(WK-intern) – Joint industry solution for arrangement of wind trade fairs in Germany – The exhibition companies in Hamburg and Husum have worked out an industry solution for arranging wind trade fairs in Germany. From September 2014 onwards they will jointly organise the wind industry’s leading biennial international trade fair in Hamburg. As of September 2015 there will be an additional domestically oriented wind trade fair in Husum in the uneven years. Today the two managing directors, Bernd Aufderheide from Hamburg Messe und Congress, and Peter Becker from Messe Husum und Congress, signed an agreement to this effect in Rendsburg.

At a press conference that was also attended by Hamburg’s senator for economic affairs, Frank Horch, Schleswig-Holstein’s minister for economic affairs Reinhard Meyer, and UVNord’s (North German Business Confederation) president Uli Wachholtz, the exhibition companies announced that they will in future continue to develop the wind trade fairs as equal partners. “We are pleased with the solution that has been found, and which assures that the leading international wind industry trade fair will remain in northern Germany in the long term. We will develop it together and offer both the onshore and offshore sectors the world’s leading platform in the wind metropolis Hamburg. At the same time, we will be continuing the long tradition in Husum while focussing on the needs of the domestic wind market”, emphasised Becker and Aufderheide unanimously. “This will make ideal use of the strengths of both exhibition venues, whereby they offer exactly the service that the wind industry wants. The experts from both exhibition companies will thus be combining their expertise and complementing one another to achieve their common goal.”

Politicians, trade associations and the industry welcomed the amicable consensus. In the words of economics senator Frank Horch: “Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg will play a decisive role in the implementation of a successful energy transition, especially with regard to wind power. This is why it was important to find a joint solution. I am very pleased with the result that has been presented today. I would particularly like to thank Uli Wachholtz for the contribution he has made. I am sure that the North German business base as a whole will receive even more international attention as the centre of expertise for wind power.”

According to Schleswig-Holstein’s minister for economic affairs, Reinhard Meyer, it is primarily due to the broad support in the industry that this compromise can be seen as a success for Northern Germany as an exhibition location. The most important players in the market have undertaken to show at both fairs. “Such support is a great mark of confidence that will pay off for both exhibition companies and both federal states. Husum and Hamburg are thus demonstrating their joint strength and self-confidence to the international competition“, said Meyer.

UVNord president Uli Wachholtz: “Today is a good day for The North. I am pleased that we have reached an agreement. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have taken a great step closer to one another, and will remain the wind power hub. The solution that has been agreed upon satisfies the wishes of the industry. I would particularly like to thank Schleswig-Holstein’s minister of economic affairs Reinhard Meyer, and Hamburg’s economic affairs senator Frank Horch for their constructive support and their assistance in the negotiations. This could be a role model for closer cooperation between both federal states, and the business sector wants such a cooperation!“

The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) supports the agreement reached between Husum and Hamburg. “We represent around 20,000 members from a variety of markets, and who consequently have different requirements as far as wind trade fairs are concerned. The joint concept combines the tradition and atmosphere of Husum, which is important for the German market, and the advantages of the Hamburg business base that international exhibitors are used to”, said BWE president Sylvia Pilarsky-Grosch.

Andreas Nauen, chair of the wind industry at VDMA: „We welcome the agreement between the Husum and Hamburg exhibition companies. This provides the foundation to keep the leading international wind industry trade fair in Germany in the long term, and use the expertise of both companies to develop it further. The new exhibition concept also takes into account the regional demands for the north German market. We are sure that this cooperation offers a sustainable concept that is supported by the wind industry.“

Wind power is an important economic factor for Schleswig-Holstein: the immediate added value provided 6830 jobs in 2011, numerous local communities and private individuals actively profit from communal wind farms and communal grids. The Global Wind Energy Council estimates that the introduction of new designated wind areas and repowering will bring investments of around 10 billion euros to Schleswig-Holstein in this decade. The cooperation with Hamburg and the joint wind trade fair for the domestic market in Husum will secure the significant local value creation for Messe Husum & Congress. “Here we have 35 employees, 100 limited partners, and numerous local businesses that we feel responsible for. With this joint exhibition concept we have been able to secure our core business for a very long, long way into the future”, said Becker.

In recent years, Hamburg has developed into Europe’s wind power capital. Numerous leading wind power enterprises now have their headquarters or main branches in the business metropolis. This concentration of specific know-how is internationally recognised and continues to attract new companies from all over the world, who wish to be part of the future development of this future-oriented industry.

Bernd Aufderheide: “Hamburg is thus virtually predestined to give the wind trade fair a future. Here the industry has room to grow. As partners we can use synergies and the expertise of both exhibition companies to provide the best for the wind industry.”

PM: Messe Husum / Hamburg

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