HANNOVER MESSE USA Set to Debut in Chicago at IMTS 2018

September 8, 2017

Deutsche Messe is gearing up to stage its first-ever HANNOVER MESSE in the U.S. market next year with HANNOVER MESSE USA, debuting Sept. 10-15 alongside IMTS 2018 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Similar to the annual HANNOVER MESSE in Hannover, Germany, the event will focus on industrial technology and is expected to attract an estimated 550 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors spanning approximately 130,000 square feet of exhibit space.

All of Deutsche Messe’s Chicago-based trade shows, IAMD USA, ComVac USA, Industrial Supply USA and Surface Technology USA, which the show producer has been running in Chicago since 2012, will now be clustered under HANNOVER MESSE USA brand at IMTS.

The four events draw in a wide range of audiences, including design engineers, manufacturing engineers, plant engineers, plant managers and plant operations decision makers who are scouting the latest innovations for use in finished products, as well as in plant automation and repair operations, according to Larry Turner, Hannover Fairs USA president and CEO.

“Attendees will see the full range of manufacturing technology solutions that is a primary synergy and one of the synergies we have seen with our last three co-locations with IMTS since 2012,” Turner said.

He continued, “Both IMTS and Hannover Messe USA exhibitors benefit from our in-hall, co-location that caters to attendees interested in a wide range of solutions. Many of the exhibitors in Hannover Messe USA also have customers that exhibit their products and solutions for plant operations at IMTS. As with Hannover Messe that takes place in Hannover, Germany, our North American trade shows also see a number of customers that exist within HM USA exhibitors. The exhibitors benefit from doing business with each other, as well as meeting with potential new clients that attend the combined IMTS / Hannover Messe USA events.”

Expected to attract more than 5,000 exhibitors and approximately 200,000 visitors when it kicks off April 23-27, the annual HANNOVER MESSE draws in CEOs of global corporations, managers of SMEs and industrial leaders from around the world wishing to stay current with the latest trends and developments in industrial digitalization.

The show’s prominent profile has helped it yield steady growth in its international exhibitor and visitor following. At this year’s event, more than half of HANNOVER MESSE’s exhibitors and approximately 70,000 visitors came from outside of Germany.

The intention is to create a similar impact with HANNOVER MESSE USA in the North American market, according to Deutsche Messe Managing Board Chairman Dr. Jochen Köckler.

“There is no other trade show brand like it anywhere in the world,” Köckler said. “We now want to leverage the power of the HANNOVER MESSE brand to speed up growth in our foreign markets. Therefore, we are premiering HANNOVER MESSE USA co-located with IMTS September 2018 in Chicago.”

Internationalizing its German-grown trade show brands is a strategy Deutsche Messe has been pursuing for many years. As a result, the 70-year-old trade fair organizer now stages about 60 events outside of Germany every year.

The majority of these events are industrial trade shows focused on specific sectors including industrial robotics, factory automation, energy technology and industrial supply.

“As a brand, HANNOVER MESSE has been steadily adding to its acclaim in the U.S. market, in part thanks to the country’s Partner Country showcase in 2016 – a momentous event attended by President Barack Obama,” Köckler said.

He continued, “By launching HANNOVER MESSE on U.S. soil, we hope to attract even more exhibitors and visitors to Chicago while also generating positive spin-off effects for HANNOVER MESSE at its home base in Hannover, Germany.”

To learn more about HANNOVER MESSE USA go here.

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Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? 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As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. 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Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.