International Exhibiting Guide: Buenos Aires

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Value Added Tax
➤ VAT in Buenos Aires is 21 percent. Exhibitors can avoid VAT on imported exhibit properties under the Temporary Admission Regime (TAR), a tax-waiver program for items only in Argentina temporarily.
➤ Due to new regulations, it is strongly recommended to obtain a TAR through an Argentine customs broker.
➤ Argentina does not participate in the ATA Carnet program.

Voltage
➤ Buenos Aires operates on 220 volts, and typical electric sockets accept plugs with three flat prongs.
➤ It is advisable to bring adapters and transformers from home, although they may be available through show organizers. But to ensure availability, electrical supplies should be ordered well in advance.

Garbage
➤ Waste from installation and dismantle is often removed by show organizers.
➤ Build-and-burn booths must be removed and disposed of by the exhibitor or the contracted builder.

Cellphones
➤ Cellphone providers Claro, Movistar, and Personal offer prepaid SIM cards with a range of data and call-minute packages.
➤ Wi-Fi is readily available in public areas such as hotels and restaurants.

Shipping
➤ Shipments to Buenos Aires via airfreight can take from four to six days. Ocean freight can take five to eight weeks.
➤ Importing any item into Argentina is difficult and should be avoided if at all possible. Submitting incomplete or incorrect paperwork can result in significant delays and fines.
➤ Clearing customs often takes up to seven days for airfreight and 15 days for ocean freight. Using a specialized freight forwarder familiar with the local regulations is essential.

Greetings and Culture

➤ A handshake with a friendly "Hello" is appropriate for men and women. It is customary to kiss familiar women on the right cheek on subsequent meetings. Men may also kiss each other on the right cheek during informal meetings.
➤ Be aware that a weak handshake may send the message that you are disinterested, and you should shake hands when both initiating and closing a conversation.
➤ Making friendly conversation before talking business is the best way to approach potential clients in Buenos Aires. Sports are a particularly favored conversation starter.
➤ Business cards are exchanged at the end of a conversation, and it is polite to read the card before putting it away.

Hospitality

➤ In-booth hospitality is common in large exhibits at Argentine shows. Hot and cold beverages are typically served along with party sandwiches, canapes, and other finger foods. Small booths often serve coffee, soft drinks, and light snacks.
➤ Alcohol such as beer, wine, and champagne is frequently served on the show floor. Permission from show organizers to serve alcohol is often unnecessary.
➤ Off-site business dinners are customary and usually preferred to breakfast or lunch meetings. Business should only be discussed if your Argentine guest brings it up.

Language

➤ English is sometimes spoken in the business community in Buenos Aires, but you will need a translator fluent in Spanish in the booth at all times.
➤ Signage and literature in your exhibit must be printed in Spanish and English, as should business cards.

Staff Attire

➤ Business suits in conservative colors are common for both men and women. In most industries, women have more latitude to wear a range of colors, and they are typically dressed more stylishly than their male counterparts.
➤ Women should avoid dressing in short skirts or shirts with low necklines, although wearing high heels is common.
➤ Tattoos and piercings other than traditional earrings should be concealed unless the event is for a creative industry.

Venues and Resources

➤ La Rural Predio Ferial (www.larural.com.ar) is the main exhibit venue in Buenos Aires, with 500,000 square feet of pavilions and meeting facilities, as well as 107,000 square feet of outdoor exhibition area. It is in a tourist neighborhood with many nearby hotels and restaurants.
➤ The Association of Organizers and Providers for Expositions, Congresses, and Events (www.aoca.org.ar) is a network of Argentine show organizers and suppliers.

Installation and Dismantle

➤ Buenos Aires does not have labor unions, and workers are typically available through exhibit builders and show organizers.
➤ Exhibitors may set up their own booths, but a certified electrician recommended by the venue or show organizer must be used to install the electrical components of an exhibit.
➤ Most local workers do not speak English.
➤ You will likely need to provide booth plans to the show organizers.
➤ All exhibiting materials must be treated with a fireproofing substance, and fire extinguishers may be required based on the square footage of the exhibit.
➤ Most venues require exhibitors and laborers to provide proof of life insurance with determinate conditions for on-site staff.

General Facts and Tips

➤ The Argentine government sets fixed currency exchange rates, meaning that the official value of an Argentine peso versus the U.S. dollar may not reflect current economic conditions. While there are unofficial currency exchange establishments that offer "blue dollar" exchange rates, using official channels is recommended.
➤ Public transportation is affordable and convenient by buying a local SUBE card, though using a hired car called a "remise" is the most advised method of travel in Buenos Aires. If taking a taxi, only use those arranged through your hotel or cars bearing a "radio-taxi" sign, as other vehicles may not be safe for visitors. Ride-hail apps Uber and Cabify are also available.
➤ Personal work items, such as laptop computers and cellphones, will likely need to be registered at customs on arrival and should be guarded closely during your stay.
➤ Punctuality for meetings is important, but it is socially acceptable to arrive up to 15 minutes late for a lunch or dinner invitation.
➤ People from the United States should be mindful to always refer to themselves as North American, not American.

SOURCES
Nicolas Gonzalez Abbati, architect and general manager, AAG Workshop, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lee Ali, managing director, Expo Stars Interactive Ltd., Manchester, United Kingdom; Laura Anchava, project manager, BTG Expotrans S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina; Ana Maria Arango, regional manager, Latin America, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Bogota, Colombia