Exhibitor and visitor numbers rise in the
first half of 2019 despite a weaker economy and greater foreign trade risks
A cooling German economy and the rising threat
of international trade conflicts had little effect on exhibitions in Germany in
the first half of 2019. The number of exhibitors at the country’s 107
international and national fairs rose by an average of a good 1% over their respective
preceding events to 115,000. The total number of 5.7 million visitors showed a
slight increase of 0.3%. And exhibitor stand space increased by 1.5% to 4.2
million square metres.
These figures are the result of preliminary
calculations by AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry. The
results also show that the growing range of digital trade and information
platforms has thus far hardly affected the exhibition business.
Of further note is the 3% rise in the number of
both exhibitors and visitors from abroad. This reflects the high international
reputation of German exhibitions. “In the first half of the year alone, more than 70,000 exhibiting companies and
their staff travelled to Germany, and made 1.9 million international guests
visits at exhibitions here,” noted AUMA CEO Dr. Peter Neven. “This also shows
that Germany is seen as a welcoming and cosmopolitan country – a crucial
advantage for German exhibitions and the German economy in general.”
For 2019 overall, AUMA anticipates approximately
1% more exhibitors, a constant level of stand space and a slight decline in
visitor numbers.
The reasons for these somewhat weaker results
have less to do with the economy in general than with uncertain developments in
the automotive exhibition sector. By way of comparison, 2% more exhibitors and
stand space and constant visitor numbers were reported in 2018.
Images:
© Messe Berlin/Hans Scherhaufer