Brno Trade Fair

For those newcomers to Brno whose reason for coming here is to work for one of the large multinational companies that have invested here in recent years it's probably difficult to imagine the influence that the Brno Trade Fair or BVV had on the city in the past. Especially in socialist times the city ground to a halt during the Engineering trade fair which is traditionally held in September. All accommodation was full at top prices, restaurants and pubs were officially allowed to put their prices up and many local ladies were keen to act as personal guides to the visiting business men ;) Only the moto Grand Prix in thesummer had a similar effect. The trade fairs were rare opportunities to make contact with foreigners, see new products and perhaps even obtain a freebie plastic carrier bag, indeed they were glamorous days! Some of that glamour may have gone now but the BVV has tried to move with the times and still attracts massive crowds. This week for example it is the construction trade fair from Tuesday to Saturday they expect 100,000+ visitors. For those newcomers to Brno whose reason for coming here is to work for one of the large multinational companies that have invested here in recent years it's probably difficult to imagine the influence that the Brno Trade Fair or BVV had on the city in the past. Especially in socialist times the city ground to a halt during the Engineering trade fair which is traditionally held in September. All accommodation was full at top prices, restaurants and pubs were officially allowed to put their prices up and many local ladies were keen to act as personal guides to the visiting business men ;) Only the moto Grand Prix in thesummer had a similar effect. The trade fairs were rare opportunities to make contact with foreigners, see new products and perhaps even obtain a freebie plastic carrier bag, indeed they were glamorous days! Some of that glamour may have gone now but the BVV has tried to move with the times and still attracts massive crowds. This week for example it is the construction trade fair from Tuesday to Saturday they expect 100,000+ visitors. If you've never been to the BVV it's worth a visit for the architecture and the indefinable atmosphere. They may even still have the Beatles crackling out over the PA system. Who says they haven't moved with the times! More info http://www.bvv.cz/homepage-gb

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Comments

#1 BVV — tyvole 2009-04-22 17:08

I think the one in September still has a large attendance. I tried to book my mom and her husband into a pension they normally stay at during that time one year and they owner told me everything was booked all the way to Kurim.

The auto exhibition is quite nice and features some very lovely models, cars and girls, and the Rolling Stones and Kabat played there a few years ago.

#2 Big week — mod 2009-09-15 17:51

So, this week used to be and still is to some extent the biggest in Brno's calendar. The MSV or International Engineering Fair is taking place. Along with the Grand Prix weekend these were occasions in socialist times when normal life in the city ground to a halt and many locals turned their hands to the various needs of the many visitors ;)

If I remember rightly pubs and restaurants had official permission to bump up the prices and every possible sleeping place was let at premium rates.

I think its true to say that the influence of the trade fairs on the city has waned but they still create a unique atmoshere. If you've never been to the BVV where the fairs are held the architecture of the pavilions is worth the admission price alone.

You will also probably hear some bizarre variants on the English language from the business people attending.

More info here:

http://www.bvv.cz/msv-gb

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