Traders' concern at Lineapelle location

For a number of years, the raw material exhibitors have been bunched together. This, in itself, is not a problem. However, the management of Lineapelle have taken it upon themselves to place the raw materials section in the most obscure of places which is well away from the main body of the fair and difficult to find. Over the last two fairs, the amount of passing visitors has been almost zero which completely defeats the purpose of a fair. The amount of raw materials exhibitors at Lineapelle May this year was highly reduced as many exhibitors refused to be present under these conditions. This section was an absolute disaster with almost no visitors. It seems to us that Lineapelle considers the raw materials suppliers to be of a lower standard than the rest of the exhibitors at the fair. During the November fair, some of the African exhibitors commented that they felt the organisers had placed them in obscure positions so that they could not be seen. Naturally, all exhibitors were again extremely discontent in May and sent another petition to Lineapelle. We received a reply from them and have now written to Walter Peretti, president of UNIC, for an explanation. Geoffrey Gluckman East Hides Ltd Petition to Lineapelle We, the exhibitors in the area of 'raw materials', wish to express our complete dissatisfaction with our position (Pavilion 36, 1st floor). 1) Our location is out of the mainstream area of the fair 2) We have received very few visitors passing our stands 3) Our business interacts with the tanneries and we are very far away from them 4) Not all the raw material companies are placed together and it is most unfair that many other raw material companies are in the mainstream fair We kindly request the following changes for the next fairs: a) That the raw materials section is placed in one of the pavilions where tanneries are located b) That all raw material companies are placed together and no discrimination is shown (especially to non-Italian companies) We look forward to hearing from you shortly on this matter. Signed by more than 20 exhibitors We have duly noted your feeling of uneasiness as per your letter of November 8, 2001. Mixing different sectors is contrary to our choices, as well as mixing suppliers and clients. At the moment, therefore, we have to exclude alternative options, that anyway we shall examine and submit to you as soon as possible. Lineapelle November 15, 2001. Lineapelle's response to second petition in which exhibitors requested a refund from the May edition and better positioning for November: We have taken note of your complaint of last May 7. We shall ask the tanneries if they are interested for the next editions in an exhibiting sector for raw materials. However, we have to tell you that their representative association (UNIC) is opposed because of the repeated obstructionist attitude of your representation (ICHSLTA) towards their proposal of a contract model which, as it came from customers, should have been taken respectfully and with greater consideration. Lineapell Letter dated May 27 to Walter Perretti, president of UNIC: As you know, I discussed this matter with you during the last November fair and again in May this year. You told me that UNIC is not responsible for the extremely bad positioning of the raw materials exhibitors at the leather fair. However, from Lineapelle's letter of May 17, it appears that has been done on your instruction. Could you please clarify why you have instructed the Lineapelle people to place the raw materials companies in such an obscure and disadvantageous position. Geoffrey Gluckman