"For Hanover, the end of the Cebit is a disaster" | NDR.de – News – Lower Saxony

Stand: 28.11.2018 18:16 pm

It used to be the biggest computer show in the world, then its success faded and the Cebit located in Hannover. NDR.de has spoken with Georg Schnurer, deputy editor of the IT magazine c & # 39; t Hanover.

Mr Schnurer, what does the end of Cebit mean for the IT sector?

Georg Schnurer: The end of Cebit can certainly cope with the computer industry. The fair lost its role as a central market for hardware, software and services several years ago. Notably because of the constant evolution of the Messe AG concept, entrepreneurs and customers have already found other fairs and conferences to exchange their views. Nevertheless, it is of course a shame that the Cebit – even in 2018, the largest computer show in the world – is now buried.

Deutsche Messe AG intends to transfer in the future "digital topics related to the industry" at Hannover Messe. For the rest, "the best events in terms of content must be developed". What to keep

Schnurer: Some parts of the Cebit can certainly be well integrated with the Hannover Messe – the computer is now an integral part of the industry. However, it is questionable whether Messe AG will be able to organize new specialized events. After all, there are already many well-established industry events and conferences. The need for new fairs is rather low.

Turning the show into an event was the last attempt – without success – to get Cebit back on track. Would there have been alternatives?

Schnurer: Of course. However, the Cebit is already on a roll for years: sometimes, the Cebit should be a purely professional event, then it should reopen for end customers. Such a Rumeière is not suitable for exhibitors or visitors. In addition, Cebit missed for years its chance to be the central exchange place for all things computer. Instead, attempts have been made to exclude industries and visitors.

It started in 1996 when Cebit Home wanted to create a new platform for the growing games sector. Suddenly, exhibitors with entertainment value are no longer welcome at Cebit. It was supposed to be calm and dignified on the fair grounds – while the huge area of ​​Hanover would offer the opportunity to establish a place for both worlds. But by 2018, it was already too late: the Gamescom had been created, IFA had managed to integrate not only the consumer electronics, but also other industries related to the consumer. In addition, many high-profile events are currently taking place, such as Itsa in Nuremberg or SecIT in Hanover, on the verge of turning to the security sector. Or Embedded World or Elektronica for developers in the automation industry. The list could be pursued arbitrarily – there is little room for other "big" events and formats.

What does the end of Cebit mean for Hanover as an exhibition site?

Schnurer: For Hanover, the end of the Cebit is a disaster. Apart from the Hannover fair, there is now no event that can play in the whole area. One can therefore wonder if it is still possible to maintain such a large exhibition center. I'm counting on Messe AG to sell parts of the site sooner or later. The loss of Cebit has of course other consequences for the city: no major event attracts visitors to Hanover. Hotels, restaurants and shops will feel the loss of the sales fair.

Where will the exhibitors who kept the fidelity to the cebit go to the end?

Schnurer: Many exhibitors will probably say goodbye at the show. Many companies should instead invest more in their visibility on the Internet and in social media. Some former Cebit exhibitors will also be heading to other well-established trade shows. For the hardware industry, for example, the Computex Taipei, which is now, after the closure of Cebit, the largest computer show in the world. Others could be in good hands at the IFA or the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. There are now enough smaller events for the computer industry.