Running for three full days, Parasitec held from 14-16 November at the Paris Event Centre broke its own previous attendance record. Virtually without exception, visitors and exhibitors alike declared it a great success and it proved an ideal way to conclude this years round of exhibitions.
For those of us who attend these international shows, having three events (PestWorld, PestTech and now Parasitec) in the space of four weeks was a big ask – stamina is certainly required! For the exhibitors, several of whom were also at all three events, it’s certainly a long time to stand on your feet talking to customers. However, each event has its own unique atmosphere – the one thread that was consistent between them all was a general feeling of optimism – pest control is doing well.
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| Held at the Paris Event Centre (above left), Parasitec is organised by the team from PC Media – (centre left to right) Jean Charles Pujol, Edouard and Pierre Kabouche with registration busy but fast each day |
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Traditionally Parasitec is held in Paris on alternate (even) years. Having once again ventured to Istanbul in Turkey last year, it was back again to the Paris Event Centre at Porte de La Villette on the north west outskirts of the city. Having just re-read our report from this venue in 2016, not much has changed! Although a good airy exhibition hall, the event remains a victim of its own success. The long queues for the catering and lack of tables and seats remained identical. Did the organisers (PC Media) read our 2016 report? Even so, where they would squeeze in this facility remains a mystery.
Having said that, this is France and at this exhibition one of the most noticeable features is the abundance of food and drink on virtually every stand. Most prominent is the Lodi bar! The company’s open generosity knows no bounds – in fact the security guards have a hard time persuading people to leave the ever flowing alcohol after the exhibition closes.
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The Lodi bar (left) has become an institution at this event – as have the games on their stand as again this year (centre). Not to be outdone, Serge Simon (right) was working magic on his Edialux stand with the magician!
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Records broken…
Having mentioned virtually the only negative, the attendance figures highlight just how popular the event is – this year the official registration organisation recorded a record breaking 3,206 visitors – up on the figures of two years ago of 3,067. As for the number of exhibitors, this was slightly down at 90, compared with 96 in 2016. Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Edouard Kabouche said: “We are delighted. We have attracted more visitors, all the exhibition stands were sold and the exhibitors are very happy. We have listened to the comments regarding space, so maybe in two years time we will have more.”
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The exhibitors included all the large multinational companies, such as Syngenta (left), a large number from France and accross Europe, such as OSD (centre) from Italy plus new exhibitors, such as NPO Garant from Russia (right)
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But with this number of visitors, the aisles were full and the staff on the exhibition stands were kept well occupied. Interesting to note, the number of international visitors seemed to be well up again – not as many as you get at PestEx in London, but not that far off. Some of the exhibitors were making their debut and came from far flung places – for example Biopreparaty from the Czech Republic, IPM Square from Israel and NPO Garant from Russia. Add to this the large number of French and other European exhibitors – from both large and small companies – and you had plenty to inspect.
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The seminars which ran for the first two days were well attended, with headphones used by all. On the final day, the seminar area was transformed into a free lunch!
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The seminars addressed a variety of topics. Dr Jean-Michaux (left) from ISTAV ran through the full range of alternatives once anticoagulants and glue boards have been removed. Meanwhile, Dr Romain Lasseur (centre) and Anne Julliat (right) representing the Chambre Syndicale 3D addressed the very real dangers pest controllers faced from leptospirosis
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Series of topical seminars
As is standard practice, running alongside the exhibition for the first two days was a series of topical seminars. For most it was standing room only, and everyone wore headsets. This allowed delegates to hear the presentations, without causing distraction within the exhibition hall – plus simultaneous translation into English was provided. On day three, the seminar area was transformed into a free of charge lunch.
What about new products?
Having been disappointed in the number of new products to see within the exhibition at both PestWorld and PestTech, there was an improved number to view in Paris.
Overall, the swish digital monitoring systems seemed less prominent – for example the Bayer, Corteva and Syngenta systems are remaining the other side of the Atlantic, for now at least. New chemical means of control were thin on the ground. Sumitomo Chemical had a stand and their Pesguard Gel (clothianidine) for cockroaches was being promoted on the Aedes stand. Sales of this and further Pesguard products are to follow across Europe, subject to regulatory clearance. However. several new products have been seen at all three exhibitions – for those keen to know which, a review will be included within the forthcoming Pest 60 edition of the magazine.
As for next year, it was announced the Parasitec roadshow moves onto Budapest, Hungary – at the earlier date in the calendar of 9-10 May 2019. See you there!
