International Visitors Center helps 2,000 attendees
Don’t be surprised to hear languages other than English spoken while strolling the show floor. Of the 20,000 people expected to attend, approximately 2,000 attendees from more than 80 countries—with Canada, Mexico and China most represented—are expected at NA 2008.
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 4/18/2008 11:20:00 AM
Don’t be surprised to hear languages other than English spoken while strolling the show floor. Of the 20,000 people expected to attend, approximately 2,000 attendees from more than 80 countries—with Canada, Mexico and China most represented—are expected at NA 2008.“We’re seeing a continued internationalization of the event from show to show,” says John Nofsinger, CEO of show sponsor the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). “Growth in international attendance is not just coming from the developed nations now, but also from many of the developing nations who are establishing a material handling and logistics culture and are becoming part of extended supply chains.”
The delegations themselves have changed, too, says Nofsinger. “For example, with the delegations now coming from the developing nations, instead of being made up largely of bureaucrats, they’re made up largely of business owners,” he says. “We see that particularly with China, whose attendees are more likely to represent privatized industry than the government.”
Regardless of their affiliation, these foreign visitors can find a kind of home away from home at the International Visitors Center. Located near the main attendee registration area and sponsored by MHIA, the center offers multiple services. These include translators to help answer questions, private meeting rooms, international trade experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce that are available to address import and export concerns, telephones and light refreshments during show hours.
Additionally, the International Matchmaker Program helps foreign attendees locate the exhibitors offering products and services they’ve come to the show to seek. Powered by database software, this free service pairs exhibiting companies interested in exporting their products with international attendees based on product category, business category and/or geographic location to maximize personal contacts. Matchmaker results are available at the International Visitors Center.
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