First of all some basic information on Moscow: 

Moscow is the capital of Russia, with 11 million official and approx. 3 million unofficial inhabitants. The city extends over an area of approx. 40 x 40 kilometres and disposes of an underground network of 280 km – during the rush-hour underground trains leave the stations every 90 seconds to transport the crowds of people.

Why Moscow?

A (very red) trade fair stand of 33 sq. m is the reason why four staff members travel to Moscow. On spot we learn that we are the only German stand builders being present on this international trade fair. Maybe the others did not dare due to the assumption that official people are usually on the take and nearly nothing can be done without paying “cash”!?

Another important instrument to assert ones interests is a company stamp, if possible a round one (I am almost sure that it might even be a toy stamp of my children’s post office equipment … ). For only a round stamp is an important stamp (probably because it is most similar to a seal)! No document was accepted, unless provided with a stamp. 

But all this didn’t matter – the trade fair stand was ready in time, only during hand-over it took the trade fair organiser four hours to provide the power supply.

As a reward the customer was satisfied and the crew had a sightseeing tour around Moscow.

 A visit of the Kremlin including a guided tour around the Red Square as well as a sightseeing tour by night were very interesting and informative. Even today the buildings characterised by history are very impressive and still symbolise the power of the former Soviet Union.

Written by: Ingo Manzoni, January 2009