About events

Within the framework of the programme, businessmen will be compensated for their costs connected with taking part in trade fairs and exhibitions that take place within the Russian Federation or in foreign countries. During one fiscal year, the maximum subsidy for one business entity of small or medium business will amount to 50% of the total sum of documented costs, but no more than 350,000 roubles (net of VAT).

The new support programme includes a very important change connected with the beginning of work of the Unified State Register of small or medium business of the Federal tax service of Russia: the procedure of applying for a government subsidy has been simplified. Now, when gathering a package of documents, a businessman doesn’t have to enclose accounting documents for revenues and the number of employees for the four previous years. According to the new rules, joint stock companies will no longer be able to apply for subsidies. Government aid could be used only by micro-enterprises with annual turnover up to 120 mln roubles, small enterprises – up to 800 mln roubles, and medium – up to 2 bln roubles.

In addition, 4 more special programmes started working: craftsmanship, financing, leasing for the consumer industry and certification. Budget funds for child centres and social entrepreneurship support are exhausted. Extra financing for these two programmes in 2016 is not provided for.

Further information about the special programme “Exhibition and Trade Fair Activities” is available via the link: http://www.crpp.ru/state_support/programmy-gospodderzhki-2015/vystavochno-yarmarochnaya-deyatelnost/.

Global Exhibitions Day is a gift to the world’s MICE industry. ExpoForum International decided to hold the best workshop in Russia on effective participation in exhibitions by Nikolay Karasev as a gift to the convention and the exhibition community as a whole.

On May 19, Expoforum welcomed 60 representatives of the regional companies regularly participating in exhibitions and eager to make this process as efficient as possible.

The audience loved the workshop – but of course they did! Russia’s most famous business coach and consultant was on hand to sharehis secrets on participating in exhibitions: how to choose the featured products, how to use visualisation, how to attract visitors to the booth, and how to grab the attention of a potential buyer.

The speech delivered by Sergei P. Alexeev, UFI President, RUEF President and Vice President of ExpoForum International, who initiated the establishment of Global Exhibitions Day, was a true surprise: “On June 8, the whole wide world will celebrate this holiday for the first time ever. The project is aimed at demonstrating the corporate importance of exhibitions, and at highlighting the role of exhibitions in the development of trade and internationalisation, innovation and market competitiveness. At the same time, Global Exhibitions Day is intended to become an event for people working in the exhibitions field, inspiring them to achieve future successes and helping them see the existing career opportunities all around them.”

Evgenia Lukashevich, Head of the ExpoForum International Directorate for Marketing, PR and Advertising, congratulated the workshop participants on the upcoming holiday and invited them to gather around a huge cake decorated with #GED2016 – a special treat from the company. The commemorative group photo of the guests was followed by another surprise from by Expoforum in the form of real butterflies, which symbolize the Expoforum motto: a kaleidoscope of bright events and Global Exhibitions Day is a bright event indeed. We would like to congratulate our colleagues and all those involved in the world of MICE on this inaugural holiday!

During the exhibition opening ceremony, Elena V. Dyukareva, Vice President of the Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce, stressed the need to maintain relations between Russian and European companies in the current difficult economic and political climate: “Solids Russia 2016 is a very promising exhibition, since it facilitates external economic relations and improves the investment climate in the region. This event makes it possible to obtain the maximum possible amount of information about the market and make a lot of useful business contacts in a short period of time.”

Sergey G. Voronkov, CEO of ExpoForum International, noted during his welcoming speech that the Forum venue and site have been very well chosen: “St. Petersburg is the convention capital of Russia, our city is the leader in the business tourism industry with urban infrastructure developing rapidly: a modern airport, business hotels and a modern convention and exhibition centre have all been built. The new ExpoForum centre has already hosted about 160 events attended by more than 1,000,000 people. We hope that, over time, the Solids Russia exhibition will occupy not only one pavilion, but the whole convention centre.”

Christian Altmann, Director of the Russian-German Chamber of Foreign Trade – Northwest Branch, said that he hoped that exhibitors would benefit from profitable transactions, efficient communications and a productive spirit.

A conference on the technologies and transportation of bulk materials is being held simultaneously with the exhibition. At the opening of the conference, Alexey A. Kistenev, moderator and technical advisor to the CEO of SPA “RIVS”, noted the importance of the international Forum as an effective platform for discussing important issues affecting the sector: “At the conference, we can evaluate a wide range of views on materials processing, and discuss theoretical approaches, as well as scientific and expert inputs in this area.”

The conference and exhibition on bulk materials technologies and transportation will be held in the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 18-19.

Exhibition participants included such renowned Moscow-based enterprises as Sokolov, Nika, L-Silver, Estet, Cameo, National Treasures, Sidan, MZSS, Bronitsky Jewellers and Gold Mine; the St. Petersburg-based plants Russian Semi-Precious Stones, Northern Capital Jewellers, Sanis and Gold Nugget; the Kostroma-based companies Aquamarine, Kostroma Jewellery Plant, Kostroma Jewellers, Master Diamond, Zolotov, Platina and Topaz; the Ekaterina-based brands Ural Jewellers, Rifiesta, Ural Jewellery Company and Carat; the Yakutia-based firms Yakut Gold, Sakha Jewellers, Sakha Uranium, and many more.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Chairman of the Board at the Russian Jewellers’ Guild – Gagik Gevorkian noted that, despite the challenging times, many enterprises were busy creating new collections, with jewellers looking to effectively promote their products and strengthen their brands. He also remarked on the event’s fine organisation: “It gets warm and cozy as soon as you enter the hall. I hope that this positive ambiance translates into healthy profits from the sale of our jewellery – then we’ll have total harmony,” stressed Gagik Gurgenovich.

General Director of the Restec Junwex Media Holding Valery Budny announced the creation of the Sergey Trofimov Memorial Foundation for the Russian Jewellery Arts. Every year, the foundation plans to showcase the best design solutions developed by talented jewellers. Valery Vasilievich also noted that the Junwex exhibition, which is held annually in Moscow and Ekaterinburg as well as St. Petersburg, continues to expand its geographical reach – this year, plans include launching the project in Armenia and the Republic of Belarus.

In 2015, the Junwex St. Petersburg exhibition was held at ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre for the very first time. According to organisers, the move to the new venue has made it possible to attract new buyers and participants. In the span of just a few days, the exhibition was visited by more than 25,000 retail buyers and 4,000 commercial specialists from all of the Russian regions and many countries of the near-abroad, while the size of the exhibition space expanded. “This kind of success proves that the new venue has been accepted – even embraced. That’s extremely important to us, because we work hard every day to make ExpoForum even more comfortable for organisers and visitors,” noted the General Director of ExpoForum International, Sergey Voronkov.

Opening the forum at the plenary session “The Russian Arctic – Land of Opportunities,” Artur Chilingarov, President of the Interregional Public Organisation “Association of Polar Explorers,” connected the future of the Arctic to the advancement of international cooperation, noting that the forum is the centre of gravity for related public initiatives and opportunities for the furtherance of constructive dialogue and the identification of solutions to pressing problems.

Dmitri Rogozin, Deputy Chairman of the RF Government, Chairman of the State Commission on Arctic Development, highlighted the main priorities of the commission’s work on matters involving Arctic development. First and foremost, at issue are the people living in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. “They deserve our special attention,” said Dmitri Olegovich, “and we intend to tackle the development of their human capital head on – among other things, by improving their quality of life and expanding their access to social services.” The next important priority is security, which is closely associated with matters of socio-economic development and national security. “The revitalisation of defence infrastructure is aimed not at militarisation, but at the creation of peaceful conditions for the furtherance of cooperation,” emphasised the speaker. The commission is also paying particular attention to transport accessibility and resource extraction.

Speaking of the Northern Capital’s active involvement in the development of Arctic territories, Igor Albin, Vice Governor of St. Petersburg, explained that the city is blessed with a high concentration of scientific-research, educational and technological potential. “We have a long-standing tradition of spiritual and manufacturing ties with the northern regions of Russia and the entire world,” said Igor Nikolaevich. “St. Petersburg is poised to emerge as a major centre for managing Russia’s Arctic zone, and we believe that the only suitable home for establishing the long-discussed Arctic Bank for Reconstruction and Development is St. Petersburg.”

Issues involving the development of small- and medium-sized business in the northern regions were touched upon by Alexei Loginov, Vice President of Sberbank of Russia for Arctic Rapid-Development Projects. Loginov pointed out that entrepreneurial activity is not the current focus of attention, while business activity continues to be the driver of territorial activity. “Business activity in the RF Arctic Zone (RFAZ) is distinct for its high capital-intensity of startups, high resource costs, disparity among regional development levels, low level of competitiveness, and low degree of public awareness of market opportunities,” said Loginov. “In order to create the right atmosphere for business development, it’s essential to invest in infrastructure and foster attractive conditions for doing business.” The speaker indicated that the latter include, among other things, tax incentives, the implementation of various forms of public-private partnership, and organising the appropriate formats for doing business – rapid-development territories and special economic zones.

Over the course of two working days, the forum will consider various aspects of the socio-economic development of the RF Arctic Zone, encompassing issues of transportation accessibility, the exploration and extraction of mineral resources, developing the fuel-and-energy complex, supplying the Arctic with labour resources, environmental safety, developing a single information space, studying Arctic territories, supporting the North’s indigenous minorities, developing tourism, and much more.

The forum organiser is the Interregional Public Organisation “Association of Polar Explorers” with the support and active participation of the RF Government.

Opening the conference, Gazprom Deputy Chairman Valery Golubev remarked that, by virtue of Russia’s unique territorial particularities, the success of one-of-a-kind sweeping strategic projects of national significance largely depends on the effective arrangement of land-and-property relations between the public and private sectors, and that the conference is well suited to further that positive dialogue.

These words were enthusiastically supported by RF Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Director of the RF Federal Agency for State Property Management – Olga Dergunova, who added that, insofar as major corporations are chiefly responsible for setting a stable example of effective work between business and power, it was particularly important to use the event’s discussion platform to thrash out the most critical aspects of party interaction.

REMIC 2015 – the fourth annual conference in a row devoted to issues of corporate real-estate management, organised by Gazprom. The sheer scale and strategic importance of the problems raised at the conference, level of participation and relevance of the issues at hand, have allowed the event to become one of Russia’s foremost economic forums and maintain a stable position in the current architecture of such high-profile business gatherings.

The exhibition showcases various breeds of dogs and cats, ferrets, reptiles, rodents and insects. For those tired of the hustle-and-bustle of city life, there will be a special section devoted entirely to farm animals: poultry, nanny-goats, miniature sheep and decorative rabbits. For the first time in ages, the exhibition will feature a Cat-Breed Parade, spotlighting such rare cat breeds as the woolly Selkirk-Rex and the virtually-hairless Ukrainian Levkoy, as well as the giant Maine Coon, the Bengalese and Abyssinian Steppe cats, and many more. The finest representatives of all cat breeds will be judged at the international exhibitions hosted by the St. Petersburg-based clubs Bastet, Varieta, Felicity and Irida.

“The “Zoo Show” exhibition is geared towards a wide variety of interests. Active-recreation enthusiasts will be able to join their pets in fly-ball, pitch & go (“fetch”) and Frisbee competitions – as well as to take in some “dog dances.” All of the four-legged athletes and attending guests will be invited to stop by the pet restaurant for food and treats, as well as the trade fair, featuring interesting products, accessories, grooming supplies and much more,” said Exhibition Director Mikhail Tkachenko.

A range of different competitions and master classes for decorative-ferret owners have been prepared by the Melian and Russian Ferret clubs. The St. Petersburg Exo-Zoo Society is introducing visitors to terrariums and related equipment, as well as to more than 100 different reptiles: pythons, boa constrictors, lizards, frogs and creepy-crawlers of all types, shades and varieties.

“Zoo Show” is a specialised exhibition of canine and feline clubs and a broad assortment of other household pets, as well as competitions, shows and an entertainment programme. Every year, the event is visited by roughly 25,000 attendees, and was held for the first-time ever in Moscow in the spring of 2015.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of this major industry event, St. Petersburg Vice Governor Olga Kazanskaya noted that for more than 20 years now, “Zoosphere” has successfully managed to combine initiatives designed to meet the needs of everyday citizens and business leaders alike. “The exhibition offers the opportunity not only to pick up interesting products for our beloved pets, but also to stop by a series of serious professional functions aimed at tackling the pressing challenges of the pet industry as a whole,” stressed Kazanskaya.

These sentiments were seconded by the President of the Pet-Business Industry Association – Kirill Dmitriev, who added that, despite the current difficulties, the exhibition continues to demonstrate the advanced stage of the industry’s development: “This year, participants showcased a wide range of goods and services for pets, including economy- and premium-class food, pet accessories, veterinary drugs and vitamin supplements, and supplies for the grooming of dogs and cats. All of this points to the fact that the market isn’t at a standstill, but, quite the contrary – is rapidly expanding.”

The “Zoosphere” exhibition, visited by some 15,000 specialist-attendees every year, will continue until 21 November. There will also be a special treat for all pet-lovers on 21-22 November – the pet festival “Zoo Show,” where the stars will include thousands of varied yet equally-loveable household pets: dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, reptiles and butterflies.

“Since its inception, the Sfitex/Securika exhibition has earned its rightful recognition as the largest, most authoritative platform in St. Petersburg and the Northwest Region, where industry experts come together to discuss critical security concerns,” noted Igor Ryapolov – Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg Committee for Law and Order at the expo’s opening ceremonies. “On display here are the industry’s latest advancements, while the packed business programme offers representatives of leading companies and enterprises the opportunity to share their expertise, express their opinions on pressing issues of the sector’s ongoing development, and present robust responses to today’s greatest security challenges.” The speaker also noted that issues of public safety are always at the forefront of the city’s concerns, with executive agencies paying close attention to related security considerations.

Sfitex/Securika 2015 showcased more than 300 innovations in terms of security equipment, video monitoring and surveillance systems, fire-safety systems and equipment, communications and PA systems, and data-protection hardware and software. The exposition is traditionally accompanied by a packed business programme, in which industry experts discuss pressing area issues, sharing their achievements and experiences with colleagues. The exhibition is held with the support of the St. Petersburg City Government, the RF Federal Security Service, the RF Federal Service for Technical and Export Control, and the RF Emergency Situations Ministry.