First Day of Public at World Money Fair

World Money Fair - Opens To Public!

Good morning from Berlin. After a good nights sleep, I am ready for the first big day of the World Money Fair. Today the show opens to the public and as I recall last years event, everything ramps up in pace from this point on.

Speaking of pace, yesterday I took a few pictures of the set-up processes for the World Money Fair, which I’d like to share with you here.

The number of people working to bring this combination trade show and dealer bourse together is phenomenal. As you walk through the bourse in these early set-up days, you must be careful, as there are workmen moving quickly in every direction, all with a set purpose and destination. Materials are everywhere and show organizers are here and there doing everything and anything to fulfill exhibitor’s needs.

While dealer booths are quite standard, the Mint and technical booths range in variety from functional to extremely lavish. The MDM booth is always a treat, with large displays and eye catching color. The Perth Mint booth is both dignified and thrilling in its displays of new coinage series, which are to be announced today. The Austrian Mint booth sports a unique design and a display of some 28 rolls of gold one ounce Royal Philharmonic bullion coins, which required two guards at all times.

Later this evening, I will attempt to describe the Media Forum, which entails four hours of Mint presentations laying out their new issue programmes for the coming year. For now, I must get moving, however, as our first meeting of the day, with our friends at the Italian State Mint begins in about one hour.