Auto show: a “Genferei” as the end

news-single-imgcaption" style="width:240px;">What is interesting is that the foundation had declared publicly last April that in the event of Palexpo taking control of the event, exhibitors and manufacturers would not follow. (Keystone)

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15 million francs: it is on this basis that negotiations will be initiated soon between the organizers of the Motor Show and Palexpo, designated as the buyer of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS). A broken price, even sacrificed. Especially when you know that its economic spinoffs for the canton of Geneva are estimated at around 200 million francs.

However, this is what Maurice Turrettini himself, chairman of the Foundation Board who owns the rights to the Fair, said this week.

How did the foundation of the Salon come to offer its jewel, the largest event in Switzerland, on a tray? Everything suggests a new “Genferei” which combines the Canton, Palexpo and the foundation.

What is interesting is that the foundation had declared publicly last April that in the event of Palexpo taking control of the event, exhibitors and manufacturers would not follow. The tone has changed today. The organizers speak of negotiations started with their host to conclude the deal by the end of August at the latest.

Except that on the Palexpo side, this turnaround is disturbing. “We are asked in the press to tell us that we want to sell us the Auto Show, is surprised with an ironic look Claude Membrez, director of Palexpo. I imagine that we will now be contacted by the main stakeholders, ”he says.

Proof of this disenchantment between GIMS and Palexpo, the statements of Sandro Mesquita who announced that he would withdraw in the event of a takeover of Palexpo. “I will not work for Palexpo,” warns the current director of GIMS. “For the moment, nothing has been decided on the future direction. But I can tell you that if Palexpo is chosen, things will stop for me ”, certifies the CEO, who just arrived in May 2020. Atmosphere.

Communication is just as blurred between the foundation and the State of Geneva. Twice, she refused a loan of 16.8 million francs to suddenly favor the sale of the event. “The reasons for the first refusal were found in the loan conditions which were not acceptable to the foundation,” commented in late May in our columns Sandro Mesquita. Bis repeated a few weeks later, despite the review of the loan conditions by the Grand Council.

The political muddle was confirmed at the GIMS press conference on Tuesday. As an aside, the organizers attacked Pierre Maudet, accused of wanting to get their hands on the institution through Palexpo and pushed to organize an event in 2021 which the exhibitors do not want.

For his part, the State Councilor rejects the critics and wonders: “Why did the foundation of the Salon finally give up finding other sources of financing with the loan from the State of Geneva and today favors Hui to sell the event to the highest bidder? ” For some indeed, this could be interpreted as a sign that the organizers no longer believe in the future of their event.

Either way, the reality today is that the Auto Show is on sale. As incredible as it may seem. A prestigious event for Geneva, which was to inaugurate its 90^e edition this year. Founded in 1905, re-established in 1923, the Auto Show is the country’s largest event regularly attracting over 600,000 visitors and one of the top five global vehicle exhibitions. Let us hope that despite everything, for Geneva, a happy outcome is found.

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