HIT SHOW 2017 TO FOCUS ON BUSINESS AND EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES

-The latest edition of the international trade show for the hunting, target sports and individual protection sectors will take place in Vicenza between 11 and 13 February 2017.

-The event is organised by Italian Exhibition Group Spa, a new events company created through the merger of Rimini Fiera and Fiera di Vicenza.

-New features include a rifles section.

Vicenza, 14 December2016– HIT SHOW 2017, the international trade show for the hunting, target sports and individual protection sectors, looks set to be an edition packed full of exciting new features. The event – which will take place in the Vicenza exhibition district between 11 and 13 February 2017 – is a point of reference for lovers of these fieldsand represents a business platform for the civilian and sports arms sectors, which occupy a position of particular strategic importance in terms of internationalisation. The upcoming edition aims to enhance the B2B aspect of the show, while at the same to consolidate the B2C format through experience activities, workshops, seminars and meetings.

One of the main new developments regarding the next edition of HIT SHOW is that it will be organised by Italian Exhibition GroupSpa (IEG), the new events company created by the merger of Rimini Fiera andFiera di Vicenza. The group has thus inherited the skills, know-how and respected industry standing of Fiera di Vicenza in the hunting, target sports and individual protection sectors, which it built up first with HUNTING SHOW and later with HIT SHOW. The show is now in its third edition, with IEG teaming up with ANPAM(Italian National Association of Manufacturers of Arms and Ammunition) to organise the event in collaboration with ASSOARMIERI and CONARMI.

The 2016 edition of HIT SHOW saw over 360 exhibitors take part, an increase of 15% on 2015, while the 36,000 visitors that attended was 16% more than the previous year. The international flavour of the show is underlined by the presence of many buyers from the Baltics, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA.

HIT SHOW 2017will feature the leading international brands, distributors and top Italian companies in arms and munitions for civilian and sports use, hunting, individual protection equipment and accessories, technical clothing, eyewear, target sports products and the outdoor industry, as well as a section on dogs. In order to create more business opportunities between companies and operators and to further boost the arms of civilian and sports use sector, which is one of Italy’s most successful industries, IEG will be organising an intense buyer incoming activity.

The event will be divided into four goods areas. HUNTING will provide hunting lovers with a chance to hone their technical knowledge and perfect best practices in arms and munitions handling, as well as keeping up to date with the latest products on the market. A new section dedicated to rifles will be running within this area.INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION will promote links between the leading producers and specialist professionals who will demonstrate the best personal protection techniques for use by civilians and the police. TARGET SPORTS will provide aficionados and athletes with a wide range of sports arms and munitions, as well as other equipment and technical clothing. There’ll also be a range of innovative ideas designed to boost sporting performance.DOG SHOWwill feature 1300 dogs, comprising some of the best breeds and animals, including both hunting and non-hunting varieties, with the dogs competing in front of the public in two ENCI-recognised national competitions. An international-standard judging panel will be on hand to decide the winners of the second edition of the Diviana trophy.

The 2017 edition will feature several experience areas including shooting ranges, airguns, practical shooting, field target, archery and laser shot. A special area will be reserved to professionals taking part in training courses.

HIT SHOWwill dedicate a large area to target sports, a sector in which Italy is the global leader. Visitors will be able to indulge their passion and get to know established athletes. As well as the activities scheduled at the Poligono di Montebello, the fifth edition of the HIT SHOW trophy will also take place. The event is organised by IEG in collaboration with the Italian Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (FITAV) and will be taking place at a number of shooting ranges in the Veneto region.

On top of all that, there will also be a range of workshops, seminars and meetings on the key issues relating to hunting, civilian and sports arms, individual protection, industry legislation and safety. The third edition of the graduation prizefor theses relating to arms, explosives and munitions for the civilian market will also take place. The prize is named after Vito Genco, one of the founders of ANPAM.

HIT SHOWpays particularly close attention to training as part of its aim to teach preferred safety techniques relating to sporting activity and individual protection. The wider culture around these practices and the world of hunting is also an important part of the event, as is environmental sustainability and respect for nature.

ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP: FOCUS ON

Italian Exhibition Group Spa is a new events company created by the merger of Rimini Fiera and Fiera di Vicenza, two of the leading names in the Italian events industry. The group – which is presided over by Lorenzo Cagnoni, with Matteo Marzotto as vice president – is the biggest events company in Italy in terms of directly organised shows, with 63 products in the group’s portfolio (which is owned at 90%) and 160 events and conferences. The events are in some of Italy’s most successful industries, including Food and Beverage, Green, Technology, Entertainment, Tourism, Transport, Wellness, Jewellery and Fashion, Lifestyle and Innovation.

The group’s priority is to promote the internationalisation of these sectors and help them fly the flag for beautiful, well-made products around the world. The group already has a solid base in the international market, with a joint venture in the United Arab Emirates, notable presence in USA, China and India and projects launched in South America.

IEG is also the leading Italian company in the conference and congress sector, with two venues located in areas of strategic importance to the Italian economy.

In 2016, Italian Exhibition Group Spa expects to register revenue of around €119m (making it Italy’s second-largest company in the sector in terms of volume), EBITDA of 19% or €22.1m (earning it top spot in terms of profitability) and EBIT of 11% or €13.6m. The company has a net worth of over €100m.

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