Closing Report: Strong drinktec boosts confidence and investment

For Messe München GmbH, the organiser of drinktec 2009, Managing Director Norbert Bargmann, drew the following conclusion: "Overall we are very satisfied. In the run-up to drinktec we, too, had to contend with the global economic crisis. Nevertheless we have succeeded in bringing the top ranks of the beverage and liquid food industry to Munich – and that is the critical thing for the exhibitors. The high number of visitors from outside Germany, and the very broad spread of countries they represent, shows just how highly regarded drinktec is around the world.

This is the place to meet up, this is the place to agree contracts and it is the place to prepare for new business. The drop we have seen in German participation is due primarily to budget cuts and the resulting limitations on business travel. Yet, from Germany, too, all the key players in the beverage and liquid food industry were represented, but no longer with the same size of team."

In terms of visitor satisfaction, too, drinktec was able to make further gains from an already high level. The representative survey of visitors, conducted by TNS Infratest, turned in top results across the board. Almost all the visitors (96 percent) to drinktec 2009 described the event as "excellent to good". 95 percent of the visitors gave this same top ranking to the breadth and depth of the range of exhibits. And 91 percent of the exhibitors regard drinktec as the leading trade fair for the sector.

The successful course of drinktec 2009 has awakened high expectations on the part of exhibitors and visitors as regards future economic development. Their optimistic statements are reflected in the results of the survey. Accordingly, 64 percent of the exhibitors and 56 percent of the visitors expect the economic situation to improve. This is considerably more positive than expectations after drinktec 2005.

The supporting programme to drinktec was extremely well received by the trade audience. The two trade-fair forums in Halls B1 and A2 turned out to be a real magnet. Independent experts from all over the world gave lectures here on subjects covering the whole process chain, from manufacture, to filling and packaging of beverages and liquid food, as well as on issues concerned with marketing. Further highlights in the supporting programme were:
- the presentation of the 'Beverage Innovation Awards', in Oscar-style, at a gala event,
- the two-day fruit-juice congress 'International Fruit World' (IFW) on the subject of liquid fruit and fruit processing,
- the PET World Congress, held for the third time, which tackled all the relevant issues in technology and marketing,
- the presentation of the first-ever Dairy Technology Awards, for the successful implementation of innovative technology.

Attracting 2,600 visitors (2008: 1,200 visitors) from over 90 countries (2008: 58 countries), the third oils+fats, International Trade Fair for the Production and Processing of Oils and Fats made from Renewable Resources, celebrated a great success. The number of visitors attending the event more than doubled since last year. oils+fats took place in parallel with drinktec, between 16 and 18 September.

The next drinktec takes place from 16 to 21 September 2013.