Hello friends, on this beautiful day at Colle21, we are pleased to welcome our friends Arnaud and Audrey, the exhibition organizers Air Terre Mer Lotto Mons Expo.
They are here to tell us about their role and the preparations for this great event. Hello Arnaud, Hello Audrey, could you tell us a little more about your responsibilities?
Arnaud and Audrey:
Good morning ColleC21, Thank you for receiving us.
As an exhibition organizers: Air Terre Mer Lotto Mons Expo , our main mission is to contact the exhibitors.
We register them, support them throughout the process and make sure to best meet their needs during the show.
We are there to facilitate their participation, manage registrations, and ensure that each exhibitor has everything he needs to make the event a success.
Our goal is to create a fluid and positive experience for everyone.
How did the Air-Terre-Mer Lotto Mons Expo exhibition have been born?
Arnaud and Audrey:
The idea began in 1999 with the club "Les Amis du Modelisme" which organized a national exhibition at the Grand-Large gym, with around 50 exhibitors.
The success of this first edition enabled the club to be known and to attract new members.
Colle21:
You have changed location several times before reaching the Lotto Mons Expo ?
Arnaud and Audrey:
Yes, following the growing success, we have moved several times, passing through the Cuesmes omnisports building and the old Brassico building in Ghlin.
Since the construction of Lotto Mons Expo, we were able to settle in this 8,000 m² room, which allowed the exhibition to become international.
Colle21:
The organization has always been provided by "Les Amis du Modélisme" ?
Arnaud and Audrey:
Always. The first editions were under the chairmanship of Mr. Mari Guillaume, then Mr. Simon Joël took over.
He worked with club members and the sports service of the city of Mons to organize the exhibition.
Colle21:
In recent years, you have only been two organizers. What about?
When my father Simon Joël fell ill, he trained us to resume the organization.
After his death in 2016, we took over. The club bequeathed to us "Les Amis du Modélisme" to continue the adventure.
In 2018, we became a Asbl to preserve the exhibition.
There are only two of us, but with the precious help of our volunteers, we continue each year.
Where the 2024 Edition will be held and on wich date?
Arnaud and Audrey:
This year, it will take place in the city of Mons in Belgium at Lotto Mons Expo : Av. Thomas Edison 2, 7000 Mons, Belgium the weekend of August 17 and 18, 2024, generally around the third weekend in August, unless August 15 fell on Friday.
Colle21:
For those who come from far away, do you have any suggestions for places to find accommodation near the exhibition?
Arnaud and Audrey:
Yes of course. We recommend several hotels close to Lotto Mons Expo.
For example, Hotel Dream and the Hotel Mons Van Der Valk Congress are very good options.
For those who prefer more economic options, there are youth hostels and rentals Airbnb Available in the region.
Colle21:
And for those who want to know how to join the exhibition, what are the best trips?
Arnaud and Audrey:
For those who come by train, Mons station is very well served and is only a few minutes by taxi or bus from Lotto Mons Expo.
Regular buses connect the station to the exhibition.
By car, the exhibition is easily accessible via the E19/E42 motorway, 24 (Mons Ghlin).
There is a large parking lot available on site for visitors.
For those who come from abroad, the airport Brussels (Zaventem) is the closest, and from there, you can take a direct train to Mons.
What will we discover?
Arnaud and Audrey:
You can attend demonstrations of paint, navigation, flight, and much more, covering the themes Air-Terre-Mer.
There will be unique pieces thanks to more than 45 sellers and static, rail, etc.
We keep the names of the exhibitors secret to preserve the surprise. There will be a bar and a small restaurant at affordable prices, and the entrance is completely free.
Thank you Arnaud and Audrey for this precious information. We look forward to discovering this new edition of the Air-Terre-Mer exhibition.
Arnaud and Audrey:
Thanks to you, Colle21. We hope to see many visitors to share our passion for modelism and live an unforgettable moment together. See you soon at the exhibition!