Dr. Gunther Kegel, ZVEI President and also Chairman of the Exhibitors' Advisory Board of the Hannover Messe, spoke of a trade fair at the right time: "The relaunch of the Hannover Messe has been a success and has come at exactly the right time. It is irreplaceable for the dialog between politics and industry, especially in times of political and social change. With their innovations, the companies in the electrical and digital industry have shown that they can be relied on in the transition to a climate-neutral industrial society."

Despite Kegel's positive conclusion, it can be said that Hannover Messe 2022 was different. Many people came to Hannover with no expectations and let the day-to-day running of the trade fair take its course. There was everything from very positive feedback to disappointment. Some companies were also absent, which was not surprising due to trade fair duplications (Logimat in Stuttgart, IFAT in Munich and Nortec in Hamburg took place at the same time) and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Although some companies were listed as exhibitors, they were only represented as sub-exhibitors. Take ABB, for example: the group, traditionally represented with a very large stand, was only present as a sub-exhibitor as part of the Modular & Open Production special show. A lack of exhibitors also forced Deutsche Messe to adjust its hall planning. As a result, only 10 halls were occupied, some of which were divided into separate sections.

Deutsche Messe put the total number of exhibitors, including sub-exhibitors, digital participants and multiple exhibitor presences, for example at special shows or on partner stands, at 2,500. The organizer puts the number of visitors at around 75,000 on site and a further 15,000 online.

Personal contact is important

Exhibitors, visitors and organizers all agreed that there is no substitute for personal contact. VDMA Managing Director Thilo Brodtmann shares this view: "In an environment that was more challenging than ever before, the halls showed that there is no substitute for personal contact. This applies to the exchange between companies and their customers or young talent, but also to the high-level discussions with politicians, for which Hannover Messe offers an ideal venue." Brodtmann continues: "The fact that Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economics and Climate Minister Robert Habeck and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger have pledged their support for the concerns of industrial SMEs in Hanover means a great deal in these times. We are therefore confident that the Hannover Messe will take a further step towards its usual scope next year, when guests from faraway countries will hopefully be able to travel here again without any problems."

"Friend-shoring" as a goal

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other decision-makers from politics and business in attendance warned against turning away from globalization. Nevertheless, a readjustment was necessary. "Friend-shoring" was a much-used word at the trade fair in this context. This refers to establishing production and business in countries with a similar value system. Such as the partner country Portugal, which presented itself as a highly attractive and dynamic location for investments and partnerships during the trade fair.

The next Hannover Messe is scheduled to take place from April 17 to 21, 2023.