Nearly 35,000 professional participants converged commercially for a satisfactory INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK

“Satisfaction” was the general sentiment of the almost 400 exhibitors that attracted 34,887 professional participants from the sector that were part of the I INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK , organized by IFEMA between 8 and 11 May, at the Feria de Madrid.

For four days, a total of 377 exhibiting companies - from 14 countries - displayed their products and services in five IFEMA halls. For the first time, three exhibitions well established in their respective areas were brought together in a same exhibit space: VETECO, the International Trade Fair for Windows, Facades and Glass Structures, CONSTRUTEC, the International Construction Trade Fair, and PIEDRA, the International Natural Stone Trade Fair.

Professionals from all over Spain participated in the INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK, with a notable presence from Madrid, Andalusia, Valencia, Catalonia, Castilla la Mancha and Castilla León.

There was also a significant contingent of foreign professionals. A total of 2,645 visitors were registered from 65 countries, specifically, from - in order of number of participants- Germany, China, France, Portugal, Mexico, Turkey, Iran, Russia, Brazil, Argentina and Italy. This shows the promotional efforts of the fair in these markets - potential export markets for the exhibiting companies. It also reflects the success of the International Buyer's Programme, in which participating companies had the opportunity invite their established or potential clients from all over the world. 225 of the invited buyers from 17 countries attended. The various exhibiting companies invited, through the fair's International Buyer's Programme, with the collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Madrid, a total of 178 buyers from 30 countries.

In terms of the different activities, it is worth noting the participation of architects, developers, engineers, installers, carpenters, and stone masons and craftsmen..

In addition to the high registration number, a very positive atmosphere was observed among the participants. The Director of the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Light Façades and Windows, ASEFAVE, Pablo Martín, explained that the exhibitors were satisfied by the volume of visitors who had visited their stands and highlighted the heavy presence of international buyers. In his opinion, the fact that the three fairs (VETECO, CONSTRUTEC and PIEDRA) were joined in a single event “contributed notably to the increase of visitors”. As for the trends that marked the priorities of companies and professionals, Martín noted efficiency and energy saving, as well as sustainability.

This opinion was shared by José V. Gómez, head of the company Sapa. He noted the high level of the professionals that attended the fair and their interest in innovation, savings and the energy efficiency in the windows sector. This high level made it possible, according to Javier Bermejo, of Kömmerling, to make quality contacts among the professionals.

The CONSTRUTEC exhibitors also deemed as a success the joining of the three trade shows. According to Carolina Alonso, of Sika, this increased the number of visits, thereby making the fair a success. Inés Idzikowski, of Solar Decathlon, highlighted the synergies that took place, as well as visitor interest in energy efficiency, insulation and the sustainable buildings. Miguel Riesgo, of Tendel12, mentioned to the large number of professionals from the construction industry that visited the fair, as well as innovation. Paula Celma, of VMZinc, noted that joining the three shows allowed visitors and companies to obtain a broader vision of the construction sector.

The Spanish Natural Stone Federation, FDP, indicated how important it is to continue making the fair as international as possible by continuing what was started in this edition. Antonio Bernardos, of Pizarras J. Bernardos, highlighted the important contacts made and the great diversity of the visitors, which included small technical developers, architects and professionals of every type. As Francisco Pardo of Grupo Pardo stated, the visitors were fundamentally looking for innovation, something that they found at the fair.

The latest novelties and trends in architecture, decoration and restoration were on display, with all the related sectors present, as well as a host of professionals from different areas, such as decorators, architects, draftsmen and specialists in construction and restoration.

Among the innovations that the visitor could find were products and developments to facilitate the construction process and make homes more comfortable, safe and ecological.. For example, windows that prevent the energy from escaping, facades and glass structures with new functions and designs, mobile walls that multiply spaces, cements and faster and more resistant building materials, or easily adaptable and dismountable cranes.

Against this backdrop, it bears noting the impressive efforts carried out by the fair itself and the participating companies to attract foreign demand from the main industry markets of interest. They helped bolster the international profile of the three trade shows of the INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK. This is what brought fair 225 invited buyers from 17 countries. The various exhibiting companies invited, through the fair's International Buyer's Programme and with the collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Madrid, a total of 178 buyers from 30 countries.

Throughout the fair days and parallel events, the main issues were sustainability and energy efficiency, competitiveness, the advantages of restoration, regulatory framework, sub-contracting, legal repercussions of accidents, effective and sustainable solutions such as concrete and hot-dip galvanisation, among others.

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