ORGANIZER'S PROFILE:

Bolzano has a long tradition in the fair industry: the first evidence of commercial exchange with other regions of the Alps, both in Italy and abroad, dates back as far as 1070. The geographical location of the city and its unquestionable role as a bridge between Northern and Southern Europe have always encouraged commercial, economic and cultural relations with the neighbouring countries.
The first modern fair was held in 1948.

In the Seventies, thanks to the good economic situation, a phase of development started for the Bolzano Fair Organisation. The administrators, who were also pressured by the various economic boards of the Province, decided to enrich the programme of fair events and started a series of specialised exhibitions. This led to "Fiera Agricola" (i.e. "Fair for Agriculture") "Bolzano Hotel", "Tempo Libero" (or "Leisure Time") and "Ufficio-Büro", (i.e. "Office"). They were followed by "Mitea" in 1983 - which became "Bauschau", a specialised fair for the building sector and earth movements, in 1991 -, by "Lignomec" in 1984, a specialised fair for wood processing machines and products and by "Mostra d'Arte ed Antiquariato" (i.e. "Art and Antiques Exhibition"). "Arredo", a specialised fair for furniture and accessories, was set up in 1992 and "Alpitec", a specialised fair for alpine and winter technologies, followed in 1997. "Interpoma" - held for the first time in 1998 - is a European fair including the congress "The apple in the world: growing, storage and marketing".
"Prowinter", the first fair in Europe dedicated to those in the Winter sports profession has taken place for the first time in 2001.