20 years since I first exhibited at Gafa but some things never change: schweinshaxe, sauerkraut and metres of kolsch. This year the old town was positively humming as there was also a carnival at the same time, hence a colourful gathering of tourists with face paint, feathers in their hair and cheeks flushed due to excess consumption of kolsch.
The show itself still covers many of the halls within the Messe, although it isn’t on the same scale as 20 years ago, and there is certainly less traffic than there used to be, particularly with regard to international visitors.
However we have had good shows here over the last few years, and while there may not be the same quantity of visitors as there used to be, there are certainly good quality customers attending. I’m sure that the historic good advice for exporters remains as relevant as ever, to keep turning up and banging the drum, since unquestionably some customers need the reassurance of continued attendance and commitment to export before they may award new business.
There is also now the bonus of a recently cleaned Dom to marvel at as well – especially stunning at night.