Poliforum León
www.poliforumleon.com-
Uniqueness
Poliforum Leon is an exhibition centre with more than 30 years of existence. It is the perfect venue for congresses, conventions, exhibitions, concerts and a great number of events. It is the first venue with a hotel in Mexico.
Location
Leon (full official name León de los Aldama) is the administrative centre of the homonymous municipality in the Mexican state of Guanajuato.
The metropolitan area of León is the seventh most populous metropolitan area in Mexico. Although not the capital of the State, it is considered the capital for social, commercial and governmental services. Its first-class services and hotel industry make it one of the most important tourist centers in Mexico with numerous opportunities for entertainment, gastronomy, leisure activities, arts and recreation. It is also considered one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Mexico and has a developed bicycle network.
Poliforum Leon is part of the huge Poliforum Complex consisting of three parts: the Recreation Area, the Culture Area and the Business Area, covering a total of 67 hectares. It is only 15 minutes away from the International Airport of Guanajuato.
Interesting Facts
10 Top Convention & Exhibition Centers 2006-2014:
Poliforum León is recognized as one of the top 10 venues in Mexico. Poliforum Leon has earned this distinction for eight years running.Bronze Benchmarked EarthCheck:
This mark Certifies that the operation of Poliforum is sustainable.Poliforum also has memberships with major industry associations both nationally and internationally: AMPROFEC (the Mexican Association of Fair, Exhibition and Convention Professionals), AMEREF (the Mexican Association of Exhibition Venues), AFIDA (the International Association of Exhibitions in Latin America), ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Association), MPI (Meeting Professionals International).
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Recreation Area
State Fair Leon (Performance Center, amusement park, livestock exhibition, bars and restaurants, Domo de la Feria concert hall, and the People’s theatre);
Estadio León (Leon Football Stadium) (40,000 capacity, hosted matches for two World Cups and 1968 Summer Olympics matches);
Science Center and Explore Park for kids;
IMAX Theatre with the largest screen in Latin America;
23 hectares of greenery;
Lake Forum (outdoor stage with a panoramic pool hosting ballet or music shows with 2,500 capacity).
Cultural Area
Guanajuato Cultural Forum (hosting opera, music, theatre and dance shows, exhibitions and film screenings, forums, courses, workshops and seminars);
Wigberto Jimenez Moreno Central State Library;
Museum of Art and History of Guanajuato (Halls for History and Regional Art, Sculpture Hall, Temporary Exhibitions Hall, Auditorium, Library and cafeteria);
Bicentenario Theatre (one of the best theatres in Latin America with a capacity of 1,500).
Guanajuato Cultural Forum Bicentenario Theatre Business Area (Poliforum Leon)
Conference Halls (Building A and B)
Poliforum Leon has more than 12,000 m2/129,167 sq. ft. for conducting congresses and conventions. The area is divided into two levels.
Halls that can accommodate from 10 to 5,000 people on one floor.
Areas allow for the simultaneous holding of several exhibitions and conferences within the same space
Capacity for more than 20 concurrent breakout rooms in addition to the plenary halls where a keynote conferences can take place.
Exhibition Halls (Building B and C)
Poliforum Leon has more than 22,000 m2/236,806 sq. ft. divided into five column-free halls.
11 metres /36 feet high ceiling
Excellent flexibility allows events from 1,000 m2/ 10,764 sq. ft. to 42,000 m2/ 452,084 sq. ft of space to be used, the latter using the conference halls that are also fit for exhibitions.
It is easy to hold several different events at the same time without logistical problems.
The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott is a luxury hotel that has 140 rooms on 9 levels, plus two levels where the reception, lobby, lounge, restaurant, business center, pool terrace and mezzanine meeting rooms and fitness center are located.
Services
Audio and video equipment
Projector
Sound Equipment
TV
Transfer and service equipment
Forklifts
Lift platforms
Advertising
Advertising on front of main building
Use of crane for the installation of a canvas
Installation of banners on internal walls of Building 2
Furniture, equipment and accessories
Registration module
Chair and table rentals
Phone services
Telephone extension
Direct telephone extension
Local, long-distance and mobile calls
Electricity
Electrical outlets
Additional power service
Security services
Catering
Poliforum Leon boasts an international quality food and beverage service called Banquete Poliforum with the ability to serve three course meals at events for 10 to 8,500 people.
The quality and high standards of hygiene in the selection, preparation and presentation of the food is certified by the Distinctive H, the certificate awarded by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The venue has established itself as the most important service provider of food and beverage services in the region.
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Sustainability
Poliforum Leon has created a “Green Awareness” campaign, which is a strategy to achieve sustainability in its premises through the implementation of actions and activities that help create awareness of ecological issues and build a culture of caring for the Planet.
The following steps are taken:
Natural lighting is used in in 80% of the premises
Photovoltaic cells are used to to generate energy
Low energy consumption in used in lighting systems
Low water consumption lavatories
Biodegradable cleaning products
Waste separation and recycling
A 100% smoking free environment
Economic Impact and Attendance
Poliforum Leon is ranked in the top five of the most important trade fairs in the country, according to Top Convention&Exhibition Center México 2015.
In 2014 it hosted 125 events in different categories, among which there were large scale fairs such as SAPICA and ANPIC of the leather and shoemaking industry that are considered among the most important on the continent.
The revenue generated by the venue and the events held there in 2014 was 2.168 million pesos, a figure that grows every year. The economic impact was more than 2.800 million pesos.
As far as visitors are concerned, the attendance rate reached up to a record number of 6,800,000 people.
The operational activities of the venue generated 21,822 temporary and direct jobs.
SAPICA ANPIC Feria de León National Book Fair Leon TlaquepArte World Universities Conference Recap of Events
The International Footwear And Leather Goods Exhibition SAPICA
Date: biennially, spring and autumnThe international Footwear and Leather Goods exhibition is the most important in Latin America and the second most important in the Americas.
SAPICA is an exhibition of footwear and leather goods, where manufacturers and suppliers make the launch of the seasons Spring, Summer and Autumn, Winter, for men, women, children, sports and cowboy related goods. It is organized by the Chamber of the Footwear Industry of the State of Guanajuato.
There are historical records in the City Archives mentioning Leon as a producer of footwear in 1645, and in 1808-1809 it was registered as a guild. Nowadays over 100 international brands are produced in Mexico, which are exported to 60 countries all over the world. 70% of the footwear manufactured in Mexico is produced in Leon and surrounding cities.
SAPICA in numbers:
2,893 companies
25 countries
2,000 exhibition stands
9 pavilionsANPIC La Feria De América
Date: biennially, spring and autumnThis is the most important supply exhibition on the American continent and the third worldwide for the following sectors: leather goods, footwear, clothing, textile, and furniture.
ANPIC has established itself as an important business platform due to the business alliances made, which contribute to the growth and development of suppliers. Materials, machinery and trends are offered by exhibitors who distinguish themselves because of their innovative approach, design, quality and technology.
370 companies and over 985 brands participate in 1,200 stands in an area of 35,000 m2/ 376,737 sq. ft. Over 14,600 buyers and visitors, both national and international, attend ANPIC.
There is a special Trend Lab area dedicated to new trends. APIMEX’s fashion lab provides samples of the latest developments, information and consultations, concepts, materials and colours for the coming season.
Feria de León (Fair Of Leon)
Date: January-February, annuallyFeria de León is a city festival with a history stretching back 140 years. It has been held since 1876 to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the city. Since then, it has become a festival beloved by the citizens.
Fair of Leon is the third largest in Mexico, after the Aguascalientes and Texcoco, for its exhibits, the variety of events and the large number of visitors. It annually attracts over 5 million visitors.
The 26 days of the festival feature an impressive parade, amusement rides, bull running shows, performances by international artists, livestock exhibitions and regional handicraft exhibitions, lucha libre shows and gastronomy pavilions.
National Book Fair of Leon
Date: April/May, annuallyThe National Book Fair of Leon (FeNal) is the largest literary festival in Guanajuato with a history of more than 25-years. It is organized by the Instituto Cultural de León.
FeNal’s aim is to encourage and promote reading. It is considered one of the most important fairs in the country aimed at children and young people. It has been established as an academic and cultural forum that gathers exhibitors, teachers, writers, artists, students and the general public. Visitors can buy various bibliographic volumes, get in touch with the authors and participate in various artistic and cultural events. The FeNal-Norma Group Editorial Award is presented at this exhibition.
TlaquepArte
Date: September, February, bienniallyTlaquepArte is the most important Mexican exhibition of Latin American crafts, jewelry, gifts and decoration with a history of 18 years (as of 2015) and 56 editions in numerous cities. It is organized by the Latin American Association for the Promotion of Folklore and Crafts. It aims to promote and commercialize artisan crafts, jewelry and decorative items made by Mexican and international artisans through exhibitions in various regions of Mexico and in countries abroad, which would result in generating revenues and jobs for Mexican companies.
TlaquepArte is an event of great social and economic impact for the city, bringing around 250 exhibitors from 16 countries, both in Latin America and around the world.
Textile items, jewelry, pewter, glass, wood, ceramics, wrought iron, fashion accessories, decorative household items, religious items, antiques and other products are presented at the fair.
World Universities Conference
Date: October, annuallyThe World Universities Conference (WUC) is the most important inter-university event in Mexico. It brings together talented young people from around the country, providing tools and experiences that help them enhance their skills in innovative ways to compete in a global environment.
At WUC, the best contemporary speakers talk on innovation, success stories, entrepreneurship, politics, technology, sexuality, leadership and many other topics.
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In 1978 a group of businessmen from the footwear and tannery industry united and, securing the support of the State Government of Guanajuato, created a project that would become the symbol of the city: Poliforum León.
They started the initiative to build the first Convention and Exhibition Center of Leon with the aim of promoting the industry’s products on a national scale. The Center opened its doors in 1979.
After 15 years of operation the complex changed its name to Conexpo Leon.
In 1994, employers observed the rapid growth of two of the largest exhibitions held in Leon: ANPIC and SAPICA, so they sought the support of the governor for expanding and improving the facilities of Conexpo Lion. In 1996 the governor suggested a project with a new name, Centro Internacional de Negocios Guanajuato 2000 (Guanajuato International Business Centre). Later that name changed to the one we know today: Poliforum Leon.
The operation of Poliforum Leon started on December 9th, 2000 with the opening of Building C, built in accordance with the international standards of a world-class venue.
The venue recently completed a transformation process, which involved the modernization of building A and B, with the remodeling of the facade, lobby, entrances, emergency exits and service areas with high security, comfort and sustainability facilities of a world-class venue that meets the needs of the business tourism industry.
Even more recently a Courtyard by Marriott hotel has been built within the territory of the venue, making Poliforum the first facility with a Marriott hotel in Mexico.
Poliforum Leon