Date: 6 November 2009
Attendance figures were higher than initially forecasted: 20,689 total visitors (+ 0.36% higher than the previous exhibition in 2007), with 11,224 from Italy and 9,465 from other countries. Noteworthy was the increase in overseas visitors at +3.68% versus 2007.
Vitrum Director Renata Gaffo confirmed: “The exhibition exceeded all expectations: we saw with our own eyes the industry’s desire to pick up again and the vitality of a sector that has always been a factor of excellence with an international reach.”
Contributing to this year’s success was the focus on energy-saving technologies and the use of renewable energies, among which warm edge, solar panels and solar thermal systems, which were also examined at the Glass and Energy Savings Conference held on Thursday, 29 October at Vitrum Energy.
The live demonstrations by the master glassblowers from Murano (Maestri Muranesi) attracted large crowds. Under the admiring and incredulous eyes of everybody, they created precious, sophisticated glass sculptures with their glassblowing and lampworking techniques. The creative workshops for approx. 250 children at the center of Vitrum Lab also generated a significant amount of interest. This was Vitrum’s first artistic workshop and was sponsored by the Lombardy Region – Education, Training and Employment Office, and the Milan Province, to offer a display to visitors and to help disseminate the artisan art and culture of glassmaking.
Vitrum President Dino Fenzi was fully satisfied: “There was a very significant increase in visitors, especially from other countries, with people spending more time at the exhibition and a large number returning for another visit. Most important of all however, very important contracts were signed: we can say that the atmosphere was a very positive one. We seem to be moving towards optimism: as the saying goes, “Time will tell …”
VITRUM 2009 - Visitors Technical sheet
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