Fairs And Exhibitions Abroad : Germany

The growing integration of the world economy makes it increasingly important for German business and industry to participate in foreign trade fairs and exhibitions in order to promote exports. Such participation largely takes the form of information stands or joint exhibitions by German firms at foreign fairs. In 1996 some 5,500 German firms participated in fairs abroad with the support of the Federal Government.

At regular intervals the Federal Republic of Germany organizes industrial exhibitions abroad, such as “TECHNOGERMA” in Mexico in 1994 and “FEBRAL” in Sao Paulo in 1995. A German consumer goods exhibition will be held in Shanghai in 1998, and a “TECHNOGERMA” will take place in Indonesia in 1999. Germany participated in the World Exposition in Seville in 1992 and will be represented at EXPO ‘98 in Lisbon. The Federal Republic will itself host the World Exposition EXPO 2000 in Hanover. Its theme will be “Humankind - Nature -Technology”.

The Main Fair Venues : Germany

Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dussel-dorf, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart are the main German fair venues. The world’s two largest fairs are held in Hanover. The Hanover Fair, founded in 1947, showcases the global spectrum of products for numerous branches of the capital goods industry. In 7 about 7,100 exhibitors displayed their goods on an area of approximately 280,000 square meters. Hanover is also the venue of “CeBIT”, a fair devoted to office, information and telecommunications technologies which emerged from the Hanover Fair in 1986.

In 1997 CeBIT attracted roughly 6,800 exhibitors who presented their products on an area of about 350,000 square meters. 1996 marked the inauguration of “CeBIT Home”, a specialized fair for home and consumer electronics which will be held every two years in the future. Other important fairs held in Hanover are “EMO” (The World of Machine Tools), the International Motor Show (IAA) - Commercial Vehicles, and “LIGNA” (World Fair for Machinery and Equipment for the Wood and Forestry Industries).

Fairs And Exhibitions : Germany

Germany’s fairs have a long tradition. They developed in the early Middle Ages out of markets where people came to trade their wares. They were under the protection of the crowned heads, who granted various towns the right to hold them. On 11 July 1240, for example, Emperor Frederick II granted this privilege to the city of Frankfurt am Main and placed all merchants traveling to the fair under his protection. A privilege from Emperor Maximilian in 1507 made possible the later flourishing of the Leipzig Fair, which had its origins in markets documented as early as 11 65.

In Germany the former comprehensive fair has meanwhile been superseded by specialized fairs for one or more economic sectors. Germany’s importance as a location for international fairs is known throughout the world. At present, about two thirds of the 150 leading international specialized fairs are held in Germany. In 1996, 128 international fairs and exhibitions attracted about 144,000 exhibitors, including roughly 65,000 from abroad, and more than nine million visitors. Participating business and industry as a whole spends about DM 9 billion on fairs in Germany.

The sites for Germany’s fairs are constantly being enlarged. There is considerable investment in new buildings, conversion and new or revamped exhibition concepts. The proportion of foreign exhibitors at German fairs is increasing and in 1996 was about 45 percent. An expanding range of international goods and services stimulates competition and kindles greater interest on the part of international visitors. Aside from the major events, some 200 regional and many smaller exhibitions take place in Germany every year.

The German Central Tourist Board (DZT) : Germany

As Germany’s national marketing organization, the DZT seeks to promote tourist travel to the Federal Republic. It keeps travel agencies and tour organizers informed by publishing a wide range of special offers and informational brochures in many languages which may be obtained from nearly 30 offices and representatives abroad.

Tourist Travel : Germany

Apart from the excellent trunk roads, there is also a dense network of well-maintained federal highways and local roads. Not only hikers have a wide variety of well-marked routes of all lengths to choose from: Germany is also easily accessible to cyclists, thanks to the many bike paths that have been specially constructed for this purpose.

More than 33,000 trains of the Deutsche Bahn AG transport more than four million people over some 40,000 kilometers of track every day. Traveling at speeds of up to 280 km/h and equipped with ultra-modern amenities and innovative technology, the ICE is setting new standards in high-speed travel between Germany’s major cities.
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Food And Drink : Germany

Cuisine and accommodations are of a high standard, ranging from inexpensive rooms on a family farm, in a private home or at a guesthouse to luxury holiday parks and top-class international hotels. Contrary to popular belief, German cuisine does not consist solely of knuckle of pork and sauerkraut. For the gourmet there are an increasing number of restaurants which compare favorably with their renowned international counterparts. There is also a wide range of regional specialties. German wines have an excellent reputation throughout the world, and the fact that Germans know a thing or two about brewing beer hardly needs mentioning. The Germans appreciate foreign food as well: Even in small towns and villages, visitors will find Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish or Greek restaurants

Germany’s Cities : Germany

Germany’s great diversity is reflected not only in its landscapes but also in its cities. In addition to the old and new capital Berlin, the Federal Republic has many urban centers that are’the major metropolises of the regions in which they are located and from which they derive their distinctive flair. Germany’s cities were largely founded along rivers, the most important traffic routes in early times. Today these natural lifelines may no longer have the economic significance they once had, but they enhance the quality of life and leisure time. Attractive destinations affording opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment of nature as well as sports activities often lie just outside the gates of the city.