Despite the turbulence on the financial markets, EXPO REAL 2011 is proving to be a stabilising force in the sector. With exhibitor numbers at the level of last year, the overall participation figures for this year´s show, the 14th International Trade Fair for Commercial Property and Investment, also remained stable: around 37,000 attended the event, roughly the same as last year.
 
"These stable participation figures underline the fact that EXPO REAL is an unmissable platform for exchange and orientation within the sector. As such it promotes transparency and business opportunities. The mood in the halls was very good," said Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director of Messe München International.
 
Bradley A. Olsen, President of Atlantic Partners, USA, agreed: “Despite all the uncertainty in the world, I found that the attendees are still interested in business here at EXPO REAL. For us, this is the 11th year at EXPO REAL and it is the best and most successful fair yet. The number and quality of the attendees is at the highest level.” This assessment is also confirmed by the results of the visitor survey: In total 97 percent of the visitors rated the fair as "excellent to good". 71 percent of the visitors were of the opinion that the current economic situation in the sector was positive. As regards developments going forward, 47 percent expect no change, 28 percent think there will be an improvement and 25 percent see a worsening of the situation.
 
The main themes at the fair centred around the current debt and currency problems in Europe and their effects on the property markets. "EXPO REAL is a reliable indicator of sentiment in the European property markets. And in 2011 the mood is good. But going forward this is increasingly expected to moderate," said Dr Reinhard Kutscher, CEO of Union Investment Real Estate.
 
The high number of quality contacts made at the fair was emphasised by the exhibitors. There was intense dialogue all three days of the fair. Commenting on this, Sven H. Korndörffer, Managing Director Corporate Communications of Aareal Bank AG, said: "EXPO REAL is one of the most important meeting places for the international commercial property sector. It offers an outstanding platform for networking."
 
The participants in 'World of Hospitality', a joint stand of players in the hotel sector, also enjoyed a successful premiere. Peter Verhoeven, CEO of ACCOR Hospitality: "EXPO REAL is a well established and efficient networking show. For us it is the ideal location to meet investors, owners and suppliers."
 
Of the 37,000 participants, 19,000 were trade visitors and 18,000 were representatives from the exhibiting companies. After Germany, the top ten countries of origin for visitors, from among the total of 72 different countries, were – in this order – Great Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, France, Poland, the USA, the Czech Republic, the Russian Federation and Luxembourg.
 
A total of 1,610 companies from 34 countries exhibited at EXPO REAL 2011. There was increased demand for space from companies from outside Germany. For example, this year there was almost double the number of exhibitors from the Netherlands as last year. From Luxembourg, too, interest was higher. Jeannot Krecké, Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg: "We are currently in the process of reorganising our location policy. The presentation put on by Luxembourg at this year´s EXPO REAL was very successful. EXPO REAL has developed into an important date in the calendar. All the key contacts from around the world come together at this event. It would be a serious mistake not to be here."
 
The next EXPO REAL takes place from 8 to 10 October 2012 in Munich.
 
Further information: www.exporeal.net

Press contact:
Katrin Polenz                           
Telephone +49 89 94921483
Fax: +49 89 9499721483
E-mail: katrin.polenz@messe-muenchen.de

Closing report 2011 (Word file)