inter airport moves home
Posted Date: 27/06/2009
Issue: Airside International July 2009
Publication: Airside International
Mack Brooks Exhibitions has given its inter airport show a new home at the Munich Trade Fair. Airside International (AI) speaks to Stephen Brooks, (SB) Chairman, Mack Brooks Exhibitions, about the rationale for the move and his expectations for this show
Mack Brooks Exhibitions has given its inter airport show a new home at the Munich Trade Fair. Airside International (AI) speaks to Stephen Brooks, (SB) Chairman, Mack Brooks Exhibitions, about the rationale for the move and his expectations for this show
AI What advantages does the new venue – the Munich Trade Fair, Germany – offer exhibitors and visitors over the old venue? Why the change?
SB Munich Airport is no longer available for trade shows and, as a consequence, we took the opportunity to survey all possible exhibition and airport locations in Germany and central Europe to find the very best new home for inter airport Europe. Messe Munich has by far the most to offer visitors and exhibitors and allows considerable advantages over the old site at Munich Airport. The Munich fairgrounds provide larger, modern, purpose-built halls and a much improved outside exhibition area; the fairgrounds are regularly used for housing some of the world’s leading indoor/outdoor trade fairs. The halls have all the latest, state-of-the-art facilities and the outdoor infrastructure is unmatched anywhere else in Europe. Also, the new venue is situated much closer to Munich’s city centre, so that participants at inter airport can now take advantage much more easily of all the activities Bavaria’s famous capital has to offer.
AI What is interDESIGN and how does this differ from interTERMINAL?
SB interDESIGN is a new section within inter airport’s exhibition profile, complementing the existing key areas interTERMINAL, interRAMP and interDATA. The long established section interTERMINAL focuses upon terminal operations, infrastructure and technical installations; whereas the new interDESIGN section focuses upon design services and compoments for terminal interiors … furnishings, architectural components and other design elements for example. Airport operators increasingly tell us that passenger comfort and an attractive atmosphere in the terminal building are just as important to their customers as functionality and interDESIGN results from this trend.
AI What do you expect will be the impact of recession on the airport sector and therefore the show? Obviously airlines have been parking fleet, reducing frequencies and shrinking their networks, but do you think that long time horizons for infrastructure projects will insulate the airport sector a little?
SB Over the last decades, the airport industry has experienced significant growth. Air transport is not immune, however, to the effects of the current global economic crisis and, although the nature of long-term infrastructure projects and ongoing airport construction means that, in general, the airport industry is not as hard-hit as other industries, it is inevitable that some suppliers are affected. As show organiser we understand why some companies might need to trim their space requirements and save money, however, with new exhibitors coming into the show for the first time and with the vast majority of exhibitors taking part in as strong a way as ever, the overall picture is one of expansion at inter airport Europe. We already have the largest, most spectacular event confirmed for 2009; today, some four months ahead of the exhibition, the bookings for 2009 cover a total area greater than the previous event in 2007.
AI What has driven shifts in the types of exhibitors over the last 5 or 10 years? Have shifts been caused by increased automation in the airport environment; by IT; by the demand for more security; or something else?
SB Major developments in airport equipment over the past decade have, on the one hand, been driven by the large increase in passenger numbers and, on the other, by specific global challenges (such as the terror threat or increased environmental awareness). The demand for more sophisticated security and IT solutions has dramatically increased since 9/11 and has led to a variety of new and innovative solutions. The biggest challenge for airports, however, has been the need to cope with increasing numbers of passengers; equipment for automated handling and screening processes as well as newly developed products to serve the A380 have resulted. So, taking an overview, the products and services on display at this year’s inter airport accommodate the recent demands for cost awareness, environmental sustainability, customer-service and enhanced security standards.
AI In the 35 years that you have produced this show, have you spotted any noticeable change in the type of attendee you attract? Presumably the mix is becoming broader; or is it? Have there been any surprises?
SB In its long history inter airport Europe has developed and grown in virtually every respect. Over the years, the show has attracted an ever larger professional audience from all over the world. In 2007 we again broke records, with 600 exhibitors from 30 countries and more than 13,000 visitors from 128 countries. Of course, this increase in visitor numbers is partly due to the growth of the industry, but it is also due to the fact that inter airport is the ‘must-attend event’ for anyone in the business of buying or specifying airport-based equipment, technology and services. The visitor profile now includes the fullest possible range of airlines, airports, ground handlers, cargo carriers, service providers, air traffic controllers, architects, investors, consultants and military.
AI Are you open to expanding the inter airport portfolio of exhibitions beyond Europe, India and China? Where next?
SB In addition to our flagship event, inter airport Europe, which takes place for the 17th time from 6th to 9th October 2009 in Munich, the 4th inter airport China will take place from 15-17 September 2010 in Beijing. And, after two successful events held in New Delhi, the 3rd inter airport India will take place in Mumbai from 23-25 February 2011. Beyond this, we are not ready to announce further new locations today, however, in co-operation with exhibitors and mindful of the requirements of our visitors, we will continue to use the inter airport brand around the world in important regional markets.
AI Just how important is physical contact between potential trading partners in a recession? What feedback do you receive in relation to the value of these types of meetings, especially during bad times?
SB It’s clear to me that physical, face-to-face contact between potential trading partners is now more important than ever. Exhibiting companies have developed their participation at this year’s inter airport Europe, because they know that, particularly in more difficult times, the exhibition offers them an opportunity to meet all the right visitors in the same place. Similarly, for trade visitors, the show has the advantage of being a one-stop-shop for everything the airport industry has to offer, covering as it does the whole range of products and services in this sector… from GSE, terminal equipment and security systems to specialised hard and software, as well as architectural components and design elements.
I’ve heard it said many times by visitors and exhibitors alike, that if you only visit one event make sure it’s inter airport Europe and, in challenging times like these, where targeted business planning is more essential than ever, inter airport Europe continues as the “must-attend event” for this industry.
