Compass to host expo in March 2010

KOLKATA, INDIA: Determined to organize its annual expo this time, Compass has finalized the dates and venue for the same shortly after appointing its new President and the executive committee members. Counted as the biggest expo in eastern India, the event is scheduled to take place between March 12-15, 2010 at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata, where it is usually held. Chairing the expo committee will be immediate past-President of Compass, Pawan Jajodia while other members are yet to be finalized.

“In our last meeting on Oct 8, we had selected Pawan Jajodia as the Chairman of the expo committee and after consultations with him, shortly we will be appointing the Convener,” said Alok Garodia, President, Compass. Jajodia said, “With the festive season going on, most of our members are busy. Soon, we will communicate the matter to them and we also welcome vendors to participate in the expo.” Sources in Compass indicated that a whopping Rs 1 crore budget may be sanctioned for the event.

Previously, Compass had to call off its proposed expo, expecting poor footfall citing date clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season and the Lok Sabha elections given the then mounting security issues, although sources in the association suggested lack of funds and sponsorships as the primary reason for the cancellation. It was then that Jajodia, the then President of Compass had assured that the expo will be held in December this year. Sources within the association claimed that Compass had undergone a loss of Rs 5 lakh on account of the cancellation. However, the association has planned to go ahead with the expo in March next year, citing budgetary issues and is hoping that at that time, vendor participation will be satisfactory and footfall will be good.