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`Net set to change face of trade fairs'

Our Bureau

MUMBAI, Dec. 8

INTERNET technology is entering even mundane journalistic chores such as press conferences, which essentially entail meeting in person.

Proof of this was had on December 6 when global trade fair major, KolnMesse GmbH, of Germany held an Internet-based press conference from Cologne with journalists in over ten countries.

Mr Fritz Schramma, Lord Mayor of Cologne and Chairman of the supervisor board of KolnMesse, addressed the press meet, followed by Mr Jochen Witt, President and Chief Executive Officer.

According to Mr Schramma, while Germany still remained the top country for trade fairs worldwide, there was growing realisation that all German trade fair organisers must co-operate more closely and take advantage of the synergies that would result. The process has already started, he said.

As proof of this, he pointed out, last November, the two popular cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf shed their rivalry to establish a joint venture to stage trade fairs in India.

``This year, the new company started business and is currently putting together a programme for trade fairs in New Delhi and Mumbai between 2001 and 2005,'' Mr Schramma said.

Talking about globalisation and digitisation, Mr Witt said that KolnMesse will harness the potential of the new media whereby customers can book many of the services via the Internet.

The tradefair major has drawn up ambitious plans for becoming a global marketing partner for its exhibitors, regardless of where in the world they present their products.

Starting 2001, it will be possible to construct stands virtually on the Internet. This will facilitate planning, design and logistics. The next step would be inclusion of product presentation on the websites of trade fairs, Mr Witt stated.

To a question whether the seamless world of Internet would lead to a decline in human interaction at the physical level and what would such a development hold for the future of trade fairs which essentially involve one-to-one meeting of people, Mr Witt w as quick to point out that the Internet as a medium will never be able to replace human contact as people would always want to meet and talk face to face. ``If anything, the new technology will help bring people closer.''

On his future plans for tradefair forays into India, Mr Witt said that he was awaiting some clearances in Germany. ``So far we have not decided on any collaboration with anyone in India.''