November 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:

Anne Meerboth-Maltz
Tel. (312)781-5185
Fax (312) 781-5188
email: ameerboth@mdna.com

Messe Düsseldorf North America
150 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2920
Chicago, IL 60601

RECORD RESULTS AT A+A 2009 WITH HIGH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION

The recent staging of A+A 2009, International Trade Fair for Safety, Security and Health at Work, demonstrated that companies invest in the health and safety of their employees even in difficult economic times: 55,800 visitors (compared to 55,200 attendees in 2007) came to gather information on the latest trends for personal and occupational safety and health displayed by 1,541 exhibitors from 62 countries. This result is a new record in the history of the event. Almost every fourth visitor came from outside of Germany, with increased participation particularly from non-European nations such as South American countries. The A+A Congress registered some 5,000 participants while the accompanying Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO/a UN sub-organization) attracted over 300 delegates (from about 60 countries).

Of the A+A 2009 exhibitor, 65% came from countries other than Germany with China, Italy, France, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, the U.S., the Netherlands and Taiwan as the leading foreign exhibitor nations. A total of 11 of the 37 U.S. companies exhibited their products within the successful North American Pavilion, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America and co-sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC).

“A+A has impressively confirmed its position as the leading international trade fair and congress for health and safety at work with high scores both in terms of exhibitors and visitors. Noteworthy is especially the visitor’s high level of decision-making competence,“ stated Joachim Schäfer, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf.

At A+A 2009, exhibitors showcased the entire range of products and services for personal and occupational safety - from protective items for individual body parts to complex security systems, from occupational medical care to ergonomic workplace design. The product highlights on display included a fully recyclable protective work jacket, a business suit fitted with wind-breaker membranes, protective clothing with integral UV-protection, ergonomic furniture for children’s day care centers as well as noise-absorbing pictures and the latest generation of highly sensitive gas measuring devices.

Special features at A+A 2009 were the fashion shows with stylish and functional work wear and protective clothing, the “Success Factor Office“ special show and the “Innovation Park Hazardous Substances“.

Gerd Zeisler, Chairman of the A+A Advisory Council, attributes the success of A+A not only to the extensive range of exhibits but also to an overall greater interest in safety and security matters: “The need for security has become an issue for the general public worldwide. The fear of the results of natural disasters or terrorist attacks as well as of the effects of pandemics concerns not only health care organizations worldwide but also the managers of multi-national companies.” Gerd Zeisler also praised the new Disaster Control Forum at A+A 2009: “A+A has always dealt with safety-relevant topics in cooperation with strong partners. This is its recipe for success.”

With the topic “Innovations for Safe and Healthy Enterprises“, the A+A Congress particularly addressed the qualitative and economic benefits of preventive action. Bruno Zwingmann, General Manager of the Federal Working Group on Safety and Health at Work (BASI e.V.), explained: “Companies’ lasting ability to compete and innovate is closely linked with the qualification, motivation and creativity of their employees. Without the protection and promotion of health at work these are not possible.” The A+A Congress included two premieres: “The Day of OSH Officers” with 900 participants and the “Employers’ Day” which was attended by over 300 employers from small companies.

Dr. Franz Josef Jung, the newly elected German Federal Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, made his first major public appearance during the A+A Congress opening ceremony. In his address, Dr. Jung stressed the value of good working conditions for economic growth and the importance of the Joint German OSH Strategy (GDA).

Dr. Walter Eichendorf, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) and member of the A+A Advisory Council, sees no indication that companies are saving on occupational safety measures in times of economic crisis: "There are good reasons for this to continue. The image of prevention is changing. What used to be regarded as cumbersome red tape is now seen as a valuable support for planning efficient manufacturing processes and workflows.

The next staging of A+A will take place from October 18 – 21, 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at A+A 2011, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago

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