ZAGREB FAIR Avenija Dubrovnik 15 10000 Zagreb Croatia/Hrvatska Tel. +385/1/650 3111 Fax +385/1/652 0643 E-mail: zagvel@zv.hr www.zv.hr

History of Zagreb Fair

In perpetuating the long history and tradition of fairs, that began for us as long ago as 1242 when the King Bela IV promulgated the Golden Bull announcing that the City of Zagreb was granted the status of free royal city with a right to hold fairs Zagreb has nurtured and successfully developed trade. The first large international exhibition was held in 1864 in Zagreb. It is no accident that Zagreb Fair has developed over many years to become the leading fair in this part of Europe and the eleventh largest fair in the world. Zagreb Fair is one of the founder-member of the Union of International Fairs (UFI), in 1925.

The period from 1956 and onwards is considered to be especially significant for the development of the Zagreb Fair, as according to merit of Mr. Veceslav Holjevac, the mayor of the City of Zagreb, the grounds of the Zagreb Fair was relocated across the river Sava. And from that time on the Zagreb Fair has started its vigorous growth.

Zagreb Fair covers a total area of 505.000 sq.m.gross exhibition space, of which more than 180.000 sp.m. comprise covered exhibition areas and a modern infrastructure which permits the holding of events also during winter months.

Zagreb Fair organizes more than 30 separate specialized events every year which attract in excess of 7.000 exhibitors, both domestic and foreign, as well as about one million of general and trade visitors. One of the most prestigious events is unquestionably the Zagreb International Autumn Fair.

In parallel with events numerous congresses, symposia and workshops are also held at the grounds of the Zagreb Fair, in which prominent scientific local and world figures take part regularly. The Congress Centre of Zagreb Fair has 22 well equipped conference rooms, and office premises in different sizes and different purposes, seating altogether 2.200.

As a result of the new development concept, Zagreb Fair has decided that from 1994 on a part of the indor exhibition area should become a permanent exhibition on export potentials of Croatian economy - a Trade Marts. Thus, foreign visitors will be able to see all the significant export products of Croatia on the spot.

Zagreb fair is also a member of Alpe Adria Fair Association

Since 1990 Zagreb Fair has also been an active member of the World Trade Centre (WTC), as a part of WTC Association with the seat in New York, a recognized family, which has more than 260 centres in some 69 countries. Success and business efficiency has been a byword for the Zagreb Fair and has helped it to achieve a high reputation around the world.

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