With reference to an article which appeared in the Times of Malta (October 3, 2006), under the heading ‘Trade Fair, Sign-it agree to join forces’, I would like to give the exhibitors’ points of view.
It could be perceived by some, that the Malta Trade Fairs Corporation is a government entity. The fact is that this is a non-government organization (ngo) which is profit-making but not sharing. (The exhibitors on the Board of Directors would like to maintain this status). This means that any profit made over the years, have been specifically used to up-grade and maintain the Fairgrounds, as well as accumulating reserves and assets for the eventuality of moving to other premises.
The Malta Trade Fairs Corporation is made up of two representatives of each of the following: the Federation of Industry, the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the General Retailers and Traders Union and the Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, The Malta Government, exhibitors from the preceding fair and four representing the Trade Fairs Exhibitors Association. It has to be pointed out that for the last four years the Government has chosen not to nominate any representative.
It is true that we were not successful in buying 100/200 tumoli of freehold land at Ta’ Qali, known as Flower Power. This was due to the fact that MEPA had twice refused our application to build our new venue to enable us to hold fairs and conferences, as well as developing a family theme park which would have included facilities such as, cycling/jogging tracks, water sports, picnic areas, etc.
During the inauguration of the 48th edition of the International Trade Fair of Malta 2005, the Prime Minister, had appealed that the Trade Fair would form a “synergy”. This concept was later explained during a meeting of the of the Board of Directors with the Prime Minister, to enlighten us as to what our future direction should take and outlining government’s intentions where Fairs are concerned. He further explained that the Government had indicated to us that a tender would be issued for a site near the Malta Football Association premises at Ta’Qali and this tender would be issued by October 2005.
As the Prime Minister had informed us, that there is “only scope for one fair and conference centre”, contacts were made with Sign-it to begin negotiations regarding the possibility of setting up this synergy. From the start Sign-it made it clear that before we even started these discussions, we had to agree to the purchase of a huge tent (tensioned fabric structure) to which suggestion the six exhibitor representatives on the Board objected. This objection was based on the fact that we felt that the construction of a multi-purpose halls complex would be much more feasible to our future plans as well as making more logical financial and business sense. Our bone of contention regarding the purchase of this tent was that this would only be a temporary, expensive to erect and maintain, solution. The cost to purchase, prepare site, and erect this tent, would be equivalent to constructing a permanent building. To clarify, we were never against the proposal of forming a new company or ‘synergy’. We were against being dictated to on how to spend the hard earned savings, which we had put aside for the future of the Fair.
In fact, to date, still no tender has been issued for the land in question.
The letter published in the Times is also contradicting. Whereas some members of the constituted bodies have indicated that the demands of the exhibitors did not make sense and were a no-go, other members confirmed that the pressure from the exhibitors over the past 12 months have produced a much better deal for the Trade Fair. Notwithstanding this achievement, the exhibitors still strongly feel that the agreement, as it stands today, is not particularly in favour of the Trade Fair and are concerned that this may reflect negatively on the participation of the exhibitors in the near future.
Regarding the “boycotting” of the meeting of Tuesday, 26 September, this is far from the truth. The fact is that members of the board could not attend as this date clashed with the elections to elect two representatives of the exhibitors on the board. Prior to this meeting, this fact had been pointed out by our legal adviser.
While it is being stated that everything was concluded at this meeting and that the tent is on the way, all we know as of today, is that no permit has as yet been issued by MEPA for the location of this tent.
Of course the concept of the fair has to change. We need to develop and diversify. We have for years been striving to work towards this aim. However change has to be achieved in the most professional and businesslike manner possible.
Alfred V Calleja
President
Trade Fairs Exhibitors Association