It's the time for Tube Dusseldorf. I guess that organizers are putting a lot of efforts for the year 2000 show in order to maintain and even strengthen it's position as a leading Tube Show in Europe. What will happen and how the Tube and Pipe Industry takes it, remains to be seen. Anyhow, I am following the situation as objective as possible.

From the exhibitors point of view it is not easy to determine during the show how successful it is or is not. That's because most of the time they are surrounded by the visitors with all kinds of inquiries and promises. Also the presence of the other exhibitors and competitors with various comments and rumors doesn't make it easier.

My personal understanding is that the best time to draw up conclusions is two or three months after the show when the normal business routine has started again and the results from the show starts to be more understandable and realistic. At that time it will be easier to make a summary on the show and make early plans for the future exhibitions. Therefore, I would like to give the help and assistance that TubeNet is able to provide by carrying out the second "TubeNet Show Survey" sometimes during July-August this year.

I guess that was it this time. I will be on Tube Dusseldorf the whole week which means that during that time there will be no updates on TubeNet. I hope to meet some you guys during the show.

See you around.

Juha Haapala