POSIDONIA 2008

June 2-6,2008

KEI joined in POSIDONIA2008 held in Athens, Greece from June 2nd to 6th in 2008. This was the 21st exhibition which was so large-scale. At the last exhibition in 2006, more than 16000 people visited. It was the first participation for KEI to take part in such a POSIDONIA exhibition.

When we arrived at Greece far from Japan, we were surprised at a lot of remains which Greece boasts to the world. We could see ruins of BC everywhere and felt as if the city itself was in the ruins. Being absorbed in seeing such world heritages, we left for the site of POSIDONIA2008 near Athens. It was Hellenikon Exhibition Centre which was in extensive space of old airport site.

Though the period of the exhibition was five days from June 2nd, there was only an opening ceremony from the evening on the first day. Before the opening ceremony of POSIDONIA2008, that of Japan Pavilion was held. When cutting ribbon, Takanori Kitamura, a Japanese ambassador in Greece, participated in and looked around the Japanese booths.
He visited our booth, looked at data logger and valve control system, and heard our explanation very eagerly.

After that, Costas Karamanlis, the Greece Prime Minister, and Giorgos Voulgarakis, Marine Minister, cut a ribbon and POSIDONIA2008 was opened.

Successful 5 days

On the second day, visitors actually started to come. Even though our booth was remote from the entrance, many people visited our booth. Many visitors were from Gree, but there were people from European countries, Turk and Dubai. There were some visitors who we only handed over the catalogues to, but many other people handled machineries and heard our explanation actually. So we did our best to explain our system.

I saw about 10 pupils and their teacher looking around the hall. Perhaps they would come for field study. I saw them off heart-warmingly wondering if some of them would become an owner in the future.
According to the announcement, total visitors of the exhibition were 17321 people and exhibitors were 1729 companies and groups. It exceeded the result of the last POSIDONIA2006. I felt great expectation for POSIDONIA of an oceanic country, Greece.