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Medfel, which wrapped up last week, is anannual trade fair dedicated to the Mediterranean fruit and vegetable sector.It's put on by the French region of Languedoc-Roussillon, and it bringstogether European, Egyptian and Moroccan producers with potential buyers fromall over the world. This year's event, according to Ahmad Monhem, one of theevent's organizers, drew larger crowds than ever before.
“We have 225 exhibitors and about 5,000visitors this year,” said Ahmad Monhem. His company has been contracted to puton the event since 2008, and since that first fair five years ago, attendancenumbers have steadily increased. In 2008, 150 exhibitors and 3,000 visitorsparticipated, and last year 210 exhibitors and 4,000 visitors took part in theevent. So the crowds have been getting larger. But Ahmad Monhem pointed outthat the goal is still to bring together high-quality participants to make theevent worthwhile for the companies that attend.
“We'll organize about 3,800business-to-business meetings between buyers and sellers from all over theworld,” said Ahmad Monhem. This year they also featured producers from Egyptand designated the citrus from there as the fair's featured product. Bringingin countries outside the Mediterranean region is part of the strategy to growthe fair, but at the same time maintaining the right kind of crowd.
“We recruit select buyers,” explained AhmadMonhem. “We ask for their references, we check the volumes they handle, and wedo this to find the biggest and best buyers.” Medfel also featurespresentations and talks from industry figures and dignitaries. This year'sevent featured talks from France's Agricultural Minister as well as theEgyptian ambassador to France. Television coverage was present, and the talkswere to be made available on Medfel's website after the conference. Thoseadded-value touches, along with a good mix of buyers and exhibitors, is whatmakes the conference successful, and Ahmad Monhem said they'll continue on thattrack in the future.
“It's difficult to put on something likethis in the present economic context, but we're confident we can continue toput on something that satisfies our clients and exhibitors,” said Ahmad Monhem.“Though the target is not to get something like 50,000 visitors, we hope tohave more visitors and exhibitors in the future while always maintaining aprofessional image.”
For more information please visit www.medfel.com