1. THE GERMAN TRADE FAIR MARKET
According to initial estimates by the Kiel Institute for the
World Economy (Institut für Weltwirtschaft, IfW), global GDP
(calculated on the basis of purchasing power parity) is still
growing at a modest pace and at 3.4 percent on average for
the year has probably risen only marginally faster than in
2013. Preliminary figures released by the Association of the
German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) show that international
and national trade fairs in Germany recorded steady growth.
In 2014, around 176 trade fairs took place with 1 percent
more exhibitors and visitors compared with the respective
prior-year events. The amount of leased stand space gener-
ally remained constant. There was an above-average increase
in foreign participation, which rose by 3 percent. AUMA is
cautiously optimistic for 2015 and anticipates that trade fair
figures will remain stable or increase slightly compared with
previous events. According to a forecast by AUMA, around
168,000 exhibitors will be taking part in the 161 trade fairs
of international or national significance, utilising exhibition
space of 6.1 million square metres. AUMA is expecting visi-
tors numbers to stabilise at approximately 9.6 million.
2. FOREIGN BUSINESS
Foreign business for German trade fair organisers is on track
to expand further. German organisers are planning to hold
313 trade fairs abroad in 2015 (2014: 306, 2013: 277), mainly
in China, Russia and India. Participation in foreign trade fairs
rose to 245 in 2014 (2013: 262). While the budget remains
unchanged, 253 participations are planned for 2015, primarily
in China (52), Russia (41), United Arab Emirates (23), USA
(21) and India (16).
3. THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION AND CONFERENCE BUSINESS
Although final figures for the development of the national
and international convention and conference market in 2014
are not yet available, it is assumed that there will be slight
growth in the German events market.
The German convention and conference business remains
the European market leader and ranks second worldwide
after the United States. The large number of top-class venues
in Germany and the oversupply of convention and confer-
encing capacity has led to persistently high competitive
pressure. This pressure is being increased still further by an-
nouncements about expansion and modernisation projects
and also new construction undertakings. Hamburg ranks
fourth among the most popular German cities (previous year:
fifth). Its excellent infrastructure provides ideal conditions
for the event organiser to stage successful conferences and
conventions. In addition to the infrastructure of the confer-
ence and convention centre, the general conditions at the
destination, such as accessibility, hotel accommodation,
security and cost-effectiveness, are playing an increasingly
important role in the decision on the venue. In the national
and international association business, there is also an
emerging trend of compliance aspects being used as one of
the selection criteria.
A. BUSINESS AND
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
MANAGEMENT REPORT 2014 (SHORT VERSION)
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Hamburg Messe und Congress | Annual Report 2014
MANAGEMENT REPORT