Celion Su Jenny Chen

Reporter： In the beginning of our interview I would like you to introduce the facilities of PTAK Warsaw Expo and the events categories.

Mr. Tomasz Szypula： PTAK Warsaw Expo is the largest trade fair and congress center in Central Europe. We have 500，000 square meters exterior outdoor space and 143，000 square meters exhibition space in 6 modern halls， with 15，000 parking spaces. In terms of location， PTAK Warsaw Expo is only 15 minutes drive from the Warsaw city center and 10 minutes drive from the International Chopin Airport in Warsaw from where there are direct flights from Chinese cities. Thanks to the convenient location in the sub-urban area， we are well connected with other places in Poland through high ways.

We currently host about 30 events in various sectors every year. I think that most of these shows are very interesting to participate for potential Chinese visitors and exhibitors， especially the shows in the sectors such as motor spare parts， cosmetics， machinery， fashion and textile.

We currently host about 30 events in various sectors every year. I think that most of these shows are very interesting to participatefor potential Chinese visitors and exhibitors， especially the shows in the sectors such as motor spare parts， cosmetics， machinery， fashion and textile.

Reporter： Are most exhibition venues in Poland state-owned or private？ Do you receive financial support from the government？

Mr. Tomasz Szypula： Yes， just as most countries in the world， many venues in Poland are public assets as they require big investments， but we belong to one of the biggest private family businesses in Poland. We do not receive government subsidies. However it is also important for us to cooperate with central government and local government. Most of our trade fairs is held under the patronage of individual Ministries.

The Trade Fairs are an important part of the Polish economy and provide lots of opportunities for Chinese companies in exploring the Polish market.

Reporter： What are your biggest challenges in the operation of Ptak Warsaw Expo？ How do You handle the challenges？

Mr. Tomasz Szypula： We are still a very young venue， so we need more promotion effort in the world. About 3 years ago， we started to participate in many industry events and talking to our potential clients. Unlike in China， where most of the venues are quite new， in Europe， most of the venues are very old and well known， therefore， we need to actively promote ourselves so that the visitors and exhibitors know that we are professional， especially that we can organize many international trade visitors.

Although our invest companies are very famous， the trade fair industry is a new sector that we have set our feet on. It takes time for people to get to know us， and for us to meet our clients. We want to find people who understand that Poland is a window to the big regional market of Central Europe.

Reporter： Do you organize your own shows？ If so， do you have guidelines to protect your current clients benefits？

Mr. Tomasz Szypula： Yes， we do organize our own shows， but we try our best not to compete with our clients. They are our treasures and we take good care of them. For our clients shows， we cannot only organize the ones from our Polish clients， but also from neighboring countries， thanks to our industry resources. This may be our biggest advantage.

Central Europe is very big， with aproximitely 100 million inhabitants. The economy has been growing rapidly and we need to meet foreign partners. From strategic point of view， Central European companies need to partner with the Chinese companies. In 2017， the Polish President Mr. Andrzej Duda met and signed the strategic cooperation agreement with the Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. I think now is the perfect timing for businesses between our two countries to step up the cooperation.

Reporter： Do you often travel to China？ What do you think about the possible cooperation between the two countries？

Mr. Tomasz Szypula： Unfortunately， not so much but I like China， and I think that the Polish-Chinese cooperation gives opportunities for companies from both sides. Now that the governments have opened the gates the business cooperation must speed up， and as an example I can suggest China in taking part in the business and cultural events. Knowing the people makes doing business easier. Although the languages are different in Poland and in China， the way of thinking is the same. I also want to mention that there are many Chinese students learning in Warsaw， so there is no problem in finding an assistant for Chinese exhibitors to the trade fairs at Ptak Warsaw Expo.