Visitors throng expat fair at Geneva's Palexpo

by Malcolm Curtis

October 12, 2009 | 10:26

Defying the economic slowdown, thousands of people descend on the fourth annual Expat-Expo at Geneva’s Palexpo exhibition hall on the weekend. Participants of the exposition aimed at showcasing businesses that cater to Anglophones in Switzerland are largely delighted with the turnout at the event, the largest of its kind in Switzerland, ahead of one planned for the first time next month in Lucerne.

An estimated 5,000 people visited the fourth annual Expat-Expo in Geneva on Sunday, surprising a number of exhibitors who were bracing for a sluggish time to match the economic climate.

The event at Hall 7 of the Palexpo exhibition centre in Grand-Sacconex featured 175 stands with firms, companies and individuals offering products and services tailored to Anglophone expats in Switzerland.

“I think it went well,” said Ed McGaugh, organizer of the exposition. “We certainly gave out more flyers and shopping bags (filled with promotional materials) this year,” he said. “We ran out about an hour before the show closed.”

The year’s expo featured a larger space – 4,000 square metres – and different attractions, including a giant “bouncy dog” that proved to be a hit with children. Kids clambered around and jumped on the inflatable attraction, seven metres long and about four metres high, which dominated the centre of the floor space.

Visitors sipped wine and whisky at several tasting stands run by distributors, sampled British cheese and wandered among exhibits promoting services ranging from relocation companies to financial advisers and companies catering to the needs of spouses of managers relocated to Switzerland.

Some were surprised to see Sherkan, the eagle mascot of the Genève-Servette Hockey Club, flying around the hall.

Total Feet, a service offered by Mark Festor, a Canadian expat living in France, was among the more ususual offerings. Festor, a trained podiatrist, custom fits ski boots and other sport shoes.

With the ski season coming up, he told Swisster, he could end problems for enthusiasts of the slopes who endure agonies because of problems with their boots.

Other exhibitors said they were pleasantly surprised by the turnout. “I was very satisfied with the stand,” said Mike Beaudet, an American expat who runs an English-speaking ski school from the Alpine resort of Megève, not far from Geneva.

“It was perfect,” said Beaudet, who added that he ran out of brochures by the end of the show. Staff from Swisster was on hand for the event, providing information about the English-language website and offering a draw for a free IPod for those providing business cards.

Dave Galloway, a Geneva resident, won the draw. “That’s the best news I’ve had in years,” said the American expat after learning the news. Galloway has carved out a living as a “handyman” who spruces up apartments for relocation companies who find housing for expat families.

McGaugh, meanwhile, is gearing up for his next show in Lucerne on November 15. It’s the first time that Expat-Expo is holding a show in the city, join those held annually in Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Zug.

The event is being held in association with Lucerne’s Business Development office at the Museum of Transport. Swisster is among the 85 exhibitors lined up for the event.

McGaugh said the venue, next to the city’s conference centre with a panoramic view if the Alps, is unique and will offer a “great place” for expats in that part of Switzerland to rendezvous. For more information, click here.

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