Group turnover at around 180 million euros, 14 per cent more than in 2009 – capacity utilisation at Berlin ExpoCenter City among the world’s best – excellent business expected in 2012 – trade fair grounds to expand at two venues
Berlin, January 2012 – At around 180 million euros, turnover for the Messe Berlin group of companies in 2011 was the highest to date for an odd-numbered year, in which traditionally less events take place. This was equal to five million more euros than originally targeted and 14 per cent more than in 2009. Compared with 2008 and 2010 Messe Berlin also significantly increased its turnover, achieving a record 217 million euros, an increase of 8.5 per cent.
Over the last ten years Messe Berlin has more than doubled its turnover, an increase due almost exclusively to business on the domestic market. Capacity utilisation at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, which in future will be marketed as Berlin ExpoCenter City, is among the highest worldwide.
In 2012 the trade fair company in the German capital expects business to achieve new record figures. Raimund Hosch, CEO Messe Berlin : “Bookings for our leading international trade fairs are already very high. We expect to reach our turnover target of 230 million euros. Furthermore, this year at Messe Berlin a whole new chapter is about to begin for the trade fair and congress venue in the capital. In July 2012 an event will take place to inaugurate our new trade fair grounds at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, directly adjacent to BER Berlin Brandenburg International, the capital’s future airport. At the same time we will be expanding ExpoCenter City and adding a trade fair hall hosting conferences next to the main south entrance, thus establishing yet another important basis for further above-average growth in the capital’s local region.“
The foundation laying ceremony for the new fair hall will take place in May 2012 and its completion is scheduled for as early as December 2013. As of 2014, following the closure of the ICC Berlin, Messe Berlin will initially use the new hall to host conferences. Raimund Hosch: “As a result we can ensure that international conferences will be taking place to our customary high global standard even during the restoration of the ICC Berlin.“
The new exhibition grounds at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport will open with the fashion show PANORAMA from 4 to 6 July 2012. From 11 to 16 September a further trade fair highlight, the ILA Berlin Air Show, will follow at the new airport grounds.
Two-thirds of exhibitors came from abroad
With its leading trade fairs, congress business and operations abroad in Southeast Asia all very successful, Messe Berlin has gained an even stronger international market standing.
In 2011 1.4 million visitors attended 51 trade fairs and exhibitions at Berlin ExpoCenter City, including 15 in-house events. Trade visitors numbered around 500,000. In-house events on the Messe Berlin grounds once again reported significantly above-average international attendance. More than 66 per cent of the 20,353 exhibitors came from abroad.
The most successful in-house events of the Messe Berlin group of companies abroad included ITB ASIA in Singapore, ASIA Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, as well as three other regional German trade fairs outside Berlin: MeLa, northern Germany’s biggest agricultural show, Regio Agrar Bavaria, and the Farming Business Conference in Münster. Assistance was provided for an additional 2,500 exhibitors at these fairs. More than 117,000 visitors came to find out information and to do business at these events.
Congress Division also reported high international attendance
In 2011 the Messe Berlin Congress Division also reported good business. 438 conferences and shows took place in the International Congress Center ICC Berlin, the Palais am Funkturm and on the exhibition grounds, with attendances totalling around 161,350. 74 per cent of the 146,000 conference delegates, an extremely high proportion, came from abroad.
Last year, foreign visitors to the trade fairs and conferences organised by Messe Berlin spent approximately 1.8 billion euros in the capital and its surrounding region, thus enabling Messe Berlin to secure employment for more than 20,000 people in Berlin and Brandenburg.
