Outstanding BAU 2017 - New records once again!

For the first time ever, 80,000 of the more than 250,000 visitors who attended BAU 2017 were from abroad. As a result, BAU, the World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems, managed once again to make significant gains at the international level (2015: 72,000 visitors). With more than 65,000 visitors from architecture and planning offices, BAU managed yet again to solidify its reputation as a trade fair for architects. With a total of 2,120 exhibitors from 45 countries, it also set a new record for the number of exhibitors.Reinhard Pfeiffer, the Managing Director responsible for the fair, is pleased with the results: Once again, BAU has set a number of new records. In doing so, it has done an impressive job of demonstrating its position as a driving force behind innovation and a source of momentum to the construction industry. Dieter Schäfer, Chairman of the BAU Exhibitor Advisory Board, was also thrilled: From the exhibitors' perspective, BAU was a complete success. It rightfully bears the title ‘World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems. For Martin J. Hörmann, Deputy Chairman of the BAU Exhibitor Advisory Board, BAU is the industry highlight every two years. Once again, the Top 10 countries of visitor origin included three countries from outside the EU: Turkey (3,055 visitors/2015: 3,716), Russia (2,868/2015: 2,500) and China. The already large number of Chinese trade visitors increased once again (2,235 visitors/2015: 2,096) and China improved its ranking in the Top 10.During BAU, Messe München announced that it has acquired a majority share of FENESTRATION CHINA, China's most important trade fair for windows, doors and facades. As the future organizer of FENESTRATION BAU China, the fact that our key exhibitors have responded so positively to this news is extremely important, explained Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer. According to Cathy Peng, founder of FENESTRATION CHINA and future co-owner of the new FENESTRATION BAU China, combining FENESTRATION CHINA with segments from BAU and BAU Congress China is clearly a ‘win-win situation.’ The new joint platform FENESTRATION BAU China will take place for the first time in Shanghai from November 7 to 10, 2017. The merger has also allowed BAU to strengthen its position in China, the most important construction market in the world. Once again, neighboring countries Austria (11,520 visitors), Switzerland (5,243) and Italy (5,013) topped BAU's list of visitor countries. The list of countries with the largest increases in the number of visitors shows that awareness about BAU is growing, even outside Europe. They include South Korea (1,301 visitors/+42%), the USA (792 visitors/+40%) and India (803/+59%).BAU was founded in 1964, and in its more than 50 year history, it has developed into an internationally respected mega event. Everyone who made their way through the fair's 17 exhibition halls was left with that impression, explained Mirko Arend, Exhibition Director of BAU. The halls and exhibition stands were full from day one. As always, the halls were characterized by elaborately designed stand presentations—many two-stories high. The visitors that could be seen and heard at the stands came from around the world. The 2,120 exhibitors from 45 countries were well prepared. Many of them brought specially trained employees to BAU to better serve all the international guests. But even though BAU 2017 demanded complete dedication from its exhibitors, given all the new contacts, high-quality visitors and positive economic outlook, the atmosphere at the exhibition stands was outstanding. As in the past, exhibitors were pleased with the internationality, quality and diversity of the trade visitors. The clear tenor: BAU is in an exceptional position, and it is the industry's most important trade fair—both at home and abroad. BAU has proved more than ever that it is the leading international exhibition, underscored Thomas Lauritzen from Schüco. Werner Hansmann, CEO of Saint-Gobain Rigips, described his impression: There was a noticeable increase in the number of international contacts this year.While BAU is known for the quality of its exhibitors and their stand presentations, that applies all the more to its supporting program. As in the past, the three exhibition forums were popular attractions at this year's fair. They were located in the middle of the halls (C2, A4 and B0), so visitors could hear the industry's hot topics explained by independent experts from the architecture, research and industrial sectors as they walked by—and free of charge! Presentations revolved around the digitalization of planning and construction, modular serial construction and the topic of ‘smart’. The Forum in Hall B0 also had an additional focal point for practical solutions for restoring and modernizing buildings. Real Estate Industry Day and Universities Day were also held there.The exhibitors' presentations were accompanied by special shows on the main themes of BAU 2017 (Intelligent Facades—Digital Planning, Building and Operation—Networked Buildings—Building and Living 2020), covering various aspects and points of view. Once again, the Long Night of Architecture was a highlight of BAU. On Friday evening, more than 35,000 visitors wanted to experience 70 of Munich's buildings and architectural highlights while lighted up at night.The next BAU will feature two new halls when it takes place at the Messe München trade fair center from January 14 to 19, 2019. The trade-fair center will then have 200,000 square meters of exhibition space.