back AMITEC 2007 a resounding success: record attendance, more visitors, more international interest, satisfied exhibitors (News from: 09/18/2007) AMITEC was held for the tenth time from 14-18 April 2007 - and was distinguished by record numbers of exhibitors and visitors, a healthy business climate, and hence very satisfied exhibitors and trade visitors. A total of 50,100 trade visitors (600 more than in 2006) came to the Leipzig Trade Fair’s exhibition centre to see the range of goods and services displayed by 276 exhibitors from 12 countries. “The expansion of AMITEC was impressively demonstrated by the 20,000-square-metre Hall 2 being fully booked for the first time and the number of trade visitors exceeding the 50,000 mark for the second time,” announced Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of the Leipzig Trade Fair. The proportion of foreign trade visitors rose this year to 12.1% (up from just 8.4% in 2006). “Apart from the greater international interest, AMITEC’s appeal throughout Germany has also grown, with about two thirds of trade visitors (2006: 59%) travelling more than 100km to Leipzig,” explained AMITEC project director Matthias Kober. He underlined that for 55% of the trade visitors, AMITEC was the only trade show they visited. According to Kober, 96% of the trade visitors felt their aims were achieved. As a result, 94% said they would definitely be attending AMITEC 2008, while 97% reported they would be recommending the show to their personal acquaintances. Michael Gernat, sales manager at Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, was very satisfied with the type of visitors: “We are especially glad that more and more decision-makers are attending AMITEC.” In fact the proportion of decision-makers rose from 67.5% in 2006 to 78% this year. Forty per cent of the trade visitors declared they were definitely planning to carry out investment on the basis of discussions held during AMITEC, while the ‘maybes’ accounted for another 45%. In the view of trade visitors, the most important areas covered this year were vehicle components, workshop equipment, services for the vehicle industry, and vehicle maintenance and care. The acclaimed special show on chassis construction techniques past and present generated keen interest, being seen by 79% of trade visitors. 92% of exhibitors to return in 2008 The exhibitors were also satisfied with how AMITEC 2007 went. Even before it was over, more than 90% declared they would be returning in 2008. According to a representative survey conducted by Leipzig Institute of Market Research, 79% of the exhibitors achieved their goals at AMITEC. Seventy-three per cent were pleased with the number of visitors, and two thirds of the exhibitors rated the level of trade visitors as ranging from satisfactory to very good. During the show, deals were signed by two thirds of the exhibitors - 4% more than in the previous year - while 79% anticipated good post-show business. “This is a clear indication of the growing willingness to invest in the automotive industry,” stated Volker Lange, President of the VDIK German Association of International Vehicle Manufacturers and chairman of the AMITEC advisory board. The growth in international interest was also reflected in exhibitors’ appraisals. Forty-four per cent of the exhibitors held talks with visitors from Poland, 39% with guests from the Czech Republic, and 45% with trade visitors from other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The success of AMITEC was confirmed by Norbert Kraft, CEO of the MAKRA Group: “AMITEC has developed positively. We’re almost part of the furniture here! And next year our stand will be even bigger.” Successful AMITEC debuts: Valeo and walter services “The importance of AMITEC has grown increasingly over the past few years. And that’s why we finally decided to have our own stand this year,” explained Damien Germès, CEO of Valeo Service Deutschland GmbH. “In a nutshell, Valeo’s presence at AMITEC 2007 was a categorical success!” Dr Holger Linke, Vice President Sales of walter services TeleMedien GmbH, has also kept his diary free for AMITEC 2008. “Our debut at AMITEC was a triumph. We held successful discussions and met other firms keen to cooperate with us,” he stated. “We’ll definitely be back!” First-rate specialist programme The first-ever conference held at AMITEC was devoted to troubleshooting in automotive electronics. Organized by trade publication KRAFTHAND in conjunction with the ika Institute of Automotive Engineering at Aachen University of Technology, it was booked up. At the conference, automotive experts and diagnosis specialists discussed the ways in which diagnosis meltdown can be avoided. Another debut at AMITEC was the amz + KfzMeisterService forum ‘Prima Klima’ on 14 April 2007. Air conditioning and marketing specialists attending the workshop ‘Technology in dialogue: aircon technology - aircon servicing - aircon marketing’ debated issues such as technical trends in the repair of air conditioning systems in vehicles and gave advice on professional aircon servicing. The BERNER commercial practice seminar, which this year was entitled ‘Does selling and servicing different brands guarantee full order books?’ met with a good response. In addition, a total of 13 papers, presentations and discussion rounds on practical aspects of running garages were held during AMITEC at the specialist forum. And the winner is ... Once again, several prizes were awarded at AMITEC 2007, including the Word and Workshop Prize for journalism, which was presented for the second time. It was garnered by Peter Diehl for his article ‘Better without rubber’, which was chosen from 27 entries - twice as many as last year. Another accolade awarded for the second time was the Innovation Prize in the Used Car Business. It was presented by trade publication Gebrauchtwagen Praxis for the best ideas in selling second-hand cars in the categories product, service and strategy. For the fifth time, AMITEC was the stage for the presentation of the Sales Award, with trade magazines kfz-betrieb and Gebrauchtwagenpraxis seeking the car showroom with the best, most customer-friendly sales strategies with good prospects. This year’s winner was Robert Kunzmann GmbH & Co. KG from Aschaffenburg in north-west Bavaria. AMITEC will next be held at the Leipzig Trade Fair’s exhibition centre from 5–9 April 2008. Contact for the press: Linda Brandt Phone: +49 (0) 341 / 6 78 - 81 98 Fax: +49 (0) 341 / 6 78 - 81 82 e-mail: l.brandt@leipziger-messe.de Internet: