2007 Unibail-Rodamco Annual Report (5,2 Mb)

Convention-exhibition division
‘‘
Our Convention-Exhibition business focuses on providing fi rst-class venues where
our clients, the organisers of trade shows, conventions and corporate events,
can showcase their industry innovations and products. The job of our expert
teams is to create and promote a unique marketplace that will attract a steady
fl ow of potential customers, thanks to its modern facilities, excellent services and
enjoyable atmosphere. The success of our clients’ events is our success!
’’
RENAUD HAMAIDE /// MANAGING DIRECTOR CONVENTION & EXHIBITION FRANCE
PARIS REGION
Convention-Exhibition organises, stages and markets more than
700 trade fairs, conventions and corporate events each year in
Paris and in Paris region, where 80% of this activity in France is
concentrated. Exhibition venues, like today’s shopping centres,
thrive on creating a pleasant, welcoming environment, easy access
and quality service to attract visitors and keep them coming back.
As an active partner of its clients, the division has undertaken a
dynamic strategy to expand the market by acting as a magnet for
new shows. The Group is also pursuing a new ambition to generate
the interest of Paris region residents in the events organised at the
Paris Expo venues.
A WORLD-CLASS COMPETITOR
The milestone for the Division was the agreement signed
on June 5, 2007 and effective in January 2008 between
Unibail-Rodamco and the Paris Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (CCIP) to merge their Convention & Exhibition activities.
The merged venue business named VIPARIS will be jointly owned
by the two partners and managed by Unibail-Rodamco. The new
entity is set to become one of the top destinations in Europe, with
a combined portfolio including Palais des Congrès at Porte Maillot,
Parc d’Expositions at Porte de Versailles, Paris Nord Villepinte,
Le Bourget, CNIT, Carrousel du Louvre, Espace Champerret,
Espace Grande Arche and Palais des Congrès in Versailles.
By consolidating the convention-exhibition resources in Paris and
the Paris region, the partnership will bolster the Group’s position in
the face of European and international competitors. Joining forces
will create a more attractive offer and enable the rapid extension
of exhibition and meeting space to host very large events, foster
innovation and improve service quality and space availability to
encourage the creation of new events and optimise show rotation.
In keeping with the aims of public authorities, the merger will result
in a centre of excellence in the European convention-exhibition
sector to increase the appeal of the region and of France in global
business competition.
The merger with CCIP also covers the events organisation business
with the combination of Exposium and Comexpo into Comexposium
a joint venture to be 50%/50% held by Unibail-Rodamco and
CCIP. Those activities are highly complementary and encompass
well-established trade shows and large public events.
REACHING OUT TO THE PUBLIC
Paris Expo is implementing a broad-based information campaign
addressed to the general public. The billboard campaign aims to
develop a refl ex among the local population to check the calendar
of events and visit the shows.
The printed version of the calendar of the 300 Paris trade fairs and
conventions planned in 2008 came out in January. Three editions
of 200,000 copies are planned per year for distribution.
The Group's website at www.Unibail-Rodamco.com displays a
calendar of scheduled events updated in real time.