Iñaki Domínguez, manager of the Fairgrounds, said it before the inauguration, with knowledge of the facts: «There are two magic words that summon people: One is balance, as it happens now, and the other, PIT (Children’s Park of Tenerife), because of what children mean to their parents ».
Domínguez, like the Councilor for Employment, Socioeconomic Development and Foreign Action of the Cabildo, Carmen Luz Baso, and the insular director of Socioeconomic Development, Ermitas Moreira, moved with the jeribilla prior to the event before the opening of the doors. Outside, more than 500 people were waiting, some as early as seven in the morning. The entrance could and can be purchased for a single euro.
The offer.
There was also some nervousness in Arancha de Saja, manager of Liefer, the educational toy store, despite his more than three decades of experience. The company presents “products with a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 80% discount.” Expect “a good response” and ensure compliance with security measures by the covid-19. The protocol “is key,” he assures. De Saja points out: «The Magi are coming now». There are 180 square meters of stand that after a while are filled with employees in full activity. Plus a warehouse of another 60 square meters. Arancha explains: “We ordered what we have here in January or February, it should have been in April, but it arrived this week.” Highlights some dump trucks, concrete pots and other construction-related toys that come from Korea. “If we had not been forward-looking, now it would not be possible to renew them due to transport problems.” Just in front, a pallet full of merchandise accesses the stand where César Reyes, half of Todoestocktenerife –The other is her brother Alexander–, she makes an effort to finish off. He comes from La Guancha “for the first time” and full of enthusiasm “for selling a lot.” As the name suggests, “we have everything from small electrical appliances to sound and image to toys.” Opposite, Viky Ceballos has lived in commerce since she was a child. She and Alfonso Cabrera touch up the clothes in the 16 square meters destined to Caca de la vaca, a clothing store with physical headquarters in the Toscalera Santiago street. For him “it is already a success that this fair is held and if, on top of that, we sell, then wonderful.” She does not let the journalist go without reminding him of an old commercial saying that became popular many years ago: “Everything cheap, everything thrown away, laughable prices, ha ha ha.” Follow the path. It is surprising to see a poster for Pamperolanzarote. It does not sell alcohol. It is a clothing store. It comes from Arrecife and is shown in two consecutive positions, with 48 square meters in total. Cristian Soria, the manager, explains: “We have come other years and this is the Fairground with the best conditions, due to its breadth and services.” He believes that “people are really looking forward to it and we expect a good end result, for them and for us.” Very near the end of the ship and the road, the Rivera Group shows its used vehicles. In front of a boomer tractor, a girl’s comment to her partner is “look at this, for the little farm.” Laura López, Marketing Director, explains: «It has been a difficult year. We have not had many fairs to show our offer for the pandemic. Now we want to show everyone that the automotive world, despite everything, is still alive.
The demand.
Chaxi, Kilian, Yary and David were among the first to access the Fairgrounds. The family found a place because David, the young man, had been queuing since 7:30 in the morning. After passing the strict control at the entrance of hand washing and temperature taking, with the mask on, of course. The intention was “to look, above all, and if there is something that is well priced, then we’ll see.” America, with crutches – many people with disability problems did not want to miss the appointment, including wheelchairs – and her husband, Juan Pedro, a middle-aged couple, They come looking for a specific household items position where they did very well in 2019, two years ago. They want to repeat. The reason for Ana (grandmother), Lorena (daughter) and Leo (grandson with almost a year) to go to Exposaldo is to look for clothes, shoes and accessories for Leo himself and his eight-year-old brother. Three generations united. Esther and Jasmine are also mother and daughter. Meetings to ask questions and make decisions after “looking around.” Sisters Adelaida and Candelaria, one of whom lives in Los Realejos and the other in La Orotava, come “by shot.” The second explains that you need to “dress” your home. They come to look for furniture, armchairs, in particular, and they hope to be successful. All of them have already entered but the queue continues outside. It is 11:30 am and it is over the access stairs to the Fairgrounds. Ariadna is at that moment the last in line. He is not at all discouraged by that. He is clear that he is going to access Exposaldo and values: «I am going to look, from the outset, but there is always a little detail».
The institutional.
The institutional vision is missing, the third leg of this sum of convergent lines. It is offered by the insular counselor for Employment, Socioeconomic Development and Foreign Action, Carmen Luz Baso: «
Exposaldo will remain open at the Tenerife Fairgrounds until next Sunday the 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Noveleros de la Isla, everything is possible for only 1 euro. Come and see this extraordinary souk. Indoor, safe and with guarantees of service and quality. Makes you want to go.
In 2019 this fair, one of the most important in the Canary Islands in the commercial sector, received more than 40,000 people, which shows the interest of the public in this type of proposal ». He adds: “Last year it was not possible to hold this meeting, so we put all our enthusiasm and interest in the 2021 edition.” He qualifies it as a “proposal for a reunion with shopping for the Christmas period, in a controlled and safe environment.” And Baso values: “Exposaldo will be an alternative for participating companies in terms of renewing the stock and even distributing products that have remained in warehouses during the pandemic.” He states that “we hope that the fair will meet expectations and be a success; this year, moreover, double as a resumption after the 2020 hiatus ».
A return with the maximum desire
After the forced break in 2020, Exposaldo, the island’s trade and opportunities fair, aims to reach the level of participation of other editions and, if possible, exceed expectations. Account this 2021 with 120 companies and 150 positions in more than 10,000 square meters. In several differentiated spaces. Such as those for the exhibition and sale of textiles, accessories, footwear, electrical appliances, hardware, furniture, household items, decoration, toys, motorcycles and second-hand vehicles. The aim is for customers to make a first contact with Christmas shopping, in a single area and at very advantageous prices.