Full closing report

Citation

(2005), "Full closing report", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 52 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2005.12852fac.001

Full closing report

Full closing report

Keywords: Conferences, Coatings technology

European Coatings Show 2005 plus adhesives, sealants, construction chemicals

Bigger than ever with 687 (2003: 646) exhibitors and 19,886 trade visitors (2003: 16,229)[1], the European Coatings Show 2005 plus adhesives, sealants, construction chemicals captivated international producers of coatings, printing inks, adhesives and construction chemicals and their suppliers in Nürnberg. Many technical innovations were presented in the exhibition halls and at the congresses in the new congress centre CCN Ost from 25-28 April 2005. Well-known representatives from universities, associations and institutes discussed the latest trends with the worldwide industry.

The international share has also clearly increased and the exhibition can now claim to be a global economic indicator for the industries represented. The share of foreign exhibitors has grown substantially to a good 57 per cent (2003: 51 per cent), and there was also definite growth in the number of international visitors and congress participants (56 per cent). “The European Coatings Show has impressively extended its leading international role”, say a delighted Esther Schwencke, Head of Events Division at Vincentz Network, and Richard Krowoza, Project Manager at NürnbergMesse, the two event partners of the European Coatings Show.

Congresses at the European Coatings Show: forum for specialists

Altogether 836 experts (2003: 701) from 46 countries used the six congresses in the new Nürnberg congress centre CCN Ost to update on developments and innovations in raw materials and production equipment. Information for specific target groups was offered at the eighth Nürnberg Congress and at the other events like Stick! – Fourth European Congress on Adhesive and Sealant Raw Materials, the Fifth European Congress on Construction Chemicals, the Ink Makers' Forum, the Third Workshop on Production Technology and the Purchasers' Day. More than 150 scientists from all over the world informed their audience about the latest research findings and answered practical questions. “The rooms were excellent and the organization of the congresses well thought out”, according to Damian Baxendale, Technical Sales Manager, Christeyns, Great Britain.

Norbert Steidl, Head of Flooring and Coating, Degussa, Germany, directed his attention mainly to new markets: “Overall, the congress was convincing. It was especially interesting to find out more about the growth potential of construction chemicals in Eastern Europe and Asia”. This year, an India Reception was organized as information forum and meeting-point for the first time in addition to the already established East European Reception. Experts from the respective regions presented background information and co-operation partners for the many interested participants at both receptions.

Prize-winning innovations: European Coatings Award 2005

Another highlight was the presentation of the European Coatings Award, which went to the best paper at the congress in the opinion of the jury. The selection criteria for the research award included requirements such as innovative, scientific, clearly presented, of far- reaching interest, and industrially relevant. The winner of the European Coatings Award 2005 was Frederick Walker of Air Products and Chemicals, USA.

Hardly any other issue currently stirs up emotions in the coatings industry more than the pending reform of the chemical law in Europe. For this reason, a separate question and information forum on the new EU chemical policy was offered for the first time at the European Coatings Show 2005. Experts from CEPE were available to provide information for all visitors at the Reach Info Point. “I am delighted with the large attendance; the industry is showing signs of liveliness. The Reach Info Point received many visitors”, says Jan van der Meulen, CEPE Managing Director.

Complete global range

Six hundred and eighty seven exhibitors (2003: 646) from 36 countries (2003: 35) showed their range of products and services at the European Coatings Show 2005. The leading exhibitor nations after Germany were Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium from Europe and the People's Republic of China, the USA and India from overseas.

The high innovative power of the exhibiting companies was reflected by the fact that over 80 per cent presented new or improved products in Nürnberg in 2005. The exhibitors accordingly rated the visitor response as encouraging: nine out of ten exhibitors were satisfied with the number of visitors to their stand. The exhibitors assessed the qualifications and competence of practically all trade visitors as very high. Well over 90 per cent of all exhibitors reached their key target groups at the exhibition. Over 95 per cent made new business connections during talks on the stand and 89 per cent expect follow-up business as a result of the European Coatings Show 2005. “The ECS is the ideal platform for us to present our new name to customers”, says Egbert Brinkman, Key Account Manager Coating Resins Europe, Nuplex Resins, Netherlands, for example. “I am very satisfied with the exhibition. All the raw material suppliers are represented here and one can source comprehensive information about current issues”.

The overall success of exhibiting at the European Coatings Show 2005 is undisputed for almost all exhibitors. Over 90 per cent of the companies interviewed said the European Coatings Show is of great importance as part of their marketing and sales activities and in comparison with other trade fairs with similar themes. On the last day of the exhibition, over 80 per cent of the exhibitors had already decided they would be there again at the next European Coatings Show.

The trade visitors: professionals from all over the world

With 19,886 trade visitors from 87 countries (2003: 85), the European Coatings Show 2005 registered a suspected record of 23 per cent more visitors and congress participants than two years ago (2003: 16,229). The international share rose by five percentage points over the previous event to reach 56 per cent.

A glance at the structure of the visitors shows that both the quality and the quantity were right: Most of the visitors[2] came from the production industry, especially from the production of paints and coatings (42 per cent), raw materials (18 per cent), adhesives (11 per cent), construction chemicals (10 per cent) and printing inks (8 per cent).

The European Coatings Show was also attractive for processors of coatings and paints (10 per cent), adhesives (5 per cent) and construction chemicals (4 per cent). Over 40 per cent of the trade visitors at the European Coatings Show work in the research, development or design department of their company and there were also many members of management (20 per cent) and employees from manufacturing and production (13 per cent), quality control (10 per cent) and purchasing (11 per cent). Nine out of ten trade visitors at the European Coatings Show 2005 are involved in purchasing and procurement decisions in their company and almost one-third decisively influence these decisions. Three- quarters of the visitors felt that their visit to the exhibition would inspire them to use the new products and services shown here in their daily work.

Ninety-eight per cent of the trade visitors were satisfied with the products, information possibilities, organization and service at the European Coatings Show 2005, and more than half of them do not even visit any other trade fair on these themes. “I'm here because the European Coatings Show is the world's best event for the coatings industry. Now is the best time for new co- operations. I am staying here for three days to look for new contacts and products”, says Jim Devine, Director Devine Chemicals Ltd, Great Britain, representing many opinions at the European Coatings Show 2005.

The next European Coatings Show plus Adhesives, Sealants, Construction Chemicals takes place as usual in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 8- 10 May 2007 (congresses from 7 May 2007).

Notes 1. The figures for exhibitors and visitors are checked and certified by the Society for Voluntary and Independent Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (FKM), Berlin.2. Multiple answers possible.