Issue 6/2005
11/02/05
interlift 05
Joachim Ramrath (VFA Interlift e. V.)
Yes, that was another world class performance delivered at interlift 05. The question now is how can we top that, where do we go from here? But first one thing at a time because no sooner has one trade fair ended than another one starts. Whilst we may have been feeling very satisfied with ourselves after interlift 03 in 2003 and set about the preparations for the next event with increased enthusiasm, the result of interlift 05 once again leaves everything in its wake and puts even what happened back then in the shade with a new set of superlatives.
Category: Issue 6/2005
Posted by: Editor
The preparations by the Messegesellschaft (trade fair organisers) AFAG, in close collaboration with the VfA and the appointed Advisory Board to the trade fair under the leadership of Werner A. Boehm, bore fruit. All those involved benefited from the trade fair promotion campaigns at home and abroad, in fact it was at all the national and international trade fairs that the course was set for a good interlift 05. So having already reached a new record high in terms of exhibitor numbers and exhibition area, the number of visitors to this international headline fair for the lift sector also reached a new record level. With the total number at 17,500, incidentally not counting the personnel of the individual exhibitors most of whom also visited each other’s stands, once again there were more people than ever before to be found in the trade fair halls. All this in a period during which other trade fairs are stagnating or in fact even reporting falling attendances. The number of exhibitors alone, now 455 in total, undoubtedly made a contribution towards the success, with incidentally 64 % coming from abroad. That’s 12 % more than is found on average at other German trade fairs. This once again underlines the character of a ‘world’ trade fair, with the visitors, one in every two now coming from abroad, making a clear statement by comparison with other trade fairs. Anyone who is anyone in the lift sector visits this trade fair in Augsburg to find out about the latest trends and developments or in fact to exhibit their own products and services. That’s how the President of VfA-Interlift, Achim Hütter sees it and his statement on this is given below:
“By comparison to 2003 interlift has become noticeably even more international on the visitors side as well. On our stand we recorded an increased number of visitors from the Middle East as well as from Russia. It was of course also impossible not to notice the increase in the number of Chinese visitors. The outcome of the numerous discussions that I held with exhibitors over the past few days reveals one very particular common denominator. The companies are without exception extremely satisfied with the result of this interlift. This is all the more pleasing when you know that there was an extremely high level of expectation from interlift amongst many exhibitors.”
Here again, the figures achieved provide a clear sign. According to this year’s visitor survey the 86 % of the visitors were decision-makers. In addition, 84 % of visitors rated the trade fair “good” to “very good”. In line with this, the visitors also spent longer at the trade fair. Whilst the previous figure was 1.6 days it’s now 1.8 days, in other words on average visitors spent nearly 2 days at the trade fair. Of these approximately 67 % only attended interlift and no other similar trade fair. At this point we should of course again mention the exhibitors, 71 % of whom also intend to exhibit at the next trade fair, 27 % replied “don’t know” and just 1 % will not be there at interlift 07. We can consequently expect new record figures next time since 73 % have already rated the trade fair overall as “very good” and “good” and 22 % as “satisfactory”.
Most have high expectations from the follow-up business to the fair. The figure here is in fact 89 %. Just 3 % expect the level of follow-up business to be lower. In addition to the trade fair itself we should also mention the forum which is run with the help of the extensive commitment on the part of the VfA Academy. Under the leadership of Werner A. Boehm it staged high quality presentations over a 4 day period, with simultaneous translation into German and English. More than 1000 participants registered for these, representing a significant increase by comparison with 2003. The Forum’s new structure, with brief presentations and subsequent discussions, was very well received. There was a broad spectrum between technical presentations given by leading representatives from the sector and presentations from company representatives.
Incidentally, these can now be viewed on the Internet by going to www.interlift.de, selecting “Portrait” then “Forum”. In this context the sincere thanks of the participants go to the speakers and, in particular, the organisers. Especially to the Messegesellschaft AFAG for the premises provided and the excellent organisation as well as to the actual manager of the Forum Werner A. Boehm. He will undoubtedly also play a key role at the next interlift. A few locations were provided for relaxation and informal conversation in parallel with the trade fair events themselves. The joint exhibitor evening in Hall 6, to mention just one, an event that, as in the previous year, was once again very well attended. Away from the bustle of the trade fair stands, numerous discussions were held against the background of live music, cold buffet, roast ox and draft beers.
Reflecting the motto already mentioned above that “no sooner has one trade fair ended than another one starts“, for many of those involved it’s already time to get to work again, with the documents for interlift 07 being prepared and sent out at the beginning of next year. I would like to congratulate all of you on this and hope that you enjoy the preparations for an even more exciting interlift 07. Many thanks to the AFAG for the figures they provided and to the Lift-Report for the successful photos of the trade fair.
Joachim Ramrath
(VFA Interlift e. V.)
6/2005
