At an event that brings thousands of visitors together every year, the Mariano Roque Alonso 2024 Expo in Asunción witnessed another win for the Paraguayan the armed forces, who received the award for the best stand in interaction with the public.
In an interview, Colonel Víctor Urdapilleta, Director General for Social Communication for the Armed Forces, shared details of the strategy and approach behind this success.
“For the second time in a row we received an important award at the Mariano Roque Alonso Expo. Last year we were recognized as the best state of public institutions, and this year we were recognized for our interaction with the public“, said Colonel Urdapilleta.
He mentioned that when designing the stand, care was taken to be visually appealing and innovative and also to offer visitors comfort and safety. The structure allowed the public to see the equipment and materials of the armed forces up close, while expert staff answered all of their questions.
One of the key strategies was the inclusion of animals in various armed forces that interacted with the public and especially attracted children. “Pets were a big attraction, especially for the little ones who liked to take photos and accompany them in their activities“, said Colonel Urdapilleta. In addition, the stand had flight and navigation simulators as well as the opportunity to view the latest weapons and equipment.
The award for the best appearance in public is a recognition of the commitment and attitude of military personnel. “The chivalrous attitude and courtesy of the military personnel as well as his deep knowledge of his tasks were of fundamental importance for obtaining this award“, emphasised Colonel Urdapilleta.
“We managed to attract public attention because the elements, devices and vehicles on display were those that are normally not to be found anywhere. These materials, devices, weapons and vehicles were accessible to everyone who visited the armed forces. They could handle them, get into the vehicles and inquire about their properties, always accompanied by qualified personnel who provided information and the safety of visitors“, he added.
“We want to ensure that people perceive the role of the military in society positively. We want the civilian population to see the military as an integral part of society, as people who are here to ensure the security and defense of our country“, he said.
The award for the best appearance in interaction with the public reflects the commitment and commitment of the military. “The polite attitude and deep knowledge of their work were decisive for this recognition“, said Colonel Urdapilleta.
The main goal of participating in the Expo was to establish a direct connection with the citizens. “We wanted to provide information about everything related to the military and promote patriotism through the cult of national symbols“, emphasized the colonel.
The importance of this recognition lies in the social acceptance and support of the armed forces. “It is a valid parameter to recognise the acceptance we have in our society and the positive effects we expect“, Colonel Urdapilleta concluded.
