So How Did We Do?
Posted by Ryan Klemm on Fri, Jun 18, 2010 @ 01:45 PM
2009 was a pretty tough year for just about everyone – and boy was it ever a stinker and aren’t we all glad it’s behind us…
All things considered, though, the Messe Düsseldorf Group seemed to weather the storm better than predicted.
The nature of our business is cyclical in nature – some of our events are held every four years or three, many are held every two years and several are held annually. So after the sun, moon, and stars all aligned for part of 2007 and most of 2008 (all of the leading “mega shows” were held in Düsseldorf back to back over an 18 month period), things slowed down as planned – to the tune of around 50% - but with better results than anticipated: a sales volume of approximately 256 million Euro (approximately US$ 307 million).
Last year’s leading events: MEDICA, boot, A+A and CARAVAN SALON.
In 2009, Messe Düsseldorf produced a total of 14 self-owned events and hosted 18 partner and guest events at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds.
A total of 21,961 exhibitors (2008: 32,488) presented their products to 1.123 million visitors (2008: 1.964 million). The hall space rented amounted to nearly 10.5 million square feet (2008: approximately 16 million square feet).
On the international trade fair scene, Messe Düsseldorf organized 37 commissioned events and 21 of its own. Primarily due to the economic downturn in Russia
with sales losses of 30%, Messe Düsseldorf closed its international trade fair business year 2009 with sales of Euro 37 million – 25% percent less than in 2008.
So after the 2009 worldwide recession there are now signs of an overall upward trend.
Based on the trade fair cycles, Messe Düsseldorf predicts a sales increase in 2010 compared to last year.
However, the economic recovery still appears slow, it’s still a relatively quiet year in our show cycle with a few exceptions, and so we are expecting as our CEO called it, a "black zero.”
Let’s see how we do!