The organizers of GIFA 2011, the 12th International Foundry Trade Fair, as well as its companion events, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST 2011, indicate that exhibit space at the four expos will set a new record. There is a notable trend towards larger booths, according to Messe Düsseldorf, the organizer: a total of 831,300 square feet of net exhibit space has been reserved, compared to 782,500 square feet at the last staging in 2007.
GIFA 2011 - International Foundry Trade Fair with WFO Technical Forum, METEC 2011 - 8th International Metallurgical Technology Trade Fair with Congress, THERMPROCESS 2011 - 10th International Trade Fair and Symposium for Thermo Process Technology, and NEWCAST 2011 - 3rd International Trade Fair for Precision Castings, will take place June 28 through July 2 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.
“We didn’t expect this,” according to project director Friedrich-Georg Kehrer. “Everyone in our industry thought that the exhibitors would come, but with substantially smaller stands. However, the bookings to date reveal that the trade fairs have grown considerably, by almost 50,000 square feet.”
Anticipating a need for more exhibit space, Messe Düsseldorf made a larger hall (Hall 3) available for METEC – Hall 3, which has been almost fully reserved — so the four events will be held in Halls 3-17.
However, the organizers indicate that the effects of the recent recession are evident in the booking of space for GIFA. While the total volume of space registered for GIFA 2011 is nearly as high as for the 2007 staging (452,000 square feet, versus 471,400 square feet) as a result of mergers and takeovers in the metalcasting equipment and supplies sector the total number of exhibitors has decreased to 723 from 793.
On the other hand, METEC 2011 will set a new high for its number of exhibitors (437) and volume of space reserved (almost 215,000 square feet).
The number of companies registered for THERMPROCESS 2011 is 300, more than ever before, and 102,000 square feet of space has been reserved.
NEWCAST also appears set for 300 exhibitors, covering almost 64,500 square feet.
For information on visiting or exhibiting at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS or NEWCAST 2011, contact [email protected].