Speaking in Hannover, the Deutsche Messe’s Board chairman Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch emphasized: “With France as the Partner Country, Hannover Messe will benefit from a strong partnership next year. The industrial nation France represents one of the most important target markets for exhibitors at Hannover Messe.”

France will present itself as a major European industrial nation, offering innovative ideas and technology for new and sustainable growth across Europe. “We are confident that the Partner Country presentation will consolidate and extend the already strong business and economic ties that exist between France and Germany”, said von Fritsch.

As the Partner Country to Hannover Messe 2011, France is joining Italy (2010), Korea (2009), Japan (2008), Turkey (2007), India (2006) and Russia (2005). In the past, the companies involved in Partner Country presentations at Hannover Messe have invariably reported that their participation generated full order books and business worth billions, according to Deutsche Messe AG.

In 2009, German exports to France were valued at 81.9 billion euros. Data published in May 2010 by Germany Trade & Invest, Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH, Cologne, showed that German products account for an 18.3% share of the French market, making it the country’s biggest foreign supplier. According to the same study, 16 percent of all French exports go to Germany, which is thus the biggest international market for French products and services.

The Partner Country presentation in 2011 is being organized by Ubifrance, the French agency for international business and trade development. For many years Ubifrance has had an excellent track record promoting French business and supporting French exhibitors at events such as Hannover Messe.

Hannover Messe 2009 saw 6,297 exhibitors from 62 countries showcasing their products on a total net display area of 234,755 square meters. In 2009 France was represented by 115 exhibitors.

This globally top-ranking technology event will take place from 4 until 8 April 2010 at Hannover. Hannover Messe combines 13 leading trade fairs in one place: Industrial Automation, Energy, Power Plant Technology, Wind, MobiliTec, Motion, Drive & Automation, Digital Factory, Industrial Supply, CoilTechnica, MicroNanoTec, Research & Technology, SurfaceTechnology and ComVac.

Figure: Impressions of Hannover Messe 2010 from the field of Industrial Supply – Leading Trade Fair for Subcontracting and Leightweight Construction (photo: Deutsche Messe AG)

More than 400,000 visitors – a drop of just under 20 percent on the previous year’s figure – came to CeBIT 2009 to generate new business. A marked increase in the trade visitor ratio however meant their expectations were often exceeded. “Companies who came well-prepared reported a jump in significant business leads of more than 20 percent,” Raue reported. “In terms of all the significant parameters, CeBIT 2009 attained the same high level as last year’s event. We are delighted with the run of the show. This CeBIT has been a good investment for exhibitors and visitors alike, delivering real benefits to everyone.”

The percentage of visitors from abroad remained steady at 20 percent. A decrease in attendance from Asia was offset by increased attendance from the Americas and the Middle East. 

The opening address by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, representing this year’s partner state, set the right tone to kick off the event. “His optimistic and determined attitude strengthened the ICT industry’s resolve to capitalize on all the available opportunities,” asserted Raue. “This spirit of new momentum was felt tangibly by everybody at the show.”

The spotlight this year was on higher efficiency and lower costs in all areas of business IT. In Green IT World, exhibitors from international big business demonstrated that the deployment of green technologies can result in significant reductions in corporate cost structures.

The new Webciety area featured business-oriented Web applications and business models. “This new concept was a real success, and has broadened the appeal of CeBIT in the corporate sector. Half of all Webciety exhibitors have already confirmed they will be back next year,” Raue said. The automotiveDAY event was also a great success. “We plan to continue this move towards verticalization to achieve an even greater in-depth focus on the issues.”

“The organization of a trade fair with a truly global impact, involving the participation of 4,300 exhibitors and more than 400,000 attendees – particularly in times like these – is a real achievement for us and the industry as a whole, underlining the drawing power of CeBIT,” Raue said. “We are once more seen as a dynamic event. Several companies who decided against having their own stand this year have expressed a clear interest in rejoining the event in 2010.”

The next CeBIT will be staged from 2 to 6 March 2010 in Hannover.

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.