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June
2007
Messe Düsseldorf North America 8% VISITOR INCREASE AT GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, NEWCAST 2007At the concurrent staging of the four international technology trade fairs GIFA 2007 (International Foundry Trade Fair with WFO Technical Forum), METEC 2007 (7th International Metallurgical Technology Trade Fair with Congresses InSteelCon and EMC 2007), THERMPROCESS 2007 (9th International Trade Fair and Symposium for Thermo Process Technology) and NEWCAST 2007 (2nd International Castings Trade Fair with Newcast Forum) over 1,700 companies, associations and research institutes from 50 nations presented the latest innovations for foundry technology, metallurgy, thermo process technology and castings in Düsseldorf, Germany. The most important trend at all four events was energy efficiency. More than 77,000 trade visitors from over 80 countries attended the four trade shows – 8% more than at the shows’ last staging in 2003. The trade fair quartet recorded high international attendance and the proportion of foreign visitors increased to over 50%. France, Italy and Austria accounted for the largest group of visitors from Europe. As for non-European visitors, there were notably higher visitor numbers from Asia than in 2003, with the majority of the attendees coming from India. On the exhibitor side, international participation was also high. At GIFA 2007, 58% of the exhibitors were from countries other than Germany, with Italy, Great Britain and the U.S. as the leading foreign exhibitor nations. A special feature at GIFA was the North American Pavilion with 21 companies, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America and co-sponsored by the American Foundry Society (AFS). At METEC 2007, non-German exhibitors accounted for 56% of the exhibitor total, with the largest contingents coming from China, Italy and the U.S. A total of 44% of the THERMPROCESS 2007 exhibitors came from countries outside of Germany, with the majority coming from Great Britain, France, Italy and the U.S. The leading foreign exhibit nations at NEWCAST 2007 were China, India and the Czech Republic and 81% of the exhibitors were from countries other than Germany. The organizer of the four trade fairs was extremely pleased with these results. Joachim Schäfer, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf, commented: “Excellent results across the board, which are not least also a reflection of the positive business climate and the growing globalization. Many visitors and exhibitors confirmed that they had a very successful time at the trade fairs where not only many in-depth conversations were held but also numerous investment decisions were made and purchasing deals finalized.” According to a survey, two thirds of the visitors at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST 2007 were executives with high decision-making authority. This was reflected by the numerous orders placed at the four trade fairs and exhibitors expect positive post-show business. “The current boom in this industry has “blessed” us with a very good trade fair that we are sure to benefit from for some time, especially in terms of international contacts. Our attendance at METEC meant we were in the right place at the right time,” explained Dieter Rosenthal, Member of the Board of SMS Demag AG and Chairman of the METEC Advisory Board. Attendees were just as satisfied with their visit of the four trade fairs as exhibitors were with their participation. The majority of visitors surveyed rated the exhibits as “very good” and reported that they achieved their personal objectives for visiting the trade fairs. An added attraction for visitors was the ancillary program consisting of international congresses, workshops and seminars. NEWCAST 2007 experienced strong growth after its premiere in 2003: the exhibitor number increased from 270 to over 300 and the number of countries from where visitors traveled to Düsseldorf to explicitly attend NEWCAST rose substantially. Due to this positive outcome and the growing demand for innovations from exhibiting manufacturers, Messe Düsseldorf has decided to hold NEWCAST every two years in the future. In 2011 the trade fair quartet will be held again concurrently in Düsseldorf, Germany. Due to its new cycle, the next separate staging of NEWCAST will be held from June 23 – 25, 2009 in Düsseldorf. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at NEWCAST 2009 or GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, NEWCAST 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. Or visit the web site http://www.mdna.com. # # # |