AFAG, Virgo Join Forces

Partners say exciting announcements are on the horizon.

Augsburg, Germany-based AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH and Bangalore, India-based Virgo Communications and Exhibitions are partnering, the trade fair organizers announced in August. AFAG’s trade fairs consist of 20 events, both international trade fairs like Interlift and “supraregional” public exhibitions and events. Covering areas that include elevator technology and grinding technology, Virgo has been organizing business-to-business events for the lift and escalator industry in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa, since 2004. It introduced the concept of vertical-transportation (VT)-specific trade fairs in India in 2007. “We are set to raise benchmarks even higher with several important announcements in the pipeline,” Virgo stated. 

The partnership involves Virgo and AFAG supporting each other in their respective markets, as well as in other countries worldwide for both new and existing exhibitions. “This partnership marks a significant development for the elevator, escalator and moving walks trade-fair segment,” Anitha Raghunath, director of Virgo and publisher of ELEVATOR WORLD India, said. “The focus is now on collaborating, identifying potential growth prospects and developing them together with our combined strengths.” 

In addition to our existing representatives in China, Turkey and Italy, our Virgo colleagues will strengthen AFAG’s acquisition activities abroad. 

Raghunath observed:

“We were instrumental in bringing the elevator and escalator expo concept to India and introducing a dedicated publication for the VT industry in the Indian market with Elevator World, Inc. During the past decade and a half, we have also been a key facilitator for the VT industry through dedicated exhibitions and publications in countries that are potential growth markets for elevators and escalators, such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa, so our progress and achievements are quite evident.” 

More recently, Virgo has supported the VT industry through facilitating virtual communication and hosting industry-specific webinars. It is also in the process of initiating new web platforms and concepts that will enable industry players to connect with their customers on a day-to-day basis. Virgo “aims to constantly come up with innovative ways for the VT industry to collaborate, share resources and combine forces.” 

Virgo’s event portfolio includes power transmission, elevator technology, grinding technology and beer/brewing technology, “making it an ideal complement to AFAG’s program,” which includes international trade fairs like Interlift for the VT industry and GrindTec for the grinding industry. 

AFAG observed: 

“In addition to our existing representatives in China, Turkey and Italy, our Virgo colleagues will strengthen AFAG’s acquisition activities abroad. This new partnership between AFAG and Virgo, which will support each other in their respective home markets for both new and existing exhibitions, will create new synergies for both companies, as well as opportunities to develop new target groups.”