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AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair
Industry, reports stronger growth for the German
trade fair industry in 2015 than in the previous year.
Based on preliminary calculations of AUMA –
respective to previous events – around 1.5% more
exhibitors took part at the 164 international and
national trade fairs in Germany in 2015. The rate of
growth in the numbers of exhibitors thus held steady
at the prior-year level. The number of exhibitors grew
at an above-average rate once more, by nearly 4%.
The numbers of visitors was up more steeply than in
the previous year (0.3%) and averaged 2% higher
– in spite of numerous strikes in the transport sector.
Bookings of exhibition space also grew at 1.5%,
which was considerably higher than the previous
year’s growth (0.3%).
The number of outbound fairs by German trade fair
organisers continues to grow steadily. The number
increased significantly in 2014 (2013: 277, 2014:
306) and increased in 2015, albeit less steeply, to
315. AUMA expects a further increase in 2016, to
319 outbound trade fairs. The regional focus remains
on South, East and Central Asia, followed by the
non-EU countries of Europe.
AUMA forecasts growth on a similar order of
magnitude in exhibitors, visitors and area figures for
2016. A survey by AUMA within the framework of
the association survey of the Institut der Deutschen
Wirtschaft (IW) also found that trade fair organisers
expected overall sales for domestic and outbound
business, adjusted for cyclical effects in fair pro-
grammes, that were slightly higher than the result
for 2015.
A. General macroeconomic conditions
B. Industry conditions
The global economic trend in 2015 was not
dynamic. Based on an assessment by the German
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
(BMWi), it was particularly the slowed expansion in
emerging markets that contributed to this develop-
ment. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
calculated global economic growth of 3.1% for
2015, a figure 0.4 percentage points lower than
forecast a year ago. For 2016 and 2017, the IMF
expects an increase of 3.4% and 3.6% respectively.
The IMF forecasts slight growth for the Eurozone.
Following economic growth of 1.5% in 2015, it
predicts an increase of 1.7% for 2016. At 4.0%, in
2015 the economies of the developing and emerging
countries grew less than the IMF had forecast
(4.3%). It thus stands at its lowest point since the
financial crisis of 2008/2009. The Fund predicts an
increase of around 4.3% for 2016, and of some
4.7% in 2017.
According to the German Federal Statistical Office,
the economic situation in Germany in 2015 was
characterised by solid and steady economic growth.
With a plus of 0.3% in each of the third and fourth
quarters and 0.4% in each of the first two quarters,
the average increase for 2015 on the whole stands
at 1.4%. The Statistical Office reported positive
impulses coming particularly from the domestic
market: The state increased its consumption outlays
significantly by 1.0%, and household spending rose
again slightly, by 0.2%. The trend in investments,
particularly in buildings, was positive. According to
the Annual Economic Report 2016 completed on 27
January 2016, the German federal government
expects growth in gross domestic product of around
1.7% during the fiscal year currently under way. The
IMF predicts economic growth in Germany of 1.7%
each year in 2016 and 2017.
01. General macroeconomic and industry conditions
II. Economy Report