Held Sept. 17-18 in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, ELEVarte attracted 31 exhibitors and 500 visitors.

The first ELEVarte show, held Sept. 17-18 in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, drew more than 500 visitors from Spain and Europe together to talk about business and to experience powered access equipment in a relaxed environment.

Despite being held for the first time during a year in which the Spanish machinery sector is still coping with the economic recession, ELEVarte attracted 31 exhibitors, including leading manufacturers and distributors of lifting equipment, with more than 100 machines on display.

The show was officially opened by Marta Viñuelas, councilor for tourism and economic development of Alcalá de Henares. ELEVarte was jointly organized by the International Powered Access Federation and Spanish-language magazine Movicarga.

“ELEVarte marks the start of a new philosophy of meetings between Spanish professionals,” said Romina Vanzi, IPAF representative for Spain and Portugal. “Our industry needs a forum to share experiences and knowledge, and a stage to establish personal contacts between customers and dealers. This is what we have offered at ELEVarte.”

“Our Spanish members asked us to look at economical ways of supporting their activities in these difficult times — ELEVarte was our response,” said IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman.

For more details about ELEVarte, visit www.elevarte.es.

IPAF is a not-for-profit members’ organization that promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide. Members include rental companies, manufacturers, distributors and equipment owners. Further information can be found at www.ipaf.org.