#SaveTheFairIndustry!
The exhibition industry in Poland is currently in a dramatic situation. And the only way to save hundreds of companies is through decisive action by central authorities. On October 28, as part of a nationwide protest, the newly appointed Trade Fair Industry Defense Committee will submit postulates to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. The implementation of these will determine the future of a significant sector of the Polish economy.
According to a report commissioned by the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry, every third company operating in the exhibition industry recorded a turnover decrease of 90%. When we speak of the "exhibition industry", we mean not only trade fair organizers and operators of exhibition and conference facilities, but also hundreds of micro, small and medium-sized companies providing design, construction and furnishing services for exhibition stands, trade fair transport companies, hotel industry, catering and multimedia, and many other fair-related services. We are talking about a key sector of the Polish economy that has a significant impact on the export market.
Entrepreneurs providing services for fairs, congresses, conferences and events, who have been unable to work since March due to the cancellation of trade fairs, have found themselves on the verge of bankruptcy. The Committee for Defense of the Exhibition Industry, which they established, developed two postulates - key to saving hundreds of companies, a very large percentage of which are family businesses. Those are:
I Write-off of all amounts of aid received from PFR for companies which, under pain of criminal liability, declare that 75% of their last year's income was completely dependent on the organization, service and other services provided for fairs in the country and abroad.
II Receipt of compensation in the amount of 50% of last year's revenue for companies that, under penalty of criminal liability, declare that 75% of last year's revenue was completely dependent on the organization, service and other services provided for fairs in the country and abroad.
Grupa MTP, together with hundreds of Polish associations and industry organizations, supports the demands of the Trade Fair Industry Defense Committee and appeals to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to cancel all amounts of aid received from PFR, as well as for compensation in the amount of half of last year's revenue for companies. We would also like to remind you that the fair is one of the pillars of the Polish economy providing entrepreneurs with effective tools for rebuilding business contacts, the supply and distribution chain and for acquiring new contractors after the pandemic ends.