Düsseldorf keeps those wagons rolling
Paul Colston finds out how Düsseldorf got the European tradefair wagon rolling again , with Caravan Salon 2020 a September success and an example for others to follow
ver 107,000 people visited German venue Messe Düsseldorf ’ s first major tradefair since the coronavirus outbreak and some highly satisfied exhibitors went away having hitched some good sales results to their Caravan Salon attendance .
This year ’ s Caravan Salon Düsseldorf provided proof that both caravanning continues to inspire people and that tradefairs can be held successfully even in corona times .
A regional show centred on a sector that has stayed strong through the Covid-19 crisis was a good starting point for Messe Düsseldorf and organising partner the Caravaning Industrie Verband e . V . ( CIVD ). They reported some positive results from the 10-day show , with the 107,000 visitors sending an important signal for the entire tradefair industry . “ The world ’ s most important tradefair for caravanning convinced with its well thought-out hygiene and infection protection concept ,” said Erhard Wienkamp , managing director of Messe Düsseldorf .
“ The whole team at Messe Düsseldorf and CIVD , as well as all employees of our exhibitors , turned this tradefair into a fantastic experience with great commitment and lots of passion ,” Wienkamp added . The mood at the fairground was excellent and there were plenty of newbies and young families joining the experienced caravan industry brigade .
Hermann Pfaff , president of organiser CIVD , described the visitor numbers as “ a very good result under the circumstances ”.
“ The fact that they include many newcomers and that the average age has come down markedly shows that we are experiencing an inflow of completely new customers . The success of the event , however , is not only measured by the attendance
Left : Plenty of courage was on display at Caravan Salon , as well as some great new products figures but above all by the sales deals concluded – and those were even higher than in the record year , across the board .”
Exhibitor feedback was also positive . “ After initial scepticism , we are overall very happy to have presented our products at this year ’ s Caravan Salon . Although the number of visitors was limited , our Hobby sales team was kept very busy . Even under these circumstances Caravan Salon proved a really nice tradefair ,” said Holger Schulz , MD at Hobby .
Dr Holger Siebert , MD at Eura Mobil GmbH and Trigano Deutschland KG , said : “ This Caravan Salon was special – we have held the first major tradefair in Germany in precarious times . The atmosphere was relaxed and positive ... Occupying 15,000sqm of exhibition space with 20 brands , the Trigano Group showed trust in the tradefair . All brands succeeded in increasing their sales .”
Bernd Wuschack , manager sales , marketing at the Carthago Group said the show called for a lot of courage . “ Courage on the part of Messe Düsseldorf , on the part of exhibitors and dealers as well as on the part of visitors . This courage has paid off for all parties : the audience behaved in a very disciplined and mindful manner , our specially developed exhibition concept with separate meeting islands met with a very positive response and the hygiene concept of Messe Düsseldorf was successful .”
Mike Reuer , MD at Westfalia Mobil GmbH , was also positive about the show : “ We are pleased we participated . In line with the hygiene concept there were fewer visitors touring the halls than in previous years – but we saw visitors with an increased interest in camper vans and buses . Direct sales to end users exceeded those posted in the previous year . Visitors were disciplined , wearing face masks and waiting at a distance to inspect the vehicles , which were placed
32 Issue 5 2020 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk