Posted by

Barry Siskind

UFILive Community Manager

In a communiqué (January 2010) issued by the communication department of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (www.bilbaoexhibitioncentre.com) one paragraph caught my attention:

“In recent years, the Bilbao Exhibition Centre has entered into several agreements with other trade fair centres and organisers of prestigious international exhibitions and conferences.  This new line of work is enabling the centre to broaden the scope of its actions and consolidate its position as a candidate to host a number of highly interesting events for the BEC itself and for local businesses and institutions.”

The result of partnerships has given the BEC access to new markets in new sectors so that in 2009, in spite of the recession, the BEC hosted 183 events drawing 1,227,887 people.

Do partnerships really work?

What should a facility that is looking to expand look for in a partner?

What are some of the obstacles in choosing the wrong partner?