SWITZERLAND – Geneva exhibition venue Palexpo is building a new 5,500sqm hall as well as expanding and redesigning its existing Hall 3.
The expansion project fulfills a demand for space made evident by this year’s edition of the Geneva International Motor Show, which took place on 3-13 March.
Show director Rolf Studer told EW he had toturn a number of companies away from this year’s event, and could have done with an additional 10,000sqm to accommodate lost business.
The new development plans at Palexpo will deliver an additional 7,200sqm of space, as part of the existing venue, with room for temporary expansion in the park to the front of the site.
“We will build a new Hall 3 which will be larger and with a new design,” said Palexpo MD Claude Membrez.
The construction of a completely new hall will begin in 2011 and is expected to be completed in time for the 2013 edition of themotor show.
Palexpo celebrates its 30th anniversary in November, and according to Membrez, is on course to experience its most successful year since doors opened in 1981. Much of this can be attributed to the growth insupporting amenities, including increased investment in hotels.
“For some big international events like the Geneva Motor Show, it can be difficult to find accommodation during the press days in the city centre,” added Membrez.
“However the city invested in the construction of several new hotels over the last three years. Public transport is well organised and serves the Palexpo area regularly.”
Forty-five per cent of the motor show’s visitors, Studer claims, come from outside Switzerland. He attributed this largely toPalexpo adjoining the international airport terminal.
The Geneva Motor Show’s growth comes in contrast to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ decision to cancel the British International Motor Show.
For a full interview with both Claude Membrez and Rolf Studer, see the April edition of Exhibition World.
