The 25th International Exhibition "Spring in Gomel", which is traditionally organized by the Gomel Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee and the Gomel City Executive Committee, was held on May 23-26.
It is a noticeable and important event in the today's economic life of Gomel region, a parade of achievements of the region's enterprises, a landmark event. But what did it begin with 25 years ago?
The first "Spring in Gomel" was held in 2000 – as an ordinary universal exhibition-fair of consumer goods with about 40 participants. The necessary factors converged, including time and place, demand, historical background – after all, at the same time a great fair had been held in Gomel for a century since the beginning of the 19th century. And the format of the new exhibition changed dramatically in the following year 2001, as well as the interest to it from exhibitors. The event got the status of an international one – more than 90 participants from Gomel region, regions of Belarus, Russia and CIS countries took part in it.
In 2004, the increased importance of the International Universal Exhibition-Fair "Spring in Gomel" was demonstrated by the fact that the opening ceremony was for the first time attended by the region's leaders. They highlighted the prospects and potential of the Exhibition's becoming an important image event for the economic sphere of the region.
The prediction turned out to be correct. "Spring in Gomel" was growing and changing with the times, the requirements to its design and business program content were getting higher. The concept of the Exhibition evolved to the promotion of regional brands: industrial, cultural, historical.
Over 25 years, the Exhibition area has become more than 11 times bigger! Expositions of large-sized equipment, shopping malls were opened, and the Republican Holiday of Craftsmen and Artisans "Gomel Spring" was founded. Over 10 thousand domestic and foreign companies from 50 countries of the world became participants of the Exhibition.
What has the International Exhibition "Spring in Gomel" become by today, after a quarter of a century?
Maintaining the tradition, the opening ceremony was attended by the heads of Gomel region, the city of Gomel, representatives of diplomatic missions, Chambers of Commerce and Industry and business community. The guests and participants of the 25th
International Exhibition "Spring in Gomel" were welcomed by the Chairman of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee Ivan Krupko. The ceremony was attended by Ekaterina Zenkevich, Chairman of the Gomel Regional Council of Deputies, Yuri Gorlov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus – Inspector for Gomel Region, Vladimir Privalov, Chairman of the Gomel City Executive Committee, Marina Filonova, General Director of the Gomel Branch of the BelCCI.
The anniversary exhibition was held at six locations on an area of more than 5.5 thousand square meters. The official partners of the event were 11 leading enterprises of the region; the main regional media were media partners. The events of "Spring in Gomel" were widely covered by the country's leading information and news portals and central television channels.
The exhibition brought together about 200 exhibitors. The business program was attended by delegations from 12 countries: Vietnam, Russia (Bryansk, Orel, Smolensk, Pskov, Nizhny Novgorod, Kaluga, Leningrad regions, St. Petersburg, Udmurt Republic, Mari El Republic), Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Pakistan, Palestine, Myanmar, Zambia, Namibia, Yemen, Nigeria.
The internal area of the Exhibition was formed according to the industry principle. 90 organizations were exhibited here, including foreign participants – from Bryansk and Orel regions, the Udmurt Republic of the Russian Federation, the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Republic of Belarus.
More than 30 units of large-sized equipment was presented in the outdoor area by Belarusian enterprises, including such domestic agricultural engineering brands as OJSC "Gomselmash", CJSC "Amkodor-Gomel", OJSC "Gomelagrokomplekt", and others.
An extensive business program was prepared for the participants and guests of the Exhibition, featuring more than 100 events held in a special presentation area. There were five business matchmaking sessions held, as well as more than 90 negotiations with representatives of foreign delegations and visits to 15 enterprises of the region. A rich individual program was developed for each delegation.
Especially for representatives of marketing services of enterprises, entrepreneurs, artisans and university students, three seminars were organized on the topics "Business promotion on marketplaces and social media. Successful practices of social entrepreneurs", "Souvenir industry in the context of thematic tourism facilities", "The role of the Gomel Branch of the BelCCI in shaping the business environment and finding partners", as well as two roundtable discussions – "Trends in the development of historical and cultural tourism", "Regional tourism design laboratory".
In order to promote the tourism potential and preserve the historical and cultural heritage, the Gomel Branch of the BelCCI traditionally includes some events promoting the main tourist and cultural brands of the region in the concept of the Exhibition. This year, a communication platform – Forum "Catherine's Roads" – took place within the framework of the Exhibition for the first time. It is an important component of the international "Catherine's Roads" project, focused on the development of small territories through the creation of innovative regional tourist sites and routes.
The main attraction of Gomel – the Palace of the Rumyantsevs and the Paskeviches – was chosen as the venue of the forum. The event was organized by the Gomel Branch of the BelCCI, private institution "Territory – 21st Century", co-organizers were the Russian Science and Culture Centre in Gomel, the State Historical and Cultural Institution "The Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble". Expert support was provided by the Cultural Institution "State Russian Museum" (St. Petersburg, Russia).
Participanting in the forum were representatives of the Administration of the Krasnogvardeysky district of St. Petersburg, authorities of Bryansk, Smolensk, Pskov regions, who joined the project of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, teams of the territories of Gomel region.
Traditionally, the Republican Holiday of Craftsmen and Artisans "Gomel Spring" is held as part of "Spring in Gomel". For the tenth time, the Alley of Masters gathered about 100 participants from all over Belarus. Interesting handmade works of art, live communication with colleagues, customers, a unique opportunity for a broad presentation of works, vivid photo reports and impressions in the media and social networks – all these are components of the "Gomel Spring" holiday.
The festive atmosphere at the Exhibition was created by the concert program on the open-air stage: more than 100 performances by creative teams of the city, performances by popular Gomel bands. Fashion shows organized by JSC "Komintern", JSC "8 Marta" and the Art Fashion modeling studio aroused great interest among the "Spring in Gomel" guests and participants.
According to preliminary estimates, the audience of the anniversary Exhibition was 30 thousand people.
The tender committee, established by the organizer, traditionally evaluated the work of exhibitors, stand design, promotional videos about companies, new products presented and tastings. According to the results of the competition, 13 participating organizations were awarded honorary diplomas in various categories. As a rule, the award ceremony is a decoration for the Exhibition closing.
Preserving traditions and setting the bar for the future, the 25th International Exhibition "Spring in Gomel" was successfully held. A new "Spring in Gomel" and new horizons for its development are ahead.
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