Messe Frankfurt, the location for this year’s Prolight + Sound, has released the final numbers for the show – with a significant increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers. As well as its 873 exhibitors (as previously reported in Installation Europe) – up 6% on the previous year – the show saw 33,781 visitors from 107 countries, an increase of 9% over 2010. Frankfurt Messe was particularly pleased to report an increase of 2,733 – from 45% to 49% – in the number of visitors coming from outside Germany. In 2009, the proportion of international visitors was around 40 percent. 58% of the companies exhibiting in 2011 came to Frankfurt am Main from outside Germany. With these two sets of indicators, Frankfurt Messe believes that Prolight + Sound has confirmed its position as the sector’s leading international trade fair.
“The difficult phase in the business environment seems to be over now in the show and events sector too,” said Detlef Braun, member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt (pictured). “The backlog of investment is beginning to be cleared and so many companies are feeling positive as they look towards the future. That is also reflected in the impressive numbers for this year’s Prolight + Sound. The economic climate is judged to be extremely good, and Prolight + Sound, as an international platform for the sector, is seen in a very positive light.”
“We see the fair as a great way of channelling our product ranges to the appropriate specialist retailers,” said Klaus Hilles, regional director, EMEA of exhibitor Christie. “The trade days far exceeded our expectations. Our discussions have shown that, from a purely economic point of view, business is picking up and more is once again being invested. This year, it has also been particularly pleasing to note the synergies that have resulted from the context of co-exhibitors in Hall 9.0 – especially in terms of visitor quality.”
www.messefrankfurt.com
