CeBIT Sending a Positive Signal

February 23, 2009 · Filed Under Exhibitions

4,300 companies from 69 nations are going to be represented at the international ICT industry’s leading event, from 3 – 8 March. Compared with 2008, around 1,545 companies have cancelled their participation. Ernst Raue, Managing Board Member at Deutsche Messe AG: “CeBIT 2009 is sending a signal to buck the international crisis mentality. Given the depth of the world economic crisis, this number represents a success. In view of the overall business environment, we are extremely satisfied. 4,300 enterprises will demonstrate they are in solid shape and want to put the recession behind them quickly,’ he continued. “At CeBIT 2009 the goal is – now more than ever – to develop new business and act boldly and with confidence vis-à-vis the future.”

Raue: „CeBIT sends a signal to buck the international crisis mentality”

The world economic crisis is leading to cutthroat competition which has also left its mark on the ICT industry, declared Raue: ‘Companies that have gone under cannot exhibit at CeBIT. Companies which have slashed their marketing budgets to zero will not be represented in Hannover this year. But companies which are eager to do new business are choosing CeBIT as a platform for business, for growth and for the future,’ affirmed Raue.

That is why, he reported, some 300 companies had rejoined the ranks of CeBIT exhibitors for the first time in several years, including Dell, Nokia Siemens Networks and eCommerce specialist Intershop. Another 200 companies were appearing at CeBIT for the first time ever, he reported, including in the new Webciety display sector. ‘These exhibitors are among the companies which are presenting solutions to cut costs, improve quality and enhance flexibility,’ explained Raue.

The key focus at this year’s event will be on energy-efficient IT applications – summed up under the term ‘green IT’ – as well as on the continued development of the Internet, as epitomized by the buzzword ‘Webciety’. CeBIT 2009 will also feature all aspects of business IT solutions, including risk management and business intelligence applications.

Compared with last year’s event, the following sectors have grown substantially: Green IT, FutureParc, eLearning, TeleHealth and Public Sector Parc – a special display showcasing solutions for public administration applications. The number of exhibitors in the IT hardware subcontracting sector on the other hand is off sharply, particularly the number of small-sized enterprises from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Raue added that the worldwide significance of CeBIT was further underscored by the high-caliber attendance at the opening ceremony as well as the CeBIT Global Conferences. CeBIT will be opened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. ‘In addition we look forward to welcoming Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from our Partner State California as well as the Chairman of the Board of Intel, Craig Barrett, plus BITKOM President August Wilhelm Scheer and Lord Mayor of Hannover Stefan Weil,’ said Raue.

SAP’s CEO Leo Apotheker, Alcatel Lucent CEO Ben Verwaayen, Marco Börries of Yahoo and LinkedIn President Reid Hoffman are among the international IT elite who have confirmed their participation as speakers at the CeBIT Global Conferences.

The following enterprises are among the exhibitors at CeBIT 2009: Deutsche Telekom, Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Software AG, Datev, Vodafone, Intel, Dell, Hitachi, Panasonic, Adobe, Alcatel-Lucent, British Telecom, Hewlett Packard, Rittal, Lampertz, Oracle, Samsung, Yahoo, symantec, E-Plus, Xing, LinkedIn, Acer, Porsche and Volkswagen.