Record Results for ICE Europe 2011

The 7th International Converting Exhibition, ICE Europe 2011, concluded with record numbers of visitors, exhibitors, and floor space. With 5,700 visitors from 65 countries, 384 exhibitors from 23 countries, and a net exhibition space of some 10,000 square meters, ICE Europe 2011 enjoyed its biggest exhibition ever. At its new venue, the Munich Trade Fair Centre, the show had grown by 7 percent in visitor numbers, by 17 percent in exhibitor numbers, and by 24 percent in exhibition space compared to the previous event.

“These are, of course, very positive results; and we are particularly delighted to be able to report a further 7 percent increase in visitor numbers on top of the 27 percent increase we already had at the show in 2009,” says Nicola Hamann, exhibition director ICE Europe on behalf of the organizers Mack Brooks Exhibitions. “This year’s exhibition has therefore clearly made another step forward; it is firmly positioned as the leading international trade fair for the world-wide converting industry, with the new venue adding to the professional flair of the exhibition.

“We are pleased to be able to report that ICE Europe 2011 was also more international than ever: 44 percent of the exhibitors and 47 percent of the visitors came from outside Germany. This is an increase of 4 percent in international visitors compared to last time, while the traditionally high percentage of foreign exhibitors remained stable,” continues Hamann.

Some 70 percent of the non-German visitors came from other EU countries and a further 20 percent from European countries outside the EU. The Far East, the Middle East, and North America were also represented at ICE Europe 2011 with some 3 percent of visitors coming from each of these regions. The 2011 event welcomed considerably more visitors from Eastern Europe, Turkey, and North America. Top ten visitor countries, after Germany and Italy, were Switzerland, Austria, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Russia, and Poland.

Major industry sectors represented by visitors were packaging, engineering, the paper industry, package printing, the chemical industry, and textiles/nonwovens. The exhibition categories visitors were primarily interested in were coating and laminating, slitting/rewinding, accessories, control/test/measurement, and materials.

A first analysis of the exhibitor survey shows that a vast majority of the participating companies were highly satisfied with the results of the exhibition as well as with the new venue. They praised the high quality of trade visitors and reported large numbers of business contacts. The new show grounds were well received for their excellent infrastructure and modern exhibition halls. Most of this year’s exhibitors had already indicated on site that they intended to exhibit again at the next exhibition. ICE Europe 2013 will take place from 19-21 March 2013 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Next year, Mack Brooks Exhibitions will organize ICE Asia, from 23-25 October 2012, in Shanghai, China; and the next ICE USA will take place from 9-11 April 2013 in Orlando, Florida.

Information on the ICE International Converting Exhibitions is available at www.ice-x.com.