Nov 24, 2008 The number of attendees from Central and Eastern Europe, Taiwan, Brazil, South Africa and Russia increased compared to previous years. The number from the US, UK, France and Israel declined, due in part to the current economic conditions and to individual companies' limit on the number of employees allowed to attend.
Exhibitor and visitor satisfaction remained high. Exit evaluations showed top marks for the completeness and range of the exhibited products and services, affirming electronica's reputation as the electronics industry's principal trade fair. The results also showed that respondents were pleased with the presence of market leaders and the internationality of exhibitors.
The world economic situation dominated the discussions in the exhibition halls, with virtually all exhibitors and visitors expecting an economic downturn. However, companies are confidently facing the situation and reorganizing accordingly.
Klaus Dittrich, Managing Director of Messe M�nchen International, was extremely satisfied with the outcome of the trade fair: "We are proud that electronica showed its stability in the face of the economic crisis. This result is a very clear indication of the importance of the trade fair as a worldwide meeting-point for the industry."
There were three principal show highlights: the automotive conference, "green" electronics, and the e-Signage forum.
Automotive conference - 250 delegates from 23 countries attended the conference that focused on automotive topics such as hybrid vehicles, low cost cars and the i-car. Speakers came from leading international automotive companies. A featured topic were technologies to reduce automotive CO2 emissions.
Green electronics - This was the "greenest" electronica of all time, with the "green" theme permeating the entire conference and trade fair. There were technologies and solutions providing higher energy efficiency as well as energy generation components and systems that conserve resources.
The CEO Round Table also dealt with the "green" issue. Chaired by Dr. J�rgen Gromer, the former President of Tyco Electronics, the CEOs of Infineon Technologies, Freescale Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, National Semiconductor and Osram Opto Semiconductors discussed "The Contribution of the Semiconductor Industry to Climate Protection. All agreed that intelligent semiconductors can significantly increase electronic systems' efficiency. The electronic industry's economic future is closely tied to increasing energy efficiency in each product developed.
Displays and e-signage - Electronic displays are one of the fastest -growing segments of the electronics market. The e-Signage forum was created at electronica to recognize this increasingly important market. A product show and a "Speaker's Corner" showcased, for example, the world's largest liquid crystal display with a screen diagonal measurement of 2.75 meters.
About electronica
electronica is the electronics industry's leading international trade fair for components, systems and applications. electronica has taken place in Munich every two years since 1964 and is a core component of Messe M�nchen International's electronic trade fair network. This network also includes the leading international trade fair Productronica in Munich as well as regional trade fairs in Brazil, Hong Kong, China and India. With more than 8,000 exhibitors and more than 280,000 visitors at these trade fairs, Messe M�nchen International is one of the major international trade fair organizers in this segment.
About Messe M�nchen International (MMI)
Messe M�nchen International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International Group) is one of the world's leading trade-fair companies. It organizes some 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Each year over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part in the events in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With five subsidiaries abroad - in Europe and in Asia - and 66 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.
MMI headquarters is Messegel�nde, 81823 M�nchen, Germany. Tel. (+49 89) 9 49-2 07 20
Fax: (+49 89) 9 49-2 07 29. Corporate website is http://www.messe-muenchen.com. Electronica website is http://www.electronica.de/en Editorial contacts are Forrest Sass, Theorem, Tel +1 925-462-5280 fsass@ieee.org and Angela Praeg - Messe M�nchen International Tel +49-89-949-20670 angela.praeg@messe-muenchen.de. Reader contact is Carolin Schuetze - Munich International Trade Fairs Tel +1-212-974-1880 cschuetze@munich-tradefairs.com.
