Preparations are in full swing for Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE 2018), the biennial international exhibition dedicated to residential and industrial installations covering heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, hardware, valves, sanitary technology, bathroom, water treatment, tools, renewable energy sources, and services.

Right now, the trade show is witnessing the same bookings numbers from exhibitors as this time the previous edition, and some big names of the industry also making a comeback, according to Reed Exhibitions Italia, the organisers of the show.

The world’s largest exhibition for residential and industrial installations, air-conditioning and renewable energies scheduled for March 13 to 16, 2018 at Fiera Milano in Italy, will bring together the leading global companies in the field as well as over 155,000 professional visitors coming from 141 countries, according to figures released by MCE 2016.

Internationalisation as a strategic asset has been constantly one of the strengths of MCE that for this year’s edition has set up a new promotion project, Country Partner, choosing India as a special guest. Over the years, India’s increasing presence at MCE has registered constant growth both in the number of companies exhibiting (a 75 per cent increase in 2016 over 2014, whilst Indian exhibiting companies have booked more than 590 sq m of exhibition space) and visitors attending (a 4 per cent increase in 2016 compared with 2014 figure).

India, with more than 1.3 billion people, two-thirds of its population under the age of 30, and with real GDP that is projected to increase by 7 per cent through 2017, remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, thanks to an ambitious reform programme that will enhance the socio-economic fabric and the energy sector of the country. India is indeed an extraordinary trading partner for those Italian and European companies eager to explore business opportunities in one of the most dynamic and promising markets. The main purpose of Country Partner is to increase the possibilities for trade and partnerships among exhibitors and top players for the Indian market in the residential and industrial installations, air-conditioning and renewable energy industries.

“Country Partner is part and parcel of a full programme of promotional activities that every year we undertake to foster encounters between our exhibitors and decision-makers in some of the major global markets,” declared Massimiliano Pierini, managing director of Reed Exhibitions Italia. “The new project will be carried out in partnership with ANIMA, Federation of Italian Associations of Mechanical, Engineering, and Related Industries, and naturally a delegation representing Indian official institutions which are based in Italy,” he added.

The Country Partner’s project activities - which have already started being implemented in first official meetings held to define a step-by-step process – are structured into two phases.  Phase one, taking place before the exhibition, will focus on implementing ad-hoc promotion and communications activities, and organising a delegation of qualified buyers, who will be walking the aisles of MCE 2018 together with the delegation of official institutions.

Phase two of the project, taking place during MCE 2018, will comprise an official collective area expressly conceived for Indian companies, and a guided tour around exhibition stands arranged for Indian official institutions that will attend the open ceremony too. Lastly, a training seminar to present investment opportunities for Italian businesses in India.

Established in 1960 as Italy’s first trade exhibition, MCE has been a leader in the sector for more than 50 years thanks to its proven ability to follow the evolution across the reference markets, creating opportunities for technical, educational and political exchange and discussion.