Event businessman turned application driver during the pandemic

The segment of large trade fairs is being reactivated little by little, as many events had already been postponed to 2022.

“Exhibitors were afraid of making a high investment and attracting little public”, says Ângelo Savino, president of ABBFEC (Brazilian Association of Buffets for Corporate Fairs and Events) and owner of Pimenta-de-Cheiro Buffet e Eventos.

“The full release of capacity only took place this month in São Paulo, and most exhibitors had already decided to postpone the events until next year”, says the 61-year-old businessman, who has worked in the sector for over 30. But, during the pandemic, he had to work as a private and application driver. Its first major event took place last month, Intersolar South American, at Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo. “I spent 20 months without issuing an invoice”, he says.

The scenario is now promising: the convention centers are quickly completing their calendar for 2022. “We have a very good expectation that everything will return to normal”, says Savino. But the organizers of the events that were postponed from 2020 to this year are having to hand over the parties and fairs, assuming for themselves all the increase in costs caused by the inflation of the period.

“Companies are heavily indebted, but they need to deliver events to honor their commitments and remain active,” says Fátima Facuri, 56, president of ABEOC (Brazilian Association of Event Companies). She forecasts a 10% increase in services next year, to partially offset inflation.

“In several lines of business, it is impossible to hold a virtual event”, says Fátima. “How is one going to taste wines, discover new flavors and dishes, or feel a cosmetic product if it is not in person?”, he asks. “Other than that, nothing it replaces true networking, eye-to-eye exchanges.”

This week, in Rio, the Expo Franchising ABF 2021 took place at the Sul América Convention Center, between the 11th and 13th, organized by Dois Lados Eventos for the Brazilian Franchising Association. It was the first major face-to-face franchise fair since the beginning of the pandemic.