Munich`s leisure show, C-B-R, Caravanning-Water Sports-Tourism Exhibition, is expanding: Next year, the range will be broader than ever…
Munich`s leisure show, C-B-R, Caravanning-Water Sports-Tourism Exhibition, is expanding: Next year, the range will be broader than ever, and more focused on the leisure side. This new-style concept, to be implemented in 2004, was decided in close consultation with the Advisory Board of C-B-R.
Efficient trade-fair presentation
By shortening the fair from nine to five days (Saturday to Wednesday) the exhibition organisers are responding in particular to the wishes of exhibitors. Against a background of rising costs and a choice of trade fairs in their field, the exhibitors are wanting to make their presentation as efficient as possible. Simultaneously changing the opening hours also fits in with the wish on the part of visitors to come along to the fair in the week – including in the evening.
Attractive `after-work ticket`
The new `2 plus 3 concept` focuses on the days that traditionally have the highest attendance – that/s the Saturday and Sunday, followed by the first three days in the week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Working people, in particular, will be attracted by the opportunity of visiting the fair on weekday evenings. For, in 2004, the fair will stay open two hours longer from the Monday to the Wednesday, i.e. to 8 p.m., instead of 6 p.m., as in the past. This means that working people will be able to gather information from the fair at the weekend and then go along in the week after work and book that holiday, or place that order. In addition, a visit to the fair in the early evening is also very well-priced: a special `after-work ticket` costs just 5 euros (compared to the normal day-price of 9 euros), and it allows entry to C-B-R any time after 4 p.m.
More space for tourism
The shorter duration of the fair, and the longer opening times are part of a general restructuring of the sections covered by the fair. C-B-R will keep to its familiar three-pillars concept of tourism, caravanning and water sports, but the weighting will shift considerably towards tourism.
In 2004 the section on travel and tourism will cover one more hall (11,000 square metres more), bringing the total for this section to 33,000 square metres. The additional space will enable the range to be greatly expanded. Visitors to C-B-R will find tour operators and country pavilions in these tourism halls, and also extra leisure segments such as outdoor and sports equipment, trekking, well-being products, travel literature and travel medicine.
Tourism halls divided according to geographical region and theme
The range in the tourism halls A5, B5 and A6 will also be restructured and divided up into holiday regions and themes. While in Hall A5 the long-haul destinations will dominate, Hall B5 focuses on the Mediterranean countries. In Hall A6, previously used for water sports, there will be the presentations by the Alpine regions, and also German holiday destinations. The three halls are divided thematically into the sections on camping, cycling and golf (A5), diving (B5) and outdoor and trekking, canoeing and kayaking, well-being, art and culture (A6). The water sports theme of diving, canoeing and kayaking, are thus now integrated into the tourism section of C-B-R.
From a boating fair to a leisure fair with a focus on water sports
In the water sports section, C-B-R is continuing its development from a boating fair to a leisure fair, with water sports as one of its main focuses. This has come about because the majority of C-B-R visitors see water sports primarily as a leisure or holiday activity. And so, the range of boats on display in Hall B6 will in future cover smaller motor boats and sailing boats, inflatables, dinghies and surfboards, plus all the accessories. Also here will be the water sports schools, class associations, charter companies and marinas. C-B-R is thus moving away from the presentation of larger sea-going yachts, which are of greater interest to a more specialised audience.
Retailers and manufacturers in the caravanning section
Still strongly represented is the caravan area in the three halls B3, A4 and B4. Retailers will be exhibiting here and increasingly, also the manufacturers. In fact C-B-R is being supported by the caravan manufacturers association, CIVD, Caravaning Industrieverband e.V. The successful caravan world set up in Hall A3 will be expanded further. Exhibitors in the caravanning section have the opportunity of setting up their presentations on the 1,000 square-metre display area, laid out like a real campsite. On the caravanning stage set up opposite this area, visitors can find out more information in presentations, highlights and information events concerning the subject of caravanning.
Lots of action stages
C-B-R 2004 will also feature an extensive show programme in all three segments, caravanning, water sports and tourism. The show stages and forums in the various halls are arranged to fit in with this new concept. The show stage in Hall A5 will be used for country presentations and by exhibitors in the tourism section, as an additional presentation platform. On the water sports action stage in Hall B6, the themes will be sailing and surfing. In the action area in Hall B5 diving enthusiasts can come along and find out all about their hobby. And, for canoeing fans, there/s the canoeing world in Hall A6, with all kinds of information about the sport of canoeing in Germany, and in particular in the Alpine regions.
One of the biggest public fairs for leisure and tourism
This new-style concept strengthens C-B-R/s profile as one of the biggest public exhibitions for leisure and tourism. It reflects closely the wishes of the sector, and targets new visitor groups through the extra information it presents, and the quality of the presentations. We are also aiming to expand the reach of C-B-R, says Norbert Bargmann, Managing Director of Messe Munchen GmbH.
Trade programme for tourism professionals and water sports experts
C-B-R 2004 also features a range of trade forums, in particular for tourism professionals and water sports experts. One event taking place at C-B-R for the first time is a seminar on `Holiday guests with a handicap` (Sunday, 15 February to Tuesday, 17 February). The organiser is the Deutsches Seminar fur Tourismus (DSFT) Berlin e.V. Well established components in the fair/s accompanying programme are the Mediterranean Skippers Meeting, the Bavarian Tourism Day, the Tourism Symposium, and other trade forums on the theme of tourism. These events underline the trade competence of C-B-R and also make the event interesting and attractive for the professional audience.
C-B-R 2004 takes place from Saturday, 14 February to Wednesday, 18 February 2004 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. Here, on 77,000 square metres of exhibition space in seven halls, over 1,200 exhibitors from more than 65 countries will be putting on their presentations.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
