Tuesday, January 31, 2017
For the first time ever, 80,000 of the more than 250,000 visitors who attended BAU 2017 were from abroad. As a result, BAU, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems, managed once again to make significant gains at the international level (2015: 72,000 visitors). With more than 65,000 visitors from architecture and planning offices, BAU managed yet again to solidify its reputation as a trade fair for architects. With a total of 2,120 exhibitors from 45 countries, it also set a new record for the number of exhibitors.
Reinhard Pfeiffer, the Managing Director responsible for the fair, is pleased with the results: “Once again, BAU has set a number of new records. In doing so, it has done an impressive job of demonstrating its position as a driving force behind innovation and a source of momentum to the construction industry.” Dieter Schäfer, Chairman of the BAU Exhibitor Advisory Board, was also thrilled: “From the exhibitors’ perspective, BAU was a complete success. It rightfully bears the title ‘World’s Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems.’ For Martin J. Hörmann, Deputy Chairman of the BAU Exhibitor Advisory Board, BAU is “the industry highlight every two years.” Dieter added further.
Once again, the Top 10 countries of visitor origin included three countries from outside the EU: Turkey (3,055 visitors/2015: 3,716), Russia (2,868/2015: 2,500) and China. The already large number of Chinese trade visitors increased once again (2,235 visitors/2015: 2,096), and China improved its ranking in the Top 10.
During BAU, Messe München announced that it has acquired a majority share of FENESTRATION CHINA, China’s most important trade fair for windows, doors and facades. “As the future organizer of FENESTRATION BAU China, the fact that our key exhibitors have responded so positively to this news is extremely important,” explained Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer. According to Cathy Peng, founder of FENESTRATION CHINA and future co-owner of the new FENESTRATION BAU China, combining FENESTRATION CHINA with segments from BAU and BAU Congress China is clearly a ‘win-win situation.’ The new joint platform FENESTRATION BAU China will take place for the first time in Shanghai from November 7 to 10, 2017. The merger has also allowed BAU to strengthen its position in China, the most important construction market in the world.
“BAU was founded in 1964, and in its more than 50 year history, it has developed into an internationally respected mega event. Everyone who made their way through the fair’s 17 exhibition halls was left with that impression,” explained Mirko Arend, Exhibition Director of BAU. The halls and exhibition stands were full from day one. As always, the halls were characterized by elaborately designed stand presentations—many two-stories high. The visitors that could be seen and heard at the stands came from around the world. The 2,120 exhibitors from 45 countries were well prepared. Many of them brought specially trained employees to BAU to better serve all the international guests. But even though BAU 2017 demanded complete dedication from its exhibitors, given all the new contacts, high-quality visitors and positive economic outlook, the atmosphere at the exhibition stands was outstanding.
BAU’s position as the absolute number one in the industry was also verified by a survey of exhibitors conducted by market research institute Gelszus, the results of which are almost impossible to improve upon. According to the survey, nearly all exhibitors (98 percent) gave BAU a rating of good to excellent. Its character as a leading exhibition was recognized on a broad front (95 percent). 95 percent of exhibitors gave it top marks for quality, 91 percent for the share of international visitors. Less surprising: This time exhibitors gave the current state of the economy better marks than in 2015. 91 percent—compared to 81 percent two years ago—gave it a rating of good to excellent. Exhibitors also confirmed that the willingness to make concrete business deals has improved compared to 2015. Almost all exhibitors (98 percent) plan to participate again in 2019.
Tags: 000, 000 visitors, 250, 80, architecture, BAU 2017, international levels, Materials and Systems, significant gains, world's leading trade fair
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