HUSUM WindEnergy 2014 will go ahead as planned. This statement by Messe Husum & Congress thus directly contradicts reports that the world’s leading wind industry trade fair, which has been held in Husum since 1989, will be moving to Hamburg in 2014.
Husum considers the method used by VDMA Power Systems, which is only one of a large number of trade associations representing just one fragment of the industry, to be a source of needless uncertainty for the wind industry. Husum also criticised the selection criteria on which VDMA based its location study. The Husum fair organisers have not received any specific offer of cooperation from VDMA and/or Messe Hamburg und Congress GmbH. The Husum company predicts a growth potential of around 30% for HUSUM WindEnergy 2014.
Peter Becker, managing director of Messe Husum & Congress is irritated by the way VDMA has gone ahead: “VDMA has acted as though it speaks for the whole wind industry, something we must emphatically reject. There has been no public contest which Hamburg has won over Husum. We have massive backing from a large number of exhibitors, and have already received over 450 registrations for 2014. HUSUM WindEnergy 2014 will be held in Husum. The industry does not need more events in Germany, it needs fewer, stronger trade fairs with definitive character.”
Criticism of VDMA’s site analysis
Becker particularly criticised the selection criteria on which it based its location study, where the emphasis is solely on the infrastructural issues required for holding a wind trade fair. “VDMA’s catalogue of selection criteria does not take into account the exhibitors’ objectives in showcasing at a trade fair. The most important objectives for businesses at a trade fair are to win new customers, cultivate existing customers, and do successful deals. Husum is an excellent venue in this regard, very much thanks to its very special atmosphere. If the infrastructure is so important for the success of a trade fair, why did Hamburg’s attempts to hold a wind fair in 2002, 2004, and 2006 all fail?“Becker also contradicted the blanket accusation that there are not enough hotel beds in the area around Husum. “There are a total of 16,000 hotel and B&B beds available within a half-hour’s drive of the fair. With the traffic in the Hamburg rush-hour it can take you a good hour to get from A to B – it’s just the perception that’s different.”
2014: 25th anniversary of HUSUM WindEnergy
For Messe Husum & Congress one thing is sure, and that is that the next HUSUM WindEnergy in 2012 will build upon the increasing success experienced in recent years. With 60,000 square meters of exhibition space, the fair is expecting around 40,000 visitors and 1,200 exhibitors. Becker announced improvements for the coming year which will include the provision of more parking spaces and access roads. A hotel booking system will show how much accommodation is still free, and the shuttle service will be enhanced. Another feature in Husum’s favour is that here you are really in what can be described as Germany’s biggest wind adventure park. There are about 2,600 wind turbines in the vicinity of the exhibition ground, which can be viewed in operation. “We can deal with headwinds, and are quite prepared to compete with Hamburg. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2014 – and in Husum of course!“ assured Peter Becker.
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Source: husumwindenergy, October 14, 2011