History of Expocentre

The history of Expocentre is directly connected with the history of exhibition activity in this country.

It all started when the All-Union Chamber of Commerce (later renamed the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the USSR) added a Department of Foreign Exhibitions that was later transformed into a Division of International and Foreign Exhibitions in the USSR, which became the predecessor of Expocentre.

In the 1950s foreign business circles were interested in expansion of economic cooperation with the USSR. In 1959, Expocentre held the first American Exhibition in Sokolniki Park. On the area of 41,000 sqm visitors saw household appliances, equipment for city and public utilities, vehicles, etc. The exhibition was opened by Nikita Khrushchev and US Vice President Richard Nixon.

Soon there were held national exhibitions of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and other countries.

In 1964, Expocentre organized the first large-sale international event – the Stroydormash – that showcased the latest road construction equipment. Its figures impress even now: 377 companies from 20 countries occupied 54,000 sqm. The exhibition was co-organized by the State Committee on Construction, Road and Municipal Machine Engineering under the USSR Gosstroy.

In the 1960s, the event programme started taking shape. Two decades later it covered all main branches of the Soviet economy.

Among many projects that were brought to life in the 60s and 70s, the special place belongs to the Khimia International Exhibition. It was launched in 1965 on the initiative of then Minister of the USSR Chemical Industry Leonid Kostandov. In 1975, Khimia became the first Russian event to receive the approval logo of UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The success of Khimia was followed by other significant and large events such as Sviaz (communications), Lesdrevmash (timber industry), Elektro (electric industry), Neftegaz (oil and gas industries), Inlegmash (light industry), etc.

An ever-growing number of exhibitions required extra floor area, an efficient infrastructure and organization. In the mid 1970s, Nikolai Patolichev, the USSR Minister of Foreign Trade, encouraged the USSR Chamber of Commerce and Industry to ask the Government to erect a new modern venue on the banks of the Moskva River next to Krasnaya Presnya Park.

The fist pavilion was opened in 1977. In 1978 it welcomed its first show, Derevoobrabotka (woodworking).

In the 1980s, the construction of Expocentre Fairgrounds at Krasnopresnenskaya embankment went into high gear. After Pavilion No. 1, appeared Pavilion No. 2 and Forum. Forum is a unique building that looks like a glass pyramid; it has become Expocentre’s symbol.

In 2002, a new Pavilion No. 7 brought to life an idea of two-level exposition area with transforming halls. It allowed Expocentre to expand its convention services as this pavilion accommodates a conference hall seating 300 persons. It is equipped to hold movie conventions.

Together with the floor area, Expocentre was increasing its annual floor space turnover. In 2008, it reached the record 18 per 1 sqm. The higher number belongs only to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre that do not stop working even during quiet summer months.

Expocentre’s international prestige is also growing. Today, 22 events proudly carry the UFI logo: Khimia (chemical industry), Consumexpo (consumer goods), Zdravookhraneniye (health care), Prodexpo (foodstuffs and beverages), Mebel (furniture), Lesdrevmash (timber industry), Metalloobrabotka (metalworking), Agroprodmash (agriculture and food processing), Sviaz-Expocomm (telecommunications), Elektro (electric industry), Inlegmash (light industry), Mir Stekla (glass industry), Neftegaz (oil and gas), Mir Detstva (goods for children), Obuv. Mir Kozhi (shoes and leather products), Reklama (advertising), and Sklad.Transport.Logistika (warehousing, transportation, logistics), Photonics. The World of Lasers and Optics, Toy and Game, Interlakokraska (paints and varnishes), CJF (child and junior fashion) and Healthy Life-style.

Expocentre’s history still continues to flourish. New events – such as Photonics, Navitech-Expo (navigation) and ICA–the International Chemical Assembly – were launched. At the same time our traditional exhibitions are going strong as testified by the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Sviaz-Expocomm’2009 and his high opinion of the event.

In 2008, Pavilion No. 8 with floor space of 20,000 sqm was opened. Today it is the most technically perfect exhibition pavilion in Russia. Its halls comply with the highest acoustic demands, which allows holding symphonic concerts.