2008-09-29

EXPO REAL 2008, opening on 6 October 2008, is taking up significantly more space – 11,000 square metres more – than last year. Despite the tougher economic situation in the sector the 11th International Commercial Property Exposition is setting a new space record this year, at 74,000 square metres. That´s 17 percent more than in 2007. Taking part in this event, between 6 and 8 October 2008, will be around 1,850 exhibitors from 46 countries. Seven exhibition halls are booked for the event at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.
 
"Although this year the increase in exhibitor numbers as compared to last year has been a rather modest two percent, the increase in space booked that we are seeing this year shows that especially in the current situation our exhibitors are interested in putting on an extended presentation of their projects, consultancy and other services. And that they are expecting this trade fair in particular to bring them the biggest return on investment," said Eugen Egetenmeir, a member of the management board of Messe München. "In times like these EXPO REAL offers a forum for players in the sector to come together, analyse the situation, exchange views and begin to talk about new directions."
 
The credit crisis and its effects are also a focus in the conference programme. Kicking off the programme is a discussion on 'Subprime, Credit Crunch, Non Performing Loans – Crisis-Management Strategies', on Monday, 6 October, starting at 10:30 in the EXPO REAL FORUM. Here renowned banking experts will be discussing whether we have yet reached the bottom of the downturn, or whether there is worse yet still to come, what shape finance for future projects will take, and what lessons can be learned for the future. The panel consists of the Chairmen of the Board of Directors, Bernd Knobloch of Eurohypo, Dr Karl Petrikovics of Immofinanz, and the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of BayernLB, Dr. Rudolf Hanisch and Bernhard Visker, Board Member of HSH Nordbank.
 
In total over 500 property experts from all over the world will be taking part in the three-day conference programme of EXPO REAL. The focus will be not only be on investment and finance strategies, but also on sustainability that goes beyond purely ecological aspects: for example, there will be a look at sustainable utilisation concepts for hotel, office and retail property. And an analysis of the aspects that investors and operators have to take into account in achieving financial sustainability. Another theme is the life cycle of buildings, and how this can be influenced by sustainable planning and development.
 
In addition, in the Real Estate Investors Guide in the INVESTMENT LOCATIONS FORUM, there will be up-to-date market data and first-hand reviews on growth markets such as Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Russian Federation, where there are numerous investment opportunities in the up-and-coming urban centres with populations of over one million.
 
Further information: www.exporeal.net/en/Conferenceprogramme
 
EXPO REAL
EXPO REAL, the 11th International Commercial Property Exposition, is being held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 6 to 8 October 2008. It is a networking exhibition for interdisciplinary and international projects, investments and financing. It depicts the real-estate industry in its entirety and serves as an international networking platform for key markets including Europe, Russia, the Middle East and the United States. The extensive programme of conference events with some 400 speakers gives participants a thorough overview of the latest trends and innovations in the real-estate, investment and financing market. Around 1,850 companies from 46 countries are expected to take part in EXPO REAL 2008. There were 1,823 exhibitors from 43 countries and 23,800 visitors from 77 countries at EXPO REAL in 2007. Including representatives from the exhibiting companies, the fair thus attracted over 39,000 participants. Exhibitor and visitor statistics for the EXPO REAL trade fair are audited by an accountant on behalf of the Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen (FKM, Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics).
 
Messe München International (MMI)
Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair organisations. It organises around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and new technology. Over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part each year in the trade fairs in Munich. In addition, MMI organises trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and in South America. With six subsidiaries abroad and 66 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.
 
 
Press contact:
Petra Gagel                           
Tel.: +49 89 / 9 49-20244, Fax: +49 89 / 9 49-20249
E-mail: petra.gagel@messe-muenchen.de

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