FIAA 2017 held its most international edition
Having received the visit of 10,041 professionals from 47 countries, FIAA 2017, the International Bus and Coach Trade Fair closed its doors for another edition. Held from 23 to 26 May in halls 7 and 9 of IFEMA, the trade fair showcased the latest proposals and innovations from 128 companies and 240 brands, leaders in the manufacture of bodywork, chassis, full vehicles, as well as companies specialised in accessories, technology, maintenance and infrastructures for passenger transport.
An edition that has been especially noteworthy due to its pronounced international character, from all perspectives. This is shown by the growth in the number of foreign professionals – mainly coming from Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Latin American countries -, which accounted for 14% of the total number of visitors. These figures showcase that this year’s edition was the best in recent times.
With regard to the international offer, the trade fair brought together companies from 13 countries, which represented 25% of the participation in FIAA. Total participation also increased by 23%, which meant that 20% more surface area was dedicated to the event, figures that place this edition as the third best edition in terms of occupancy in the history of FIAA and consolidates the recovery that began with its last edition.
Additionally, the national reach of this event has also been significant. It has welcomed professionals from across Spain, including the Canary Islands, and, after Madrid, representing a little over 39% of visitors, the autonomous regions with the most participants were, in descending order, Catalonia, Andalusia, the Basque Country and Valencia.
Highly qualified professionals
With regard to the profile of visitors according to their segment and activity, figures show that this edition assembled highly qualified professionals. To this end, noteworthy is the high number of visitors representing the largest fleets (in excess of 30 vehicles), 37% of the total, as well as the increased attendance of representatives from local and regional administrations, with 6% of visitors. Additionally, 65% of registered visitors were listed as holding managerial positions within their companies –general directors and managers, operating directors and technical directors -, which confirms the importance of FIAA for professionals.
Activities
FIAA also hosted the presentation of the Minibus of the Year Award, which was won by the Daily Tourys model of Iveco, and which was announced by Tom Terjesen, jury president for this award, included for the first time within the catalogue of the European International Bus & Coach of the Year Awards. Miguel Sáez director of the magazine Autobuses y Autocares and Spanish member of the jury, was entrusted with presenting the award, which was collected by Sylvain Blaise, Vice-president of iveco.
FIAA completed its offering with the Exhibition of Historical Buses, urban and interurban, which showcased an interesting perspective of the world of buses throughout time, through eight emblematic vehicles belonging to Autocares Lázara, EMT, Empresa Montes, Julián de Castro, and Sagalés.
The trade fair was inaugurated by the Minister of Public Works, Iñigo de la Serna, in a ceremony that was also attended by the Director General for Road Transport, from the Ministry of Public Works, Joaquín del Moral, in addition to representatives from ASCABUS, CONFEBUS, ANETRA, ATUC, and IFEMA, among other personalities
