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Good debut for Avante with around 9,000 visitors of life
Publication date: June 2008
In an atmosphere of generalised satisfaction, Avante closed its first show in Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via exhibition centre, having recorded almost 9,000 visitors. The new show, which exhibited products and services from different sectors related to disability, dependency and the elderly, exceeded the expectations of the 110 participating companies and of visitors, mainly trade, although the event received a constant flow of users.
According to the Director of the new Fira de Barcelona show, Josep Antoni Llopart, “the success of Avante is based on the combination of all sectors which work towards improving personal autonomy and quality of life, in their commitment to technological innovation, and in their agreement with the implementation of social policies in favour of dependency which increases the demand for information on new products and services that make the daily life of elderly and disabled people easier”.
Exhibits at Avante 2008 were divided into five areas: technical solutions, innovations and new medical technologies; care services; home and family; urban accessibility and mobility; and life, society and company, with bodies which promote equal opportunities and integration and participation in society.
The Innovation and Technology Transfer Area, which featured new products presented by various companies, and Hogar Avante (Avante Home), a prototype of a housing unit adapted and equipped with products and technologies that improve quality of life, were the most popular spaces.
Avante also provided an important debate forum, bringing together almost a thousand delegates, which hosted: the 20th Guttman Institute Technical Workshops on rehabilitation and regeneration in spinal cord injury, with scientists, researchers and doctors from all over the world; the Edad&Vida Foundation Workshops on dependency accreditation and quality of services and on cooperation between the public sector and private initiative to provide these services; the Knowledge Agora round tables and presentations, coordinated by Tic Salut; and the 1st Congress on Employers and Disability on the labour and social integration of disabled persons. Avante also hosted events organised by the ONCE Foundation, Turisme de Catalunya and Agrupació Mútua.
The first Avante was visited by numerous personalities such as the Princess of Asturias, Doña Letizia; the Duke of Palma, Iñaki Urdangarín; the Secretary of State for Social Services and Disability, Amparo Valcárcel; the Councillor for Social Action and Citizenship of the Catalan Generalitat, Carme Capdevila; the Councillor for Innovation, Universities and Companies, Josep Huguet; the Mayor of L’Hospitalet, Nuria Marín; the President of the Barcelona Council, Antoni Fogué; the scientist, Joaquim Fuster, the writer Álex Rovira and the rally driver, Isidre Esteve.
Avante, which was sponsored by Vodafone, the ONCE Foundation and the Department of Social Action and Citizenship of the Generalitat, will hold its next show in June 2010.
Barcelona, 7th of June 2008
Images at http://premsa.firabcn.es (2008 shows – Avante 2008)
Head of press: Maria Dolors Herranzº
Contact telephoneo: 93 233 25 41
Email address: mdherranz@firabcn.es