Perhaps not everyone knows that Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags was not born as an entrepreneurial business devoted solely to a stringent profit logic. Riva del Garda fair was born to provide the territory, which lived largely on seasonal tourism, with an opportunity to work throughout the year. Bringing people to the area and bringing the local economy to life was the real mission, and it still is today, albeit with broader horizons.
“Profit is a means for businesses to achieve other ends. With this purpose Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags was born and continues to work. The purpose is to provide benefits to the territory,” Professor Ericka Costa confirmed during the presentation of data from a research study she led, together with colleague Michele Andreaus, and carried out by the Department of Economics and Management of the University of Trento.
The purpose of the survey is to provide a balance of the socioeconomic impact that Riva del Garda Fierecongressi’s exhibition-congress activity has had on the local economy. Spoiler: the crucial role of the company led by Roberto Pellegrini as a growth engine for the area is confirmed.
In 2023, the total impact (composed of direct, indirect and induced) produced by trade fairs and congresses will exceed 57 million euros. The direct impact, generated through supplier expenses (18.6 million euros), overnight stays (16.9 million euros) and extra-hotel expenses (8.4 million euros) exceeds 44 million euros, between exhibition (26 million euros) and congress activity (over 12 million euros). The indirect and induced impact, related to the production interdependencies generated by the exhibition-congress activity, amounts to 12.9 million euros (2.2 million euros from suppliers, 10.7 million euros from exhibitors, visitors and fitters). The trade fair activity accounts for 60 percent of the direct and 65 percent of the indirect input, while the congress activity contributes 40 percent and 35 percent, respectively.
Specifically, Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags produced a total induced revenue in overnight stays of 7,422,148 euros, while extra-hotel expenses in favor of the territory – between exhibitors, visitors and stand builders – amounted to 2,506,516 euros in January and 2,618,007 in June.
Figures that in themselves might be of much value to those who live in the area while little to those in the footwear and leather goods industry. In reality it says a lot to them as well, because it tells of an event that is not bound by political or entrepreneurial logics typical of the trade fair scene, but that having as its mission ‘the good of the territory’ enjoys the freedom to move, evolve, renew and innovate to ensure that the events it organizes are always fruitful and useful for those who attend them, so as to convince them to return.
“In recent years, our Society has faced unprecedented challenges, demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt and innovate to respond in a timely manner to the needs of a constantly evolving market, thus maintaining our leadership at the international level. The research confirms this and confirms us in our willingness to continue to propose initiatives that facilitate business for both exhibitors and visitors and the territory,” said Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi.
