An unmissable event for all industry professionals and enthusiasts: from October 9 to 11, Fiera di Bergamo hosts the 12th edition of Alta Quota (AQ), the Promoberg event that brings the mountains to the city. A highly anticipated three-day event for professionals and enthusiasts alike, serving as an urban overture to the new winter season in the mountains. The setting presented by AQ is always rich in proposals to satisfy the demands of an audience constantly looking for new products, quality, and fresh takes on the theme. Today, in fact, a growing number of enthusiasts want the opportunity to experience the mountains 365 days a year, relying on innovative, high-quality equipment, products, services, facilities, and resorts.
Alta Quota allows each visitor to choose the facet of the “mountain planet” that best satisfies or intrigues them, ranging from the most traditional proposals to the most extreme and original ones.
Between the indoor area (not just exhibition space) and the outdoor area (dedicated in particular to outdoor sports activities), 11,500 square meters of space are dedicated to the event. Alta Quota will be brought to life by 127 companies (107 in the classic exhibition format, plus 20 inside the Polenta Taragna Village, a new feature of this edition), representing sectors such as tour operators, travel agencies, tourist boards and tourism promotion consortia, businesses, wellness hotels, and spa facilities. Around ten foreign exhibitors are attending, coming mainly from France (6), with the remainder from Switzerland and Austria.
In Pavilion A, ample space is dedicated as always to technical equipment mainly for hiking, climbing, trekking, mountaineering, Nordic walking, mountain biking, and outdoor sports disciplines. The outdoor area confirms its status as the realm for the most dynamic enthusiasts, whether already experienced or eager to try new outdoor sports disciplines for the first time. Across the 9 outdoor areas set up for specific activities, AQ visitors will be able to try out 12 sports disciplines free of charge. Also scheduled are 45 events, including shows, competitions, and meetings.
The AQ public can count on a format that combines a varied and comprehensive exhibition area featuring the latest industry news with a large outdoor area dedicated to outdoor sports. On the informational and educational front, sessions at the Meeting Point continue this year as well, focusing on topics of great interest and current relevance. To promote the best of the mountains and welcome its many enthusiasts, despite the considerable organizational effort required, Promoberg has once again confirmed free admission for the entire duration of the event: another great reason not to miss this important appointment in Bergamo celebrating the beauty of the mountains and outdoor sports! Supporting the exhibition authority are the Main Sponsors (Credito Bergamasco – Gruppo Banco Popolare; Regione Lombardia, Bergamo Chamber of Commerce, Banca Popolare di Bergamo – Gruppo UBI) and Ascom (partner).
THE MAIN NEW FEATURES OF AQ2015
The Polenta Taragna Village
Last year it already stood out (and was thoroughly enjoyed), but this year the celebration will be even bigger and more complete. We are talking about polenta taragna, to which Alta Quota is dedicating a full-fledged Village. Visitors with a gourmand appetite will be able to taste this distinctive traditional polenta—which suits cold mountain temperatures (and any other weather) so well—paired with other typical Lombard products such as cured meats and cheeses, accompanied by craft beers and local wines. The Polenta Taragna Village will remain open until 10:30 PM, guaranteeing all lovers of good food an experience filled with flavor and music.
The Conquest of the Matterhorn, 150 years later
2015 is the year of the Matterhorn: the legendary peak was first conquered on July 14, 1865, when Englishman Edward Whymper reached the summit from Zermatt, opening a route along the Hörnli ridge. To celebrate this landmark anniversary in the history of mountaineering, the Bergamo Union of CAI Sections and Subsections, in collaboration with the Central Film Library of the Italian Alpine Club, will present two exceptional films at the Alta Quota Meeting Point: “La Grande Conquista” (The Mountain Calls), directed and filmed by Luis Trenker (1937) and awarded at the Trento Film Festival in 1960; and “Bonatti sulla Nord del Cervino” (1965), celebrating the Bergamo mountaineer’s historic ascent.
The Orobic Street Boulder circuit final at Alta Quota
On Saturday, October 10, starting at 3:00 PM at the Alta Quota Boulder Arena, the final of the Orobic Street Boulder circuit will take place. Competing for victory will be the top finishers from the four stages held in Merate (LC), Ponte San Pietro (BG), Bergamo, and Nembro (BG). A final that will truly be a wonderful celebration and gathering to wrap up the Street Boulder season in the best possible way.
Italian National Nordic Ski Team champions with AVEF
It will be an unmissable opportunity, and not only for Nordic skiing enthusiasts. On Friday, October 9, starting at 6:00 PM, at the AVEF booth (Aosta Valley Cross-Country Ski Tracks Association), athletes from the Italian national Nordic ski team—Federico Pellegrino, Francesco De Fabiani, and Francesca Baudin—will be present alongside Paolo Riva, coach of the men’s national team.
Nordic skiing in the Aosta Valley means hundreds of kilometers of consistently snow-covered and perfectly groomed trails spread across 23 different resorts, each with its own character, unique history, and breathtaking views at the foot of the giants of the Alps.
Canon Academy returns with the Gigafoto, the largest photograph in the world
For everyone who wants to bring home the best images of unforgettable hikes or mountain activities, Alta Quota, in technical collaboration with Canon (world leader in digital imaging), presents for the second consecutive year Canon Academy, an initiative at the Canon booth allowing visitors to take part in free mini photography courses taught by Alessandro Tiraboschi and dedicated in particular to wildlife/flora, landscapes, nature in general, and sports. Enthusiasts will be able to learn all the tricks and get expert advice to put into practice the techniques needed to improve their outdoor shoots.
In addition, at the Canon booth visitors will be able to have a fantastic portrait taken and printed against the backdrop of the Gigafoto, the largest photograph in the world ever created, and hear firsthand how it was achieved, following the practical insights of those who accomplished the feat alongside Filippo Blengini.
Furthermore, you can print your favorite outdoor image using a professional photo printer. Each day of the fair, the first 50 visitors who request it will receive a free A3 print on photo paper from a .jpg file.
The Gigafoto is an extraordinary feat by Filippo Blengini honoring the mountain world, and specifically the Mont Blanc massif, the pride and joy of our Alpine arc. Four figures aptly describe this Alpine achievement: 3,500 meters of altitude, -10 degrees at the shooting station, 70,000 shots taken, and 365 gigapixels making up the image.
Startup Preview Area
Alta Quota presents a preview of what in the future is set to become a dedicated area for startups—companies entering the market with innovative products and services.
Visitors to AQ2015 will be able to discover 3DOM, the handlebar-free 3-wheeled bicycle, and SKIDDI, small wheels attached to skis to pull them along more comfortably.
ALTA QUOTA – MOUNTAIN AND OUTDOOR FAIR
October 9 – 11, 2015 – FIERA DI BERGAMO – EXHIBITION AREA OPENING HOURS (PAVILION A):
Friday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Opening ceremony at 2:30 PM)
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
OUTDOOR AREA OPENING HOURS
Friday: 3:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION – PARKING: 3 EUROS
INFO: www.alta-quota.it
Facebook page: Fiera della Montagna Alta Quota
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