The last EQUIP HOTEL was a huge success with 107,091 professional visitors and 1,450 exhibitors - 26% international from 29 countries. What makes your trade fair so successful?
Yumna CHABROL: Equip’hotel’s strength lies in the diversity and all-encompassing range of its offering, both in products and representation from the French and international industry. This gathering, which takes place every two years, has become THE event for hoteliers, restaurant owners and all CHR (Café-Hotel-Restaurant) professionals in general, and is one that they don’t want to miss because they are sure to find state-of-the-art solutions and opportunities to develop their turnover.

What highlights, especially for Spas, will be featured in the 2012 edition?
Y.M.: Equip’Hotel has made relentless efforts to develop the Spa sector, and has been doing so for the last 3 trade fairs: our ambition was to turn the event into a hub for all Spa offerings dedicated to the hotel industry. This sector has been rapidly expanding since November 2006 and now provides hotel and restaurant professionals with an appealing and convincing range of solutions. As the current Spa offering for equipment is already extremely varied, we have chosen to enhance it by welcoming more skincare brands and consulting firms to provide the hotel industry with global solutions. The strong partnership with Isabelle CHARRIER, Managing Editor of EMOTION SPA Magazine, is the keystone to this sector’s success. A reference in the Spa industry, she will be sharing her expertise by hosting the Spa conferences that will greet hotel directors who have witnessed the added value provided by their Spa openings, and who will be sharing their experience with Equip’Hotel’s participants.

You have also decided to focus even more on international visitors for 2012, what will you be doing to appeal to visitors from abroad?
Y.M.: We have been busy promoting the event abroad by working on different areas: first of all we have set up a dedicated in-house development team that has, over these last few months, been in charge of finding Equip’Hotel ambassadors worldwide. Emblematic Chefs and architects, famous for their expertise in the hotel and restaurant industries, promote the trade fair to decision-makers from major international companies. We have pinpointed countries with strong potential in order to engage partnerships with entities that are representative of the profession, as well as with fellow trade fairs and professional press publications. Furthermore, very specific and targeted use of hotel databases is being made: a subtle approach with an aggressive direct marketing plan and a programme to welcome international visitors (invitations from buyers, specific conferences, cocktail parties, a selection of innovative establishments to visit in Paris, etc.). Through these various actions, Equip’Hotel guarantees exhibitors that they will meet with many visitors, more than 84% of whom will be decision-makers.

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