Walloon Region, Belgium - 2003 Potential purpose of international participation A country can make use of its participation to exhibit many different aspects. The most obvious objective is to stimulate tourism or to highlight specific products or services that are already on the Belgian market or which will soon be launched. For businessmen, the seminar-days are the ideal moment to promote import/export opportunities or possible investment programmes, and to establish new contacts helping the economy and relations between both countries. If these conditions are fulfilled, the organiser will provide the area free of charge and there will be full coverage of the country in the Expo communication campaign. The success of a foreign presence is highly dependent on well-chosen content and also on the attractiveness of the stand. Interaction with visitors is not a must, but is highly recommended as it generates the visitors’ interest. Direct sales to consumers is an opportunity for all participating companies. IJV-IFAS npo

8. GuestofHonour Province of East Flanders Flanders International Trade Expo City of Ghent A public relations platform with strong partners Exhibition: Large surface at the Expo 75 000 visitors general public Extensive communication campaign Cultural program Tourist Offices Musea Festivals Official libraries Cultural events Business program Chambers of Commerce Port of Ghent Flanders Investment and Trade Flemish Government Belgian Government Ghent University IJV-IFAS npo

9. Opening ceremony Opening day - 10:00 AM Alongside the representative from the Royal Palace, many ministers, ambassadors, city and province dignitaries, and business leaders will be at the extensive opening ceremony. The guest of honour will be given special coverage. The ceremony is followed by a an official visit to the pavilion at the exhibition. Culture Once a country affirms its participation in the Expo, the City of Ghent gears a lot of cultural events. If the guest of honour provides a cultural delegation, these artists can perform both at the Trade Expo and in Ghent. Seminar days Flanders Trade Expo is a consumer trade Expo. But during the seminar contact days, B2B relations are the centre of attention. IJV-IFAS npo

10. Guest of Honour B2BB2CCULT Preparation force Stand builders Stand Sales representatives Exhibiting companies Performers Artists (Acoustic, dance,...) Universities Investment Promotion Agencies Trade & Industry departments Official delegation (Government, Embassy...) +/- 1000m 2 Exhibition surface Information & direct sales General public (75 000 consumers) Musea Official libraries Festivals Cultural events Stage areas Seminar Days Chambers of Commerce University & Port of Ghent Flanders Investment and Trade Flemish & Belgian Government Massive communication campaign - Media publicity & Press articles IJV-IFAS npo

11. Communication with the general public Around 75 000 people can visit the stand over the nine days. In order to generate interest in the individual visitor, you should definitely present your information in a interactive and spectacular way. One possible method is to build up a concept using “layers of information” Outer layer Keywords: Attracting attention, a spectacle, a show, light effects, multimedia, beauty. The content is subservient to the display. The first layer acts as a lure to generate interest of the visitor and to get him to come over to the stand. Large (identifiable) pictures and slogans provide summary information on what the stand has to offer. In some cases you can even carefully play on the incorrect prejudices of the visitor, in order to then mould them into a positive new image of the country in the middle layer. Middle layer You now have the visitor’s attention. The middle layer is used to link an image to your company or product. Content and display are now equally important. Information on the products or specific characteristics of your company should be clearly highlighted. The middle layer will again become a surprise element after the visitor has been confronted with his own prejudices in the outer layer. Inner layer: You still have the visitor’s attention and he has now formed a new and more detailed image of your company or product. The inner layer is used for entering into discussions with the visitor or to conclude sales. Specific information is given during contact with the stand representatives or by handing out brochures or gadgets. China - 2005 HRH Prince Filip visiting the guest pavilion IJV-IFAS npo

12. Guest of Honour Sept Official announcement Okt - Dec Content preperation Jan - Mar Stand concept B2B content Partners Apr - Jun Final practical preperations Official Ceremonies Invitations Sept Official opening Flanders Trade Expo Timing VISA applications Transport and customs related issues VISA applications Transport and customs related issues IJV-IFAS npo

13. Flanders International Trade Expo