Germany: Hamburg Messe and EWEA team up for added value

Simultaneous conduct of the two major international mega-events for the wind industry makes Hamburg the world’s wind powerhouse – WindEnergy Hamburg as the leading global trade fair for wind energy, and the Annual Conference of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) will continue to be held in parallel beyond the year 2016, that is in the even-numbered years. That was announced today by the CEOs of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) and EWEA. The EWEA Conference hosts political and scientific discussions at international level, while WindEnergy Hamburg is a showcase for the major players in the global wind industry with their innovative products.

EWEA thus specifies a fixed venue for its Annual Conference in even-numbered years for the first time. The Agreement covers the period up to 2020, with an option for further cooperation in hosting a fourth event in 2020. While EWEA focuses fully on the conference, WindEnergy Hamburg will continue to focus on the trade fair. Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC), said: “The ?convergence of expertise here is unmatched anywhere in the world for the companies engaged internationally in the wind industry. It is highly attractive for both exhibitors and visitors, enabling them to attend the only global wind energy expo with its outstanding business opportunities and also the Conference with its coverage of the latest industry topics.”

Giles Dickson, Chief Executive Officer of the European Wind Energy Association, said: “We are delighted to have signed a long-term agreement with HMC. We are confident that this will provide certainty and long-term visibility to our sector on the location for future events. It will also ensure that Hamburg remains a capital for the global wind industry in the years to come.”

WindEnergy Hamburg, hosted by HMC. will be held for the second time, from 27 to 30 September 2016. Following its successful debut in 2014, the Hamburg Fair site will again be the meeting point for decision makers in the energy industry worldwide. WindEnergy Hamburg gives the global industry the ideal platform for dialogue and business, and for presentation of innovations and services – at the top location in Germany, the technology leader in the industry. It reflects the innovative power and dynamism of the wind industry in the key markets of today and tomorrow.

For the first time, the EWEA Annual Conference will be held in parallel at the Congress Center Hamburg, which is right next to the trade fair site with the world’s leading wind industry expo. The EWEA Conference is the largest meeting for the wind industry, and is regarded by the leading experts of the European wind sector as the most important meeting point for discussion of strategies and political conditions for wind power in Europe.

Hamburg’s Economics Senator Frank Horch explicitly welcomed the Agreement, saying “Both of these key events for the global wind industry will be held in Hamburg from now on – underscoring the international significance of Hamburg and North Germany as a competence centre for wind energy. The outstanding cooperation between Hamburg Messe and EWEA will have a positive impact on this dynamic business location. At the same time, Hamburg as the wind energy capital, and Schleswig-Holstein in cooperative partnership, are providing valuable inputs to the global industry, with exemplary projects such as “Showcase for the German Energy Transition – NEW 4.0”.

Peter Becker, CEO of Messe Husum, is also delighted that the EWEA Annual Conference will be held here, keeping North Germany in the spotlight as a key driver for the wind energy market. The holding of the EWEA Annual Conference in combination with WindEnergy Hamburg from 2016 means that the global wind industry will be looking to North Germany, and giving this industry special attention. In 2017 HUSUM Wind will also be held here again, as the most important trade fair for the German speaking area. That likewise strengthens our wind region in the North of Germany.”