"We will continue to strengthen the brand and therefore integrate and merge the previous sub-brands into the Hannover Messe umbrella brand," explained Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Messe AG, at a press conference. "Under the guiding theme of Industrial Transformation, our exhibitors will show how industry is positioning itself in times of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and 5G and what contribution a highly automated material flow makes," said Dr. Köckler.

Seven exhibition areas (two of which will be held every two years) will characterize the Hannover Messe from 2020.

© Computers&AUTOMATION

In terms of content, the Hannover Messe will be divided into six exhibition areas in future:

The Automation, Motion & Drives exhibition area (from 2020 in Halls 2 to 13) will cover topics including factory, process and energy automation as well as drive and fluid technology, robotics, industrial sensor technology and image processing, power transmission, transformers, energy management, logistics automation and warehouse technology. Dr. Köckler: "Automation is the origin of the change towards a comprehensively networked industry. In future, it will occupy the entire east and south of the exhibition grounds, thus forming the framework for the industrial transformation and enabling optimal visitor guidance."

The Digital Ecosystems are moving to the center of the exhibition grounds (from 2020 in Halls 14 to 17). Here, everything revolves around digital networking and applications for industry with the topics of business software, PLM, MES, logistics IT, digital platforms and cloud solutions, IT security, augmented & virtual reality, energy management solutions, artificial intelligence and 5G infrastructure.

The Energy Solutions division focuses on supplying industrial plants and connected mobility infrastructure, in particular with electrical energy. Specifically, it deals with power generation, power transmission, power, heating and cooling supply as well as infrastructure for electric vehicles (from 2020 in Halls 11, 12, 13, 27).

Future topics such as lightweight construction and additive manufacturing, surface technology, material-specific components, joining technologies and engineering services will be covered by the Engineered Parts & Solutions exhibition area (from 2020 in Halls 19, 20, 22, 23).

In the Future Lab area (from 2020 in Halls 21 and 24), research and development, start-ups, emerging technologies, innovation culture and the future of work will be on the agenda. Dr. Köckler: "We are creating a hotspot for innovation in the north-east of the exhibition grounds. Start-ups meet research institutes. Industrial companies meet young talents and lateral thinkers. The Future Lab provides an insight into the industry of the day after tomorrow."

The Logistics exhibition area is held every two years and includes conveyor and storage technology, warehouse and operating equipment, industrial trucks and accessories, driverless transport systems, packaging and logistics services (from 2020 in Halls 2, 3 and 4). Every year, however, logistics topics will also feature in the other exhibition areas - in particular logistics automation and digital logistics, thus expanding the annual portfolio of the Hannover Messe to include this topic.

In odd-numbered years, the Compressed Air & Vacuum exhibition area, which also takes place every two years, provides information on innovative compressed air and vacuum technology for all industrial processes (from 2020 in Hall 26).

The Exhibitor Advisory Board supports the changed trade fair concept. Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh, Chairman of the Exhibitors' Advisory Board, explains: "The measures for the consistent further development of the Hannover Messe are 100% supported by the members of the Exhibitors' Advisory Board." Prof. Dr. Loh continues: "We are the show in the world for the industry."

Hanover to become the world's first 5G exhibition center

Deutsche Messe AG intends to equip with a comprehensive 5G infrastructure. Accordingly, Hannover Messe 2019 with its 5G Arena is just the beginning. The aim of the Hanover trade fair company is to equip all halls and the outdoor area with the 5G mobile communications standard by summer 2020. The permanent availability of 5G will then make it possible to test and demonstrate applications from industry, mobility, logistics, smart city and healthcare that would not be feasible without 5G.

As a first step, Deutsche Messe will equip the urban infrastructure of the exhibition grounds with a public and private 5G network.

To this end, the '5G CMM Expo' congress trade fair will become the leading annual event for the key 5G technology. CMM stands for Connected Mobile Machines. The first congress on the topic will be held in October 2019. The first trade fair will then be launched in fall 2020. It is intended to present the range of applications of the 5G standard using tangible use cases for all connected mobile machines in public spaces, in various sectors of the economy and for end consumers.