B – With the BAPP Networking Gift Show, BAPP (Belgian Association of Promotional Products) hosted the most important get-together of the Belgian promotional products industry on August 28, 2025. Unlike in previous years, the trade fair was not held in Schelle near Antwerp this year, but instead in La Maison de la Poste in the heart of Brussels. The board member, Julien Grandjean, was already happy at the beginning of the event: “We are delighted to be able to organise the trade show in the heart of Europe with this new location. With 450 pre-registered visitors, we were already able to top last year’s figures.”
The 63 importers, suppliers and manufacturers from Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and many other European countries were distributed around the big exhibition hall of the Maison de la Poste and a separate foyer. In spite of the vast space available, in some areas queues formed in front of the stands, where lively discussions were held.
Some of the exhibitors criticised the new venue, particularly because of the logistical challenges in the centre of Brussels. However, the central location proved ideal for visitors, who travelled to the event by train. Towards midday the mood at the stands swayed slightly. Hanna Künstle, Export Sales Manager at uma Schreibgeräte, had hoped for a higher frequency of visitors: “We held some good discussions, but it could have gladly been more. But things are always a little bit quieter at the end of the summer and the second half of the trade show season is still to come.” Maurice Santman from the Dutch promotional products specialist, Premo, came to a similar conclusion: “Overall, there could have been more guests, but we are satisfied. Considering the show is on in Houten next week, which many people place their main focus on, it is pretty busy here.”
The Managing Director of meterex, Oliver Kuntze, was already very positive in the afternoon: “Although our stand is right at the end of the hall, we held one good discussion after the other. We already consider the day a total success now and are more content than last year.“ The organising team was also happy with the first edition of the Networking Gift Show at the new location in Brussels: “For the first time in the Belgian Capital, we are very satisfied. We are already looking forward to next year, when the BAPP will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary,” Grandjean summed up.
// Mika Gehlen
Photos: Mika Gehlen, © WA Media
