With the last year’s turnover increase of 11.7 percent Litexpo planning more income from conference business this year

Last year the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre LITEXPO reached a turnover of 13.3 million LT, which is by 11.7 percent more than in 2011, when the company's turnover amounted to 11.9 million LT. In 2012 Litexpo income from conference activities accounted for 5 percent of total revenues, i.e., 665 thousand LT. In comparison with 2011, the income from conference activities grew by 17 percent. In 2013 Litexpo expects the largest growth particularly from the conference activities. It is estimated that the income in this sector will grow by 65 percent. The plans are associated with the growing number of events relating to the business sector. For the first time in the Baltic countries, the International Conference Tourism Fair Convene is going to be held in LITEXPO on 13-14 February. Moreover, several events relating to Lithuania's presidency of the European Union are planned in Litexpo too. "Last year we grew along with the recovering market in Lithuania. We also made great efforts in the development of the field of conference. We hope that the work will make good returns in 2013. We have already planned a significant number of business conferences. We are also going to deal with a few events relating to the presidency of the EU. Furthermore, we are planning to organize a few conferences on our own. So this year we have definitely ambitious plans", said Litexpo director Darius Aleknavičius. In 2012 131 events were held in Litexpo Conference Centre, which is by 41 percent more than in 2011, when there were 93 events. Their total floor area was 116 thousand square metres. The area grew by 26.5 percent in comparison with 2011, when it amounted to 92 thousand square metres. Last year in LITEXPO conference centre events took place throughout 156 days. "Lately we have been observing a tendency of growing demand for creativity in the field of conferences in the whole world. Customers request conferences in non-traditional spaces and a more interesting conference format. We are trying to apply these trends in Lithuania too. We hope that many years of experience enriched by fresh perspective will help us to better position ourselves in this market", stated Aleknavičius. In total, more than 51 thousand participants attended the events, which is by 64 percent more than in 2011, when the number of participants reached 31 thousand. Most of them attended the Login Conference. 2,800 people participated in it. Moreover, this event occupied the largest area - 4000 square metres. Most popular topics during the conference were marketing, sales, taxes and personnel management.