Interview Enrique Lacalle, President of the Organizing Committee of the SIL

Then with honours. With difficulties, the world would say that practically in all the sectors, to make a room at a time like the present, with so many companies, so international and so good response, think it is of honours.

It is not easy. It is not easy to make rooms of any sector in times of crisis: the companies reduce costs, some disappear, and there is considerable fear of what comes, what will last, etc. And that is not conducive to the rooms. So when a Hall continues to face, with a good level of institutions, and international presence and continues to be a meeting of the reference in Spain logistics sector, you want to say that it is a solid productprofitable, efficient, that people value and which is not to lose.

It is difficult to calculate it because it is Yes there has been a concentration of exhibitors at stands. But I think it's environment to the last year, with one important difference: have more logistics operators who ever, thanks to the Hospitality formula, and we have also increased globalization, which was already very high.

This is something that happens with other rooms we organize. They are becoming more international. The domestic sector is going through a difficult time and we had to go out to look for international exhibitors, which is also good because I think that a room other than international is worthless. The local halls in a global world do not work, and this should be our goal: more and more presence foreign companies and countries.

The SIL is the meeting point of the Spanish logistics, with new product introductions. I would define it as a point of teaching encounter and debate on the present and future of the sector, sector-wide and in each subsector, which are many within the logistics. Then, is the site where people will see a once a year. Worldwide logistics meets and is where contact with international companies. It's a meeting point for the institutions. For example this year we incorporated new and it is an autonomous community guest: Asturias in this edition.

It is also a room in which we have worked hard to let no one come for the price. We have innovated much so that everyone can have a booth, small, but that may be present because we understand that the crisis is a moment of expenditure restraint.

And finally I believe that, as I said at the beginning, it allows talk and share experiences, exchange views for the future and, above all, do business, which is the key.

It worked very well in the BMP. And if we have customers interested in being on time shared, we will continue offering. It has many advantages. We offer you a stand completely conditioned, big, where you can organize conferences, cocktails, and only changing the signs they can have their space for a few hours. And it works. And it has given the opportunity, for example, that come almost all logistics operators.

Of course. Also this year we have also organized a meeting with the directors of logistics of enterprises. In the end, are those who buy logistics. And this year we are going to appreciate much Director of purchases of companies, with some special consideration and a prize to the best directors of logistics.

As a very easy formula. At the end, the companies have to choose. And they choose hygiene, confidence, credibility, professionalism, internacionalidad, service and dimension. And the SIL has lived a permanent climbing, in all the senses. Until the crisis, that affected us regarding dimension.

But when we begin, I posed me like example the fair of Paris, SITL. It is like Barcelona, with a much more powerful country behind. But in dimension, the SILT is more or less the SIL, with the difference that the living room of Barcelona is much more international. The one of Paris is much more focused to French companies.

And have to say that we, the same that the companies, are happening the crisis. But we hold well the situation, so in what it trace back, will go out much more reinforced. When the companies go back to work usually, increase the turnover, the sales and the business, this living room will be much bigger of what went in his best moment. It is logical. Of the same way that the companies that hold the moment will go out much more profesionalizadas and more powerful. We go beside the sector. When the sector grow, we will grow.

Yes. Much more in the real estate sector, but it has made. And also in the Hall of the real estate sector looking for internationality. Today everyone knows the BMP. It is a point of reference, just as the SIL is in the logistics sector. In the South of Europe, when speaking of logistics halls at European level, it speaks of Munich, Barcelona and Paris. Point. The others are local banquet, which support them communities and municipalities, I called them artificial lounges. They are not events that have a reason or need to be. They endure because they are supported by the political power.

But the Forum of the sector is in SIL. If we look at the personalities involved in our Symposium at all its meetings, it's a 'champions' Hall. The desert salons do not work. If there are no personalities and a complete range of companies, institutions and countries, not interested.

And if our costs us, I do not even think about what it costs them to others.

We already did at the Meeting Point and it worked very well. I think that it is a very good addition because, first, it allows a logistics community to enjoy much more display. You can display all its logistical supply, can come to their employers, authorities, etc. And we will repeat because it will work, just as that operates the bet of the guest country. This year is France, but also the Lebanon addition to all those who have passed over these years will be: Mexico, Brazil, Panama, etc., which keep coming because they see the SIL as a meeting point for each year. That is why it is important to choose well if we want to be the gateway from the Mediterranean to Europe and Africa, and entrance of Central America and Latin America in Europe. With the advantage that we have a common language and that they are very comfortable in Barcelona. It is a fantastic city for living rooms and professional meetings. And the SIL is organized in a very good time of year, which reverses in the city. Because fairs are a dynamic element of the cities. For its part, Barcelona has long hook and has a long logistical experience.

Exhibitors come because they believe in the SIL. They believe that it is cost-effective, efficient, do business, contacts and sold.

Visitors matters a lot because they are potential customers to make contacts and sales. And the secret of all fair is that it is full of people. But for professional people. Because we are not talking about halls such as the automobile.

And they have to come to because most people would consider that the SIL is the annual meeting of the logistics in Spain point. And you have a meeting point for logistics once a year is good, it is a good thing. Many faces are, made many relationships, new customers, contacts and even signings. If we did not have a full room, it would not make sense. Because although there is crisis, companies who want to can participate, albeit with smaller stands, with Hospitality stands...

That is the reality. And we are very proud that at a time of crisis we can continue to make a 'champions' Hall.