A Day in the Life of the Fiera Del Levante: Southern Italy's Biggest Trade Show

"Staggering". That the only word I can find that describes not only the number of people present, but also the number of exhibitors and their wares. The Bari Trade Fair - known throughout Europe as the "Fiera del Levante" (fair of flags) hosted an incredible 2,500 exhibitors from Europe and abroad and an estimated 700,000 visitors. The fair - which lasted from September 10-17 - is THE premier trade show in the Puglia Region, generating an estimated 100 million euro to the local economy and that's not including the individual sales and profits of each exhibitor present.�

Attending the Fiera Levante has become an annual odyssey for my wife and me. Even though I've tried to find excuses for not going, I can't seem to stay away. I'm not a big "shopper" but this is more than just shopping. The Fiera del Levante is different people, cultures, food and music. Kind of like traveling the world with out leaving the comfort of your home.�

This is the largest market of its kind in the south. Although the Fiera del Levante mainly serves the large Central and Southern Italian market, its activities extend to the Balkans and the Mediterranean Area. While hundreds of thousands of men, women ad children are enjoying the sights and sounds and spending their money at the same time, behind the scenes the trade fair acts as a conduit for business: what is referred to as the "Business Exchange" Center at the fair promotes contacts between exhibitors and foreign entrepreneurs and dealers and assists them in their negotiations. The Center has been estimated to produce foreign trade worth hundreds of millions of euro (but to be honest this mainly in the sectors regarding machinery for agriculture and the building industry, power tools and some durables (first and foremost, computers, software, and furniture).�