Mood of optimism at summit meeting of ITC sector 
Higher proportion of visitors from abroad
More visitors from Asia and America
Professional visitors account for approx. ninety percent
Despite the very changeable “April” weather at CeBIT “spring” seems to be just around the corner. The report by Deutsche Messe AG on CeBIT at the half-way mark provides every reason to be very satisfied and feel confident about the future. The positive signs hoped for by the ITC sector are evident at the world’s leading trade show for information technology and telecommunications. During the first four days of the event a total of approx. 350,000 visitors from all over the world attended CeBIT in order to gain an update on the latest information and telecommunications technology. The proportion of foreign visitors especially from Asia and America as well as the high level of expertise demonstrated by the visitors exceeded the expectations of both organizers and exhibitors. A total of 7,962 exhibitors from 61 countries have placed the focus on mobile communication, IT security and e-government, which have so far served as driving forces on the market.
The exhibitors at CeBIT 2002 are satisfied with the first few days of CeBIT. After a rather sluggish first day the mood of the exhibitors has improved from day to day. As reported by BITKOM, the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media, Berlin, the exhibiting companies are very pleased with the “high proportion of foreign professional visitors, which has increased noticeably by comparison with the previous year”. According to BITKOM this high level of international attendance is particularly satisfying as “the exhibitors have focussed more strongly this year than in the past on visitors from abroad”.
23.4 percent of all the visitors registered up until Friday evening have come from abroad an increase of more than one percentage point compared with last year (2001: 22.3). There has been a marked increase in particular in the share of visitors from America from 5.3 percent to approx. 6 percent. This is a surprising increase which demonstrates the importance of CeBIT on the American market. The response to CeBIT in Asia has also been very pleasing once again. More than 20.7 percent of all visitors from abroad have come from Asia (2001: 20.2). According to the statistics gathered so far the proportion of professional visitors is approx. ninety percent for the first time. At CeBIT 2001 the corresponding figure was 87.7 percent.
The reorganization of the display categories as well as the extension of CeBIT from seven to eight days is commented upon favourably by both visitors and exhibitors. The new exhibit breakdown in the various halls serves to provide a better overview and reduces the walking distances for visitors moving from one exhibit group to another. The extra trade fair day increases the opportunities for conversations with individual visitors and has led to a more relaxed atmosphere at the stands. According to BITKOM there is at long last “sufficient time for high-calibre contacts and discussions”
“future parc”, the innovations market for technology transfer in Hall 11, has proved to be a major attraction for visitors. Exhibitors are unanimous that the event has made an excellent start which clearly exceeds expectations. Numerous representatives from the business and scientific communities are attracted to “future parc”, while prominent politicians are also visiting Hall 11. The event was opened by Edelgard Bulmahn, the Federal Minister for Research, and has also been visited by Gerhard Schröder, the Chancellor of Germany. A further high-ranking visitor is also expected on Tuesday (19 March), when His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will be opening “British Day”. Around 400 colleges and universities, research institutes, federal ministries, as well as spin-off and start-up companies are exhibiting at “future parc”. The exhibitors are full of praise for the ideal combination of research, private enterprise, capital and government support. The discussion forum “future talk” has registered very keen interest. In fact, some of the meetings are literally bursting at the seams. There is also every reason to be satisfied with “future market”, which is taking place for the first time. Start-up and spin-off companies are not only presenting their creative solutions for the ITC sector but also offering their services as partners. According to exhibitors at “future market” the event is proving to be an ideal mediator between research and development enterprises, start-up and spin-off companies, service companies and investors. The notable success of “future parc” and its novel concept clearly demonstrates the considerable importance of CeBIT for small and medium-sized companies, which account for approx. ninety percent of all exhibitors at CeBIT.
The foreign exhibitors at the four “Exchange Stands” also regard the first few days of CeBIT as extremely successful. The technology exchanges “DSL Exchange”, “Bluetooth Exchange” und “WiFi Exchange” in Hall 13 as well as “Fibre Channel Exchange” in Hall 16 focus on topics of current interest in the ITC sector.
The first four days at CeBIT have demonstrated quite clearly that the ITC sector is in a mood of optimism. The exhibitors are now looking forward to the remaining four days of the trade show.
Further information for the press is available from:
Ms Gabriele Dörries
Tel.: (++49 5 11) 89-3 10 14
Fax: (++49 5 11) 89-3 26 31
E-Mail: [email protected]
Dossiers – Empresas