ExpoForum’s new facility is attracting major tradeshows to St. Petersburg, Russia, according to Gregory Zaraisky, managing director of Reed Exhibitions’ Russian office. Zaraisky made his comments at the recent signing of an agreement finalizing the terms for organizing the PAP-FOR Russia exhibition at the currently under construction ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Center.
“We see the signing of this agreement as just the beginning of further collaboration,” said Zaraisky. “Starting with a project which already has a good foothold in Russia, we plan to bring to St. Petersburg such world-class brands as the heating and ventilation industry exhibition, Aqua-Therm, and the professional cosmetics and equipment exhibition for beauty salons and schools, INTERCHARM Professional.”
The agreement signed between Reed Exhibitions Russia and ExpoForum covers the rental of 17,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space from October 28–31, 2014, for PAP-FOR Russia. The exhibition is the largest international event in Eastern Europe catering to the paper, forestry, processing and packaging industries. The agreement covers a four-year period from 2014 to 2018.
According to Sergei Voronkov, executive director of ExpoForum, construction of the new conference center is on schedule, and the first exhibitions will take place there in early 2014.
“Signing agreements such as these is an indication that the complex is coming to life, that events are being put together and exhibition space is being sold,” said Voronkov. “It must also be said that signing this agreement with the world leader in the exhibition business, Reed Exhibitions, is not only a great honor for us, but for the city as a whole.”
A number of other Russian and foreign operators have also expressed their intention to hold conferences and exhibitions at the new ExpoForum center.
