Reports

The trade fair organiser Closer Still Media Germany, based in Mannheim, is a new member of AUMA. The Executive Board approved the admission at its most recent meeting in Düsseldorf in December.

This Tuesday, Germany's 70 or so trade fair centres will kick off the new trade fair year. A total of more than 310 trade fairs are planned in Germany this year, including bauma - the world's largest trade fair for construction machinery and mining.

After more than 20 years, the Global Congress of the International Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) was once again held in Germany. It was hosted by Koelnmesse, which also chaired the Country Focus Session on trade fairs in Germany together with AUMA. More than 550 trade fair experts from 55 countries were in attendance.

Trade fairs contribute to climate protection and sustainability by efficiently bundling personal contacts and thus avoiding further travelling. This is a key finding of the recently published study by the Institute for Sustainable Tourism at the Harz University of Applied Sciences on behalf of AUMA.

Most organisers in Germany are reporting positive business this year. AUMA therefore expects annual sales to increase to just under four billion euros. This means that the German trade fair industry is continuing to approach pre-coronavirus pandemic sales levels.

The International Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) has now published the "Euro Fair Statistics 2023" report. It contains key figures on more than 2,000 trade fairs in 17 European countries, including data on Germany from the FKM Association.

On our own behalf: AUMA is bundling its commitment to lobbying, legal issues, technology, sustainability and business development in a new department. It has been headed by Silvia Bauermeister since 1 October.

The International Federation of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) has selected Chris Skeith for the position of Chief Executive Officer. Skeith comes from AEO, the association for event organisers in the UK, which he has headed since 2014.

Good news: In the coming year, companies from Germany will be supported with an expanded programme at trade fairs abroad.

Many new AI applications can simplify work, especially in communication. The opportunities and risks arising from their use in the trade fair industry are the subject of various trade fair forums that AUMA is organising for its members this autumn.