An increase in exhibitors and trade visitors, business deals worth billions of euros and growth in international participation: these were the dominant aspects of the ninth edition of InnoTrans. 126,110 trade visitors from 140 countries came to find out about the latest products and services from the global rail industry, exhibited by 2,515 companies from 49 countries, on the trade visitor days of the fair. Thus InnoTrans 2012 set an impressive new record, exceeding the figures of the previous event.

Compared with 2010, when 2243 companies from 45 countries displayed their products and services at InnoTrans, this year there was a 19 per cent increase in trade visitors. Well over 50 per cent of them came from abroad and from 30 more countries than at the last event. For the first time in the fair’s history a 60-man delegation from the United Arab Emirates travelled to InnoTrans. “We have come to InnoTrans to exchange experiences and to find out about the latest developments“, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai.

Overall, compared with the previous fair, InnoTrans reported growth in every important area, i.e. in exhibitors, trade visitors, international participation and rented floor space. The results mean that this fair has cemented its position as the world’s leading marketing platform for the global rail industry.

A new dimension in business
InnoTrans 2012 presented cutting edge technology, underlined by the 104 world premieres displayed by exhibitors in Berlin. As a business venue InnoTrans achieved a new dimension, with deals of more than 1.8 billion euros concluded at the fair. The framework agreement signed between Deutsche Bahn and PESA in Poland for up to 470 diesel trainsets and worth a total of 1.2 billion euros is a perfect example.

According to a representative survey both exhibitors and trade visitors were extremely satisfied with their visit. More than 90 per cent of exhibitors recommended the fair and declared they would be back. The reactions from trade visitors were the same. More than 90 per cent were highly satisfied and said they would be back for InnoTrans 2014. The survey also revealed that almost half of the trade visitors were decision-makers.

Large numbers at the InnoTrans Convention
The InnoTrans Convention featured a number of high-level discussion rounds with experts discussing the latest industry topics. This year’s Dialogue Forum and Rail Leaders‘ Summit, two panel discussions that have become firmly established events, again met with keen trade visitor interest, as did the Public Transport Forum and the International Tunnel Forum.

It should also be noted how well the new formats at the InnoTrans Convention were received. The DB Suppliers’ Forum and International Design Forum met with great interest and were very well attended by trade visitors. With the introduction of the InnoTrans Majlis the organisers of InnoTrans have succeeded in launching a quality event where both senior executives representing industry, politics and associations as well as dignitaries from the Middle East can exchange their views. In the Middle East a majlis signifies a customary gathering where important topics are discussed and personal meetings take place.

Railway station fest at the Berlin Radio Tower
Once again, the InnoTrans Open Weekend on 22 and 23 September was a major success. Next to the Berlin Radio Tower and in beautiful autumn weather a total of 19,081 children, young people and adult train enthusiasts visited the railway station fest to take a look at the trainsets, carriages and locomotives on the outdoor display area. Their numbers marked a 6,000 rise in attendance on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds compared with 2010.