InfraStructures - August 2008 - Focus on the Environment

Focus on the Environment - Most Successful IFAT Ever

During the course of IFAT 2008, over 120 000 trade visitors from 163 countries came to the event, of which more than 40 000 were from outside Germany. Considering that there was an overall rise of 10% in visitor numbers this time, this means the increase in visitors from abroad is disproportionately higher, at almost 18%. Foreign visitors make up over one third of the total number of visitors.

Dr Johannes F. Kirchhoff, Chairman of the Advisory Board of IFAT and managing director of Faun Umwelttechnik: "IFAT has once again done justice to its role as the world's leading trade fair for the sector. Many trade professionals, above all from international markets, made use of this fair to find out about new innovations. The wonderful setting for this trade fair, and the hospitality afforded to us in this city have contributed to the good mood. For my team and I, IFAT was very successful and it can be described as one of the best trade fairs of all time."

The results of a survey of all exhibitors conducted by TNS Infratest testify to their total satisfaction. In total 87% of the exhibitors have already stated they will be taking part in the next IFAT.

One of the highlights at IFAT was also the Accompanying Programme, which featured the forums on 'Water and Sewage' and 'Waste Treatment', and the 14th European Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Symposium. Over 11 700 trade visitors came to the forums, including to the Country Specials and the Environmental Cluster Bavaria - an increase of over 70% in comparison to the previous event. Also successful was the 14th European Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Symposium which attracted 1500 participants.

A total of 2560 exhibitors from 44 countries presented innovative products and services in the fields of water, sewage, waste and recycling. That is a rise of 15% over the previous event.

Victor Garnreiter, management chairman, Eurawasser Aufbereitungs- und Entsorgungs GmbH, in the division Suez Environnement: "IFAT is most certainly the reference fair in the field of the environment. It offers a shop window for state-of-the-art technology."

Source: Messe München International