News Representing the indispensable event for Swiss companies in the fields of watchmaking, jewellery and related businesses, the Baselworld Show has closed on a generally extremely favourable impression.
While the year 2004 began fairly slowly for these sectors, the trend is improving and encourages hope of a positive evolution on the markets.
The signs of international economic recovery, combined with a stabilised dollar, instilled an optimistic mood among exhibitors and visitors to the Show, a feeling further intensified by its contrast with the gloomy spirit characterising last year's edition, which was tough in several respects. With regard to these tangible demonstrations of enthusiasm, it is nonetheless important to retain a degree of caution; it is too early to assert that the recovery will stabilise over the long term, even though there is a clear upward curve.
For the time being, Swiss exhibitors are savouring the results achieved during the Baselworld Show. The good business and the strong influx of journalists and visitors have given Swiss companies fresh impetus and renewed confidence.
In concrete terms, these signs were apparent on several levels, and enabled the Show to take place amid a very positive atmosphere from start to finish. After witnessing the large number of visitors and journalists on the inauguration day, exhibitors soon began to feel almost euphoric. This upbeat mood was maintained, with Baselworld daily achieving record attendance rates and hosting a total of 89,000 visitors over its entire duration. Testifying to a fresh craze for watchmaking and jewellery, there were particularly large numbers of journalists this year; with a few exceptions, there was a good international spread.
Generally speaking, the particular care devoted to welcoming visitors undoubtedly contributed to the good atmosphere pervading the Show. The new extremely efficient accreditation system was fully satisfactory to members of the press. The happy, friendly Welcome Party was one of the liveliest highlights of the event. The way the Messeplatz has been rearranged with its pleasant terraces and flowerbeds lent a distinguished and festive note to a place where people enjoyed spending a few moments between two professional appointments.
Thus, thanks to its dynamic dimension and the steadily enhanced quality of its welcome, the 2004 edition of Baselworld is perceived as a good show. The Swiss Exhibitors Committee, which is defending the interests and ensuring the promotion of 410 exhibitors this year in Basel, is globally very satisfied and emphasises the positive evolution of Baselworld. Next year Baselworld will take place from March 31st to April 7th.
May 11, 2004
