Hannover Messe 2024 ends with stable visitor numbers
130,000 visitors attended the Hannover Messe to find out about industry trends. Surprisingly, the main topic of AI was not well represented.
(Bild: emw/heise online)
Hannover Messe 2024 came to an end on Friday after five days with stable visitor numbers. Deutsche Messe AG announced that a total of 130,000 visitors came to the exhibition grounds - the same number as last year. This meant that the company had achieved its own visitor target, said a satisfied Jochen Köckler, Member of the Board of Management. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the trade fair had recorded significantly higher visitor numbers. In 2019, 215,000 people attended. In 2020, the trade fair had to be canceled for the first time since it was founded in 1947 due to the pandemic. In 2021, it only took place digitally. The trade fair was only able to take place in its usual format again in 2023.
Around 4,000 exhibitors from 60 countries took part in the world's largest industrial show. The focus was on artificial intelligence, climate-friendly production, solutions for the energy transition and hydrogen as an energy source. The exhibitors included major technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon Web Services, Dell, SAP, Siemens and Bosch. There were also numerous medium-sized companies and over 300 start-ups.
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Focus topic AI not well represented
Although AI was one of the main topics at this year's Hannover Messe, it was surprisingly absent from the event itself. While major providers such as Google and Microsoft placed the topic prominently, many other exhibitors were much more reserved. This is because AI has long been standard in many industrial processes and is therefore rarely highlighted separately. Nevertheless, research institutions and individual companies showed how AI can be used to optimize production processes and energy efficiency, for example.
Important "mood booster"
Gunther Kegel, President of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association, described this year's Hannover Messe as an "important mood booster" considering the current difficult economic environment. The German Engineering Federation was also positive. The exhibitors showed how factories can make production safer and more efficient through intelligent control, the use of modern production equipment for climate protection and autonomous systems, said Managing Director Thilo Brodtmann.
Partner country: From Norway to Canada
This year's partner country was Norway. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of the partnership and cooperation between the two countries at the opening of the trade fair. At the opening of the trade fair, Scholz emphasized the role of industry in Germany's progress and spoke out in favour of reducing bureaucracy. Støre emphasized the sustainability of future innovations and highlighted Norway's experience in carbon capture and storage. Von der Leyen spoke about the EU's role in competing for progress and investing in cybersecurity, supercomputers and digital skills. The Hermes Prize for Innovation was awarded to Schunk and Archigas GmbH. During the opening event, contracts were signed for the transportation of hydrogen and the storage of carbon dioxide under the North Sea, among other things.
The next Hannover Messe will take place from March 31 to April 4, 2025, with Canada as the partner country. (vza)
