TransCaspian is one of the region’s leading transport shows, and a great opportunity to assess Azerbaijan’s freight transport market, learn about the region’s current and future transport projects, meet directors of state transport bodies, and expand your business in the Caspian region. Orkhan Akhmedov, manager of TransCaspian Exhibition, answered us some questions about the next edition of the show, so if you are planning to visit or exhibiting, don't stop reading!
TransCaspian is a great platform to present the latest developments in transport technologies... What novelties will we find in 2016's edition?
The TransCaspian exhibition is an effective platform for uniting various areas of the transport sector such as railways, marine industry, aviation, commercial vehicles, transport and logistics services. This is a unique opportunity to meet with leaders and specialists of public transport structures from Azerbaijan and other countries within the region.
It is also a great platform for demonstrating the latest developments in transport technologies, learning about promising public infrastructure projects, finding new distribution channels, as well as exchanging experiences regarding the construction of railways, seaports, airports, logistics centres, manufacturing rolling stock and shipbuilding. TransCaspian is also a business platform for cargo owners to meet with freight carriers and an effective way to promote your logistics and transport services in the Caspian and Caucasus regions.
Due to the fact that TransCaspian is expanding its sectors, it will soon be known as TransCaspian, the exhibition of rail infrastructure and rolling stock, marine industry, aviation, transport and logistics services. We have made this decision due to the increased relevance of each sector for the transport industry and the economy as a whole.
With a tradition of more than a decade, what means TransCaspian in the annual calendar of the industry?
The sector traditionally views the exhibition as the key event of the year, and one that offers an accurate view of the status of the cargo transportation market. Over the years, the exhibition has become the most important transport forum in the region, through which innovative technologies and equipment for the transport industry are demonstrated, new agencies become established and joint ventures are created.
Since the day of its foundation, the exhibition has been supported by Ministry of Transport of the Azerbaijan Republic, TRACECA, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation, National Confederation of The Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic (AEC).
As the leading event of the transport sector in the Caucasus region, the exhibition contributes to the development of transport infrastructure in Azerbaijan, it demonstrates the potential of attracting cargo for transit through Azerbaijan and helps find the best transportation options for cargo owners. TransCaspian will create an excellent opportunity to establish and expand new effective and mutually beneficial contacts, to enter into a promising contract, to make investments, to exchange experiences and to assess the market.
And what benefits brings the Show to the city of Baku?
The leading exhibitions have a significant effect on the development of industries and the economy of the whole region in which they are held, making a contribution to the economy of the country. Business events such as exhibitions are the most effective tool for the search for new clients and markets and increasing the geography of sales for exhibiting companies.
The exhibitions stimulate competition and create additional jobs. The organisation of the exhibition provides profits to a whole range of companies that provide various services as well as the organisers themselves. These include stand construction companies, transport companies, advertising agencies, companies that provide specialised personnel and many others. Another significant source of monetary funds for the economy of the country in the exhibition period is the spending by visitors to the capital during the exhibitions, including accommodation, food, transport and entertainment.
I would also like to mention another important point. The visits made by leading industry specialists to international exhibitions helps to develop the perception of the country as a centre for business communications in this industry, which has a positive effect on its image. This is why I think that the exhibition and conference business definitely helps economic development and has a significant part to play in the process of introducing innovations into local production and the development of intercultural links.
Who can attend the show?
On the 11-12 May, the exhibition will be open to industry specialists and persons working in related fields. Invited as visitors to the exhibition will be Managers and specialists of the State Transport Structures; Managers and specialists of international transport organizations; Managers and specialists of air, railway, road and maritime transportation companies; Managers and specialists of the foreign state transport structures; Also directors, logistics managers, supply managers of: travel agencies, construction companies, oil and gas companies, medical companies, food manufacturers, furniture industry companies, agricultural enterprises, road-building and loading equipment manufacturers, companies for construction of ports, airports and bus terminals.
Can you give some tips for the exhibitors participating on TransCaspian for the first time?
Strategically planning for the event can help you get the most out of your trade show experience, and hopefully get you the leads to grow your business and increase your sales. We would like to provide you with some tips to help you get the maximum return on your investment when exhibiting at the Transcaspian.
- Set clear goals for your trade show participation You can have more than one goal, of course, but the point is that you need to be clear about what your participation in the trade show is going to achieve.
- Budget and book your space. Find out everything you can about your space, including location on the trade show floor, other exhibits nearby, whether it's a high traffic or low traffic area, or physical conditions of the booth space, such as lighting
- Plan your exhibit in terms of your audience
- Advertise in advance - Put the word out that you're participating in a particular trade show by inviting your clients, customers, suppliers, and other contacts to attend the show. Be sure you give them all the details, such as your booth number.
- Maximize your exhibiting experience: Engage in social media, Pull a crowd to your trade show booth, Actively engage trade booth visitors and etc.
Tell us, at least, three reasons to visit the Show
The Transcaspian exhibition represents great opportunities for professionals, sector specialists and private individuals too, opening a world of new technology, ideas and, finally, a stream of new information for a new generation. They provide the opportunity to find out about goods or services, to meet their producers or providers face to face. They will not only share with you their experience but may become your useful partners and colleagues.
I can mention three reasons to visit the Show:
- Find out about innovation in the sector
- Study the state of the market and get new ideas
- Make new contacts
Finally, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?
In 2015, 103 exhibitors came from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belarus, Germany, Georgia, Latvia, Russia, France, and Switzerland. 2,387 professionals visited TransCaspian in the 2015 year. TransCaspian 2015, therefore, provided a great opportunity for expanding and establishing effective new business contacts, drawing up prospective contracts, making investments, exchanging experience and assessing the market.