The first Forum of distributors of plastic model kits took place in Russia

At the beginning of October during conducting of exhibition the «World of Childhood-2007» the largest Russian distributors of plastic model kits gathered together for the discussion of market development and popularization of these products. The organizers and initiators of the Forum were the largest Russian specialized edition «Zeughaus publishing» and producer of plastic model kits, the international company ICM.

This event was the unique one, because until now there were not any measure of similar scale for specialists and distributors in Russia – small competitions were held only for modelists.

The first Forum collected more than 60 participants from most regions of Russia, and also the largest producers: ICM Holding, «Zvezda», «Mini-art», «Akan» and others.

During a discussion the representatives of producers and distributors met in opinion: although the Russian market falls behind the western one, however it develops actively and has serious prospects. In particular, director of ICM Moscow Company Yuriy Voronkin noted: «there is multiplying of sales volume for large players at the market, and also constant appearance of new companies which invest considerable facilities in development».

The main problem, which was defined by the participants of Forum, is absence of communication between the participants of market, as well as not active enough work on joint advancement of modelism. To find the decision of this question all participants expressed a willingness to conduct systematic measures on advancement. In particular, very large interest with the distributors was caused by practice of ICM on conducting lessons of modelism at schools, on which highly experienced modelists teach children to assemble simple models.

In addition, from the beginning of 2008 many distributors are going to hold competitions of modelists on the basis of their shops. In order to make this work productive, the representatives of  «Zeughaus publishing» have been developing the unified program of holding competitions for modelists already.

The representatives of producers, in particular ICM Holding, spared considerable attention to the lectures on technology of sales and advertising of products. Most interest was caused by the theme of seasonality in presentation of novelties. According to General Director of ICM Alexander Buzin, next year the releases of the most interesting novelties will take place in the months of slump of sales, in particular, in a summer.

The forum of distributors of plastic model kits became the first grave meeting of market participants. The organizers are plan to conduct the new meetings for specialists and increase the activity at the market. The assistance to both distributors and all modelists will be as a result.

In the plans of organizers is the annual carrying out of the Forum. Thus, high interest of both distributors and new partners adds a confidence herein. At present the organizers of Russian-wide exhibition «World of Childhood» expressed the desire to support Forum and conduct it under an aegis of the exhibition.

In addition, in 2008 organizers expect to attract the largest foreign producers and representatives of the largest model editions. Work on a further collaboration with them is planned on the nearest time.

For additional information of a Forum you can contact PR-manager of ICM, Fedor Zhovtyak on his e-mail: paravoz@bigmir.net