CFIF conducts Training on "Effective International Trade Fair Participation"

What’s the most important part in Trade Fair Participation? preparation stage, during the event or the post fair? The answer is: ALL.

Tom Willemse, a CBI Consultant emphasized that every part of trade fair participation is crucial since all part of the pre, on, and post activities of trade participation contributes to the overall performance in attending the fair.

Attended by 22 participants from different companies who are ready to participate in the upcoming Cebu X 2008 show on March 6 – 9, the seminar dubbed “Effective International Trade Fair Participation” is organized by CFIF in cooperation with CBI of the Netherlands. Esteemed Trainor’s Tom Willemse of Intraservice Netherlands and Johan Laman represented CBI and held run-through on the basics of Trade fair participation. The seminar was held in the seminar room of CFIF’s new building along North Road Jagobiao, Mandaue City last September 26-27, 2008.

The seminar also included tackled topics on exhibition strategy, exhibition selection, stand design and decoration, the buying and selling process, getting visitors to your stand and stand behavior. Mr. Willemse and Mr. Laman also gave individual counseling to exhibitor’s who participated the seminar.

The participants we’re Velma Alicaya, Susan Genson, Rowena Alterado, Cecille Genson, and Carolyn Seno of Venus Craft; Bridget mariposa of APY Came, May Sarmiento of PhilExport Cebu, Karla Batiquin of Design Ventures, Inc.m Don Bartolota (Wireworks), Ernst Rama (NCB Industries), Charlene Lim and Jen Siarot Arden Classic, Inc., Charmaine Ong (Angel Whispers Gifts and Crafts, Eric Casas and Agnes Casas (Kirsten International), Carmen Rodriguez (Accessoria, Inc), Cristina Gaston (Hacienda Crafts Co. Inc.), Charmaine Basubas (Diamond Cane International) with Irene Ngosiok, Ruben Licera, Bert Dico, Rosemel Calderon, Lalyn Lumapas, and Marilou Matura of Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF).

The CBI (Center for the promotion of Imports from developing countries) is an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The CBI was established in 1971. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of developing countries by strengthening the competitiveness of companies from these countries on the EU market. The CBI considers social values and compliance with the most relevant environmental requirements to be an integral part of it’s policy and activities.

IN PHOTO: Tom Willemse and Johan Laman of the Netherlands CBI flanked with some of the participants of the training.

CBI INTFAIR XVII Participants

The participants of the recently concluded Intfair XVII seminar held at Hilton Rotterdam, Netherlands from August 29 to September 7, 2007.

My 1st EURO TRIP ...

How would you feel if you’ve just been sent to Europe for an international training for FREE? That would be fabulous…fantastic!

And I’m fortunate to experience it now.

Yesterday, I finally received my passport with Schengen VISA for my trip and training in The Netherlands (also known as Holland). Two hours later , I finally booked my trip. Thanks to Destination Specialist (Cebu).

This training will be conducted by internationally accredited consultants and specialist hired by CBI (Center for the promotions of imports from developing countries) to coach us market development specialist from developing countries (like the Philippines).

CBI has sponsored for my accommodation at the Hilton Rotterdam Hotel and some amount for my fare to the venue, while CFIF, where I am working now, will shoulder my training allowance.

Titled CBI Intfair XVII, this seminar will commence on the 29th day of August and will end on September 7 at The Hilton Hotel, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

CBI Intfair XVII

The IntFair training aims to improve the knowledge and skills of BSO staff in the field of collective trade fair participations in Europe. The programme consists of a mix of lectures, a case study, field visits and group exercises.

During the training programme the following subjects will be covered:
· selection of suitable exhibitions;
· criteria and procedures for selecting exhibitors,
· stand lay-out and design principles,
· project management including budgeting and financing,
· promotion and public relations.

To visit a major fair organizer and an international trade fair in Europe are part of the programme. I guess we're travelling to Germany for this.

The training programme is designed in such a way that it allows the participants to combine their own experiences with the knowledge gained during the training.

In preparation of the training participants we had completed a pre-training assignment and had taken part in two e-learning session conducted by our assigned trainor.

What is more exciting about this trip is that I get to travel on 3 different planes and a train trip to get to the venue. Based on my official itinerary, here are my schedules: I’ll fly to Manila on the 26th to catch a very early Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong on the 27th. From Hong Kong, I’ll board an Air France Boeing 777 plane to Paris, France and Amsterdam, Netherlands in Schiphol Airport. From there, I’ll take a 1 hour and 15 minutes train ride to Rotterdam via Eurail.

I’m just excited like anyone else. For sure this trip will be an experience of a lifetime.

Europe here I come!

PHOTO CAPTION: A view of the windmills of Amsterdam, Netherlands at night.