SAINTE-MARIE-AUX-MINES : : A long story...


A long story...
A one-of-a-kind organization...
Through a partnership between several community associations and councils, this internationally renowned mineralogical show brings together over 900 exhibitors from 60 countries this year to serve more than 25,000 mineralogical enthusiasts and the mineralogically curious from around the world Although relatively unknown to the general public, Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is the flagship of the mineralogy business in France and is part of the world's mineral trade triumvirate alongside Tucson (USA) and Munich (Germany). In a rural setting, with an atmosphere between a bazaar and a Pioneer camp, this unique, eclectic, and entirely atypical exhibition, offers, in the heart of a Vosgian valley, and with more than 550 tents, the largest village network built in France. Organizing such an event each year is never an easy task and involves cordoning off the town center (more than 30,000m2) on two separate sites linked by the Gem Express train, management of several parking lots served by a shuttle bus service, not to mention lodging exhibitors and visitors which monopolizes much of the hotel accommodations in central Alsace (for 50km around). In order to ensure the success of this event, 25 associations have come together to provide the human resources necessary, about 450 people, to work hard to ensure service worthy of being called an Alsatian welcome.
A little bit of history ...
In 1962, when François Lehmann organized a “Mine Day” on behalf of the technical Cinema club, it was simply a local exhibition. Two years later, our exhibition, then entitled “Stones,” had progressed from being a local affair to being a regional attraction. It was not until 1966, after the success of the first “International Trade Show” that it was decided to hold the fair every year on the first weekend in July. In 1992, Europe's first mineral and fossil fair was launched on the last weekend in June and has kept the same schedule ever since. Who could have imagined at that time that the European Mineral and Fossil Fair would become so important and attract such large numbers? With the same spirit in mind, in May 1973, François Lehmann organized the first Mineral Exhibition in former “eastern block” in Trzic, Slovenia, the sister city of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. This event has been held annually since, on the second weekend of May, and presents some very interesting perspectives for collectors from the “west”. The organization of the Sainte-Marie exhibition was taken over, in 1981, by Michel Schwab, who has helped adapt the event to the needs and changes of the international market, such that the exhibition takes on exciting new dimensions every year by bringing together, in the heart of the Val d’Argent (“Silver Vale”), nearly 900 exhibitors from 60 countries, and welcoming nearly 25,000 visitors. These figures represent something of a cap, as it would be very difficulty, logistically, to increase further. In order to professionalize the organization, the event was entrusted to Communication and Company and, since 2004, Mineral Concepts SARL is responsible for marketing. The organization is the result of a partnership between Mineral Concepts SARL, the local municipalities, and several associations in the Val d’Argent. The economic benefits are particularly interesting for the associations of the Val d’Argent as well as for the tourism and hospitality sectors in Alsace and the Vosges. From a true “family festival”, specialists now say “this show is undeniably one of the most important exhibitions in the world, alongside Tucson (USA) and Munich (Germany)”, and that it “holds the first place among French exhibitions and is increasingly a business sector for the entire world” to the point that 1986 saw the birth of the “Professionals Only” day on Friday, which was extended to Thursday in 1997. The Germany weekly magazine (Katholischer Digest, 88) dubbed Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines “the Mecca of mineralogists”, and the Mineralogical Record (USA) regularly publishes articles about our exhibition, apparently the favorite European show of their American subscribers. More than 30,000 individual invitations, addressed to people interested in minerals and fossils, as well as post cards, posters, calendars, repeated advertising in the appropriate international press, articles in newspapers and periodicals, radio and television features, and significant word-of-mouth promotion bring in thousands of collectors, hobbyists, and professionals from around the world. Among the thousands of buyers for public and private collections who gather at the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines exhibition are several well known scientists, artists and politicians from every point of the compass who meet here to share their common passion. Familiar with the selective nature of our visitors, we have been trying for several years to make the fair more interesting to the general public. This is why showcases and various other attractions have also been a part of the exhibition since 1988. In 1999 we created Student Days, to drive interest in the earth sciences among children, through themed activities spread throughout the day. Since then, nearly 1,000 children participate each year. The 2005 birth of EURO GEM (250 exhibitors) on it’s own site 300 meters from EURO MINERAL (650 exhibitors) brought together activities surrounding the trade of gems and jewelry, allowing a better dispersion of the ever-increasing flow of visitors. In 2006, VAL EXPO opened on 2400m2 spread among two halls and a forum, allowing us to remove the big top tents in favor of individual tents. At Saint-Marie-aux-Mines, les Amis des Anciennes Mines (Friends of the Ancient Mines) opened a museum devoted to local mining heritage and mineralogy in1972. In 1991, it was moved to " La Maison de Pays " in the Val d'Argent. The Gabe-Gottes mine, whose restoration was financed by the exhibition, was entrusted to the Archeomine Association, and has been partly accessible to the public since 2002, from the “Maison de Pays” on the Prensureax square. Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, ranked as a “station verte” (natural tourist area), is located on the “Route d’Argent” (the silver road) at the heart of the Lièpvre Valley, between Strasbourg and Colmar, 20km west of Sélestat, 20km east of Saint-Dié, in the heart of the Vosges mountains.
Who does what...?
The main organization and responsibility of the exhibition are managed by Mineral Concepts SARL, directed by Michel SCHWAB, assisted by Flore Cottel, Brigitte Schaeffer, and 40 employees hired for the exhibition. The availability of the buildings, open spaces and roads, as well as the logistics, are provided by the Town of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, and especially by the Technical Services department, led by Gérard Creuzot.The Community of Municipalities of the Val d’Argent helps make the various premises and parking lots available, and prepares and restores the grounds through the “Chantiers Verts”, as well as financing the fire-fighting services. The Initiatives and Events department ensure the availability of the VAL EXPO, and handle the on-site logistics, managed by Christophe Crupi. AMIBOUR (“Friends of the Exhibition”) under the guidance of Daniel Bertola (OSJC – Office for Sports, Youth, and Culture), Bénédetta Lalique, and Philippe Gasperment, coordinates the partners, ticket booths, and safety. The Amicale des Chauffeurs Mécaniciens (Association of Chauffeur Mechanics), with the help of the Cécilia d’Echery Harmonic and the Val d’Argent Athletic Club have the difficult job of providing catering services for thousands of people, overseen by Raymond Kuhn. The Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines Sports Association, under the direction of Maurice Kaps manage the bars in the theater, the Artists’ Terrace, and the catering in the Val Expo. The exhibitor parking lots are organized by the Val d'Argent Socio-Cultural Centre, the Ski Club, and the Biking Club, managed by Djems Gagueche. The Gymnastics Association, "l'Ancienne", headed by Thierry Lagaisse, is responsible for the public parking lots. The Val d'Argent Tourist Office, lead by Dominique Vairon, arranges hotel accommodations within a 40km radius…, the local Gendarmerie Brigade, under the command of Patrick Candela, and the Municipal Police, under Patrice Huber, provide security; Louise Weiss Secondary School (administration, teachers, and students) make their grounds available, and involve the students in a variety of activities; and the UNSS (National Association of School Sports), supervised by Claire Dussourd, are in charge of the refreshments and snacks and a cybercafé in the schoolyard. The refreshment stand in sector CE is managed jointly by the Cycling and Handball Clubs, and directed by Jean-Claude Galmiche and Eric Freyburger., while the stand in the square next to the theatre is managed by the Ski Club, directed by Michel Valdenaire. The Val d’Argent Judo Club, directed by Julien Creuzot and Bruno Rossi, along with the High School Choir, run by Michèle Duriez, manage the catering and refreshments at Euro Gem. Medical assistance is provided by the Val d’Argent chapter of the French Red Cross, directed by Marc Schlotter, and the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines fire brigade, under Lieutenants Gilles Lagaisse and Dominique Schifferle ensure around-the-clock fire-fighting services. The Hetre Association organizes the treasure hunt and offers cultural activities under the direction of Zineb Guichaoua. Archeo-Mine and the ASEPAM offer tours of the Gabe-Gottes and Saint-Louis Mines. Rémi de la TULLAYE and the engineering students of IGAL (Paris, France) run the educational activities for the Student Days and Frédéric Delporte (Geopolis) coordinates the cultural events and activities. Last, but certainly not least, is the notable participation of the “Caisse des Mineurs d’Echery” (the Miners of Echery).

Vue d'ensemble de l'exposition
Photo : A.Wipff / MRW Zeppeline ©Minerapole-2003

La Bourse : Rue du Parc
Photo : C.Pélisson ©

Les mineurs en tenue d'apparat
Photo : J.J. Geiger ©