 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIA, Promoción del Vitoria Airport will host the next Air Cargo Forum (ACF),
to be held in the Basque Country in September 2004. Air Cargo Forum is the main air cargo event
in the world. This event is held every two years on a rotational basis between EUROPE, AMERICA
and ASIA, so the BASQUE COUNTRY will take over from the 2002 holders, HONG KONG, WASHINGTON
(2000) and PARIS (1998).
ACF 2002 in Hong Kong achieved figures considered by TIACA to be a great success.
|
 |
7,500 m² of exhibition space |
|
|
4,750 visitors |
|
|
800 delegates |
|
|
350 stands with a total of 750 workers |
|
|
700 persons present at the VIA gala dinner. |
The first challenge VIA had to face as hosts was the presentation of ACF 2004 at ACF 2002 in
Hong Kong. To do this, it had a large stand at the exhibition centre and offered the gala
dinner which rounded off the event.
The institutions of the Basque Country, the province of Álava and the city of Vitoria
backed this event with their presence reflecting the commitment, enthusiasm and general
agreement all institutions with regard to the development project of Vitoria Airport. The President
of VIA, Promoción del Vitoria Airport, S.A. and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
of Álava, Mr. Josu de Lapatza, acted as host together with the former Minister of Industry, Commerce
and Tourism, Mr. Josu Jon Imaz, the Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Mr. Alfonso Alonso and the Vice
President of the Provincial Council of Álava, Mr. Carlos Samaniego.
VIA had a
magnificent stand of 140 m² at the entrance to the exhibition centre. The aim of the stand
was, on the one hand, to promote the airport and on the other, to present the Basque Country
as the venue for ACF 2004. To do this, besides the presence of delegations from BA World
Cargo, DECOEXSA, DHL-EAT, HEGAN, IBERIA and VIAS, the stand displayed a series of spectacular
images on the economy, cultural and geography of the Basque Country, as well as the
operating capacity
of Vitoria Airport. Without doubt, it was one of the most imposing stands in the fair
and attracted a large number of visitors.
VIA's night began with a cocktail served in the Atrium of the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre before the dinner. Those who were able to go to the gala enjoyed an
exhibition entitled "Produced in Vitoria, valued throughout the world" which displayed
products made by companies based in Vitoria next to panels providing information on the
most important characteristics of their production plants. The following companies offered
their generous support:
This presentation also contained posters of
Vitoria-Gasteiz and Rioja Alavesa.
The aim of the gala dinner
was to contrast the TRADITION and MODERNITY of the Basque Country as a nation with deep-rooted
traditions but which is constantly evolving, ever open to the world. The merging of these two
identities was eloquently expressed in the cuisine of the restaurateur Fernando Canales who,
together with three of his chefs and 80 Chinese chefs from the Hong Kong Convention Centre,
prepared a number of innovative recipes based on the most significant ingredients of Basque
cuisine, such as cod, leeks, anchovies and "Pacharan" (a kind of sloe gin). The dinner, which
was accompanied by a splendid wine form the Rioja Alavesa, was attended by more than 700
people.
Besides gastronomy, the other important protagonist on the night was music. Recently
nominated for the Grammy Awards, Kepa Junkera,
together with his group and two dancers from the AUKERA group, offered a demonstration of the
use of ancient instruments such as the txalaparta to express modern rhythms, to the surprise
of all those who attended the dinner, who did not hesitate to join the dancers. The gala was
presented by Anne Igartiburu,
who led the proceedings with her customary professionalism, enhanced by her beauty and elegance.
To round off the dinner, Jose María Olazábal appeared in a recorded message to invite everyone
to come to Air Cargo Forum 2004, repeating the slogan that VIA had chosen for that night....
WE’LL
BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Competitive advantages
Location