Exhibitors file protest against Naxxar fair organisers

A group of trade fair exhibitors, members of the Trade Fair Exhibitors Association, have filed a judicial protest against the association's officials claiming its funds are being used "abusively" and "irresponsibly".

Two weeks ago, six association officials announced they had set up a limited liability company and had signed an agreement to start holding fairs at the disused Naxxar fair grounds.

Before 2007, trade fairs and exhibitions used to be held in Naxxar until they were moved to the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, following a commercial handover.

The association's new venture means there will be two trade fairs acting in direct competition.

The association, as shareholders of the Trade Fair Corporation, received €500,000 when it sold the shares it held in the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali. In their judicial protest, the exhibitors accused the six officials of using the money to set up their own company and start exhibiting at Naxxar to further their commercial interests.

Even if the money was "borrowed", it was being used in a very risky manner because the Naxxar grounds did not have the necessary commercial permit.

There was also opposition from the Naxxar local council and residents, and the local plan of the planning authority specifically excluded trade fairs from the area in question.

Represented by lawyer George Hyzler, the exhibitors chose to remain unnamed but one exhibitor said the group was made up of about 50 businesses.

They said the association was set up to safeguard the interests of exhibitors but the actions of its six executives went contrary to such spirit.

The association's executives are Anthony Galea, Paul Abela, John Camilleri, Darren De Domenico, George Demajo and Raphael Micallef.

The exhibitors have claimed their actions constitute a breach of their fiduciary duties and called on them to refund the funds to the association and to abide by their statutory duties as officials of a voluntary organisation.

The association will today be holding a meeting with exhibitors at the Naxxar grounds.