First half of 2011: German trade fairs on the winning side

Following a slow recovery in 2010 international trade fairs in Germany are clearly back on course for growth. Exhibitor numbers at the 85 trade fairs held during the first six months of 2011 averaged 4 % more than the previous corresponding events. The exhibitor numbers at German trade fairs are now almost back to pre-crisis levels.

These are the initial projections of AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry.

Compared with corresponding previous events the amount of stand space rented out during the first six months of 2011 remained constant, whereas in 2010 there was a 3% decline.

Visitor attendance has recovered to the same degree as exhibitor numbers. Following a 0.8% drop in 2010, trade fair organizers registered an increase of almost 4%.

The substantial increase in attendance reveals that trade fairs have successfully held their ground, particularly when compared with competitive communication instruments.

In the overall year 2011 exhibitor and visitor numbers are expected to grow by 3% to 4%. The rise of rented space will probably be limited to around 1%.