The registration deadline for InnoTrans 2018 is only a few days away and already, with about a year to go before the next event, the number of companies due back for the transport trade fair is impressive. Booking levels are currently 25 per cent higher than comparative figures for the last event.
An increase in international attendance and demand for more space are currently the most important trends. Overall, exhibitors have requested ten per cent more floor space, with international exhibitors alone occupying close to 20 per cent more display area. From 18 to 21 September 2018 InnoTrans will again provide an overview of the international transport industry’s range of products and services.
Bus Display 2018 on course for success
Last year’s launch of the Bus Display was an all-round success. Numerous manufacturers of public transport buses were able to exhibit on the Static Display area, as well as on the adjacent 500-metre long Demonstration Course. To date, no other trade fair offers this unique combination of a display area and test circuit.
At InnoTrans 2018 electromobility will be the dominant theme at the Bus Display. Among the companies represented will be Sileo GmbH from Germany, Solaris Bus & Coach from Poland and VDL Bus & Coach bv from the Netherlands.
Hall 27 due for completion in 2019
A new multi-purpose hall (Hall 27) has been under construction on the rail track and outdoor display site since summer 2017. Following the relocation of new rail track the rail section will occupy the same amount of space, whereas the display area on the outdoor site will be reduced. Once completed, the hall will cover a total of 10,000 square metres, making it the largest on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. In the years to come it will also provide temporary space while halls on the exhibition grounds are being refurbished. Construction phases will be scheduled to ensure minimum interference with major events. This new building represents the first part of Messe Berlin’s master plan to modernise the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, in order to compete globally and in the long term to provide leading trade fairs such as InnoTrans with more floor space.
InnoTrans expands its Career Concept
Around 3,500 career starters from around the world attended the last InnoTrans, aiming to kickstart their careers with the many services and opportunities offered by the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology. Among the participants were student groups from China, Denmark, Korea, Sweden and the US. In 2016 InnoTrans sponsored two student competitions in the US and China to give students a chance to explore job opportunities in this connected industry at the world’s leading transport trade fair. Career Awards are also being planned for other countries in 2018.
Mobility Vision Lab presents its vision of the future
“What will the future of mobility look like?“ At the forthcoming InnoTrans this will be the dominant theme at the Mobility Vision Lab (previously the Future Mobility Park). The area joining Halls 20 and 21 is where creative designers will be organising a showroom presenting visionary transport concepts. Last year, international companies including Moon, SkyWay, NEXT and Hyperloop impressed trade visitors with their ideas.
Innovative tunnel construction technology
Providing a close link with Railway Infrastructure, the Railway Tunnel Construction segment has become an indispensable part of InnoTrans. In 2018 in Hall 5.2 industry companies from Germany and abroad will be presenting their innovative solutions for new construction projects and maintenance of existing tunnel systems. Leading companies who have already registered include Herrenknecht AG and NIEDAX GMBH & CO. KG from Germany as well as Talleres Zitron S.A. from Spain. Newcomers to the fair include Ultra Fog Ltd. from the UK, who make high-pressure watermist sprinkler systems for fighting fires. SangSangDom Co., Ltd., which manufactures tunnel inspection robots, is also taking part for the first time. Accompanying the Tunnel Construction segment will be the International Tunnel Forum, where discussion forums featuring international speakers will have information on the latest tunnel construction topics for trade visitors. The forum is organised by the German Research Association for Underground Transportation (STUVA).