On Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 December, Waregem Expo will welcome the first edition of Eventure, the new trade fair for the event sector. This trade fair aims to show organisers of large and small events a diverse and complete range of suppliers. Four months before Eventure, Besa listened to Initiator Chris Baert of Fairs & Events for an update, who tells us how this new trade fair came about and what exactly we can expect.
Many enthusiastic exhibitors
“At Eventure, there will be a wide range of products and services for the event sector. Think of AV equipment, catering, decoration, artists, furniture, printing, party supplies, and much more. There will be something for everyone and exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to a diverse audience. Everything that comes with organizing an event, whether indoor or outdoor. As of today, around 70 exhibitors have already signed up. So you can feel that the enthusiasm is there. That confirms our feeling that there is a shortage of a great platform for the event sector.” Interested in showing your event expertise during Eventure? Then book your stand via www.eventure.pro
Low threshold
Eventure deliberately wants to keep the threshold for exhibitors low. “We offer stand areas of 6, 9 and 12 m². For start-up companies, we have an all-in formula with carpet, walls, lighting and furniture included. Companies that want to be creative, or have a stand themselves, can opt for the bare surface. We have also provided an animation village in the second hall, where we offer stands of 6 m² for €550 excl. VAT, which are really aimed at DJs, artists, magicians or photographers who do not need a lot of space.
Professional, semi-professional and corporate visitors
On the visitor side, the fair is targeting three different profiles. “First of all, these are the event agencies, companies that are professionally involved in organising events for their customers. But we also want to welcome the semi-professional organisers. In Flanders, there are many initiatives that are organised by people who also have a permanent job. These are organisers who also take their event very seriously, but who are not involved in it full-time. Finally, we also target corporate visitors, so the people who are involved in organising events within large companies. They are also always looking for new partners or suppliers.”
Discovering new companies
Eventure also offers an opportunity to look beyond the traditional triangle of Ghent-Brussels-Antwerp. “We notice that the road between Brussels and Antwerp and the East and West Flanders region is sometimes still far. Many events take place in Brussels and Antwerp, but there is also a lot of know-how in East and West Flanders. Our region is very up-and-coming when it comes to events. So it is good that a trade fair is also organised in another province. Eventure is therefore a unique opportunity to discover companies that you might otherwise never come across. Moreover, Waregem Expo is ideally located, close to the E17 exit. We have a large free car park and a hotel on our site.”
Keynote program
In addition to a wide range of exhibitors, Eventure also wants to focus on a strong fringe program with valuable content. “Together with BESA, Event Confederation and Febelux, we are looking into the content for a beautiful and varied keynote program.”
Networking moments
But one of Eventure’s main focuses is networking. “That is crucial for us. On Wednesday afternoon, just before the opening of the fair, we organize a walking dinner, exclusively for the exhibitors. In this way, we set the fair in motion, as it were. Someone who rents out furniture can come into contact with an AV rental company at such a moment. Things can then be created that would otherwise not have been possible. That is what I like about this story. Bringing people together. On Wednesday, November 13, we will bring the exhibitors together for the first time for the information moment, and that is also a networking opportunity. Many people will already be satisfied, even before the fair opens.”
Seize the opportunity as a sector
“If we were to reach 100 exhibitors, I would be very satisfied. And I am convinced that we will succeed. It does not feel like we are the organizer. It feels more like we, together with a number of colleagues from our sector, are all asking for something like this to be organized. But we now have one chance to ensure that we have a Flemish trade fair for our sector. Together, we must seize that chance and ensure that we are there in December,” concludes Chris Baert.
Thanks for the information, Chris. We are looking forward to the Eventure trade fair and wish you every success with the further organization.
Versatile event hall for fairs and congresses in West Flanders – Waregem Expo
