Eurocido event even bigger and better as it celebrates 10th anniversary

Although cold, wet and windy outside, the welcome at Eurocido 2012 was warm and friendly. Held once again at the Messe Westfalenhallen in Dortmund on 15 and 16 February, it was something of a celebration this year, as this was the tenth anniversary of the event.

As Eurocido is only held every two years, this means the event has featured in the pest control calendar for 20 years and must be one of the longest established events in Europe.

From modest beginnings it has expanded year on year. As event organiser Rainer Gsell, national chairman, of the German pest control Association DSV (Deutscher Schá¤dlingsbeká¤mpfer-Verband) commented: “It was noticeable that since the last event in 2010, the exhibition itself had grown considerably. This year the exhibition covered 3,600 m² compared to 2,200m² last time and we had almost 50% more exhibitors -up from 65 to 90 this time. The number of visitors was about 1,500, which is the same as two years ago.”

Quite exceptionally, and unlike any of the exhibitions in the UK, there is an entry fee to get into the exhibition – and at Euros 25 it is not to be sniffed at. But as Rainer Gsell explains: “We had lots of pest controllers through the door and, because they pay to enter, we only get those in charge – the decision makers and owners – rather than the technicians, which is excellent for the exhibitors. There were many good comments from the exhibitors about the quality of the visitors.”

Exhibition busy – seminars quiet
The exhibition was certainly bustling and well attended for all the peak opening times, but the same could not be said of the seminars which ran alongside. Again there was a charge for these which may have caused a reduced attendance. Whilst the seminar room was virtually full for the more technical sessions on day one, the room was pretty empty, despite some good speakers, on day two which was billed as the CEPA Pest Management Day. Click on the titles to read our reports from the seminars:

One thing that is always more obvious at German events is the strength of ‘green’ pest control topics and the number of stands displaying ‘green’ products. Eurocido was no exception and the first day’s seminar programme also had a green theme. This kicked-off with an excellent presentation from Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president of NPMA (National Pest Management Association) who detailed the GreenPro American approach. Read more.

Two stands – now one company
Amongst the UK delegates the topic most hotly debated was the acquisition of SX Environmental Services by P+L Systems. As the formal announcement had been made only two days before the opening of the show (click here to read) this was certainly hot news. As luck would have it, both companies had booked stands which were not far from each other, so there was considerable to-ing and fro-ing between them in a desire to get to know each other and to become familiar with each other’s product ranges.

No show is complete without its lighter moments. Visitors to the BASF stand could try their hand at crazy golf and to celebrate 25 years in the German market, Killgerm laid on a jazz band and a cake designed as a giant cockroach who had obviously been on the Red Bull for too long. Models of rats were being created in clay and also marzipan, not to mention the real thing – live rodents – on the Babolna Bio stand. However, maybe the prettiest ‘insects’ were the two girls dressed-up as bees!

Event organiser, Rainer Gsell, was delighted by the quality and quantity of visitors

Eurocido 2012 P+L & SX
Getting to know you – P+L Systems
with SX Environmental

Red Bull
Not live – but this cockroach had
been celebrating!

A Swiss mouse made of marzipan – had a Valentine’s feel

All in one hall for 2014
So, all in all, an excellent event. And one which even captured the attention of a film crew from the regional TV station. The only real criticism from the exhibitors was that they would prefer to be in one hall as the second smaller hall, which didn’t include any of the big distributors’ stands, was quieter. DSV has already addressed this issue and made the decision to move the event for 2014 to Hall 5 which offers 5,000 m² of space. “This Hall also has its own standalone restaurant so the food will be better. Our aim is to get to 100 exhibitors for 2014,” concluded organiser Rainer Gsell. See you then – we’ll be there!