Pro9 attracted 4.731 visitors over the 3 day show held at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam in late August 2009. Dutch visitors represented 68% of all visitors, with 32% of visitors coming from a variety of European countries. The show was held during a serious recession across Europe, yet the exhibitors & show organisers were pleased with the number of visitors who found the time to attend. A major benefit expressed by a number of visitors, was that they were able to spend time with suppliers who were often too busy at the PSI Show. The British Pavilion organised by Sourcing City (Pro9’s official UK partner) was supported by the BPMA & saw plenty of British visitors. The participating UK supplier exhibitors generated over 1200 leads, and Windmill Promotions took 10 orders at the show alone. Tony Phillips of Great Central Plastics commented: ‘It was the most organized, stress free exhibition we have ever done. I was very impressed with the efforts Sourcing City went to make the show a success for the British exhibitors, and we will certainly be interested in exhibiting again.’ A number of the UK exhibitors were also able to get government funding through UK Trade & Investment. The BPMA are now forging ahead to become an ATO (Approved Trade Organisation), which would mean more grants would be available for exhibitors next year. A useful service was also offered by Bowstring, who organised the management of the stands and show stock to & from the show, which made things much easier for exhibitors. The Pro Exhibition now looks a permanent fixture in the trade calendar, & there are not many better places to be than Amsterdam in the summer! | *click button to right to see pictures.