YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
“The mood in the exhibition halls was excellent. Our exhibitors were rushed off their feet by the currently big demand for new machinery and equipment, plants and materials. The exhibition took place at exactly the right time,” says Rolf Keller, Member of the Management Board of NürnbergMesse. 1,075 exhibitors, including 17per cent international companies, presented the complete range of products and services for green design, construction and maintenance.
The honorary sponsor, the Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e.V. (Federal Association of Horticulture, Landscaping & Sports Facilities Construction)of Bad Honnef, headed by President Hanns-Jürgen Redeker, is pleased about the exceptionally good response from exhibitors and visitors at the leading green exhibition. “The landscape sector has withstood the global economic crisis far better than many other sectors. The landscape gardeners have full order books and there is an immense demand for our green construction services. Our contractors have sourced information about innovations and trends here in Nürnberg and many of them have already made the decision to invest in new machinery and equipment. We are convinced that our sector’s revenues will top the record five-billion-euro mark this year for the first time!”
86 per cent involved in procurement decisions
The product spectrum is exactly right for 92per cent of the GaLaBau visitors. They come mainly from landscape contractors, are clients from the public sector or garden and landscape architects. The PLAYGROUND and Deutsche Golfplatztage (German Golf Course Days) segments also interest designers and operators of playgrounds and leisure facilities, operators and managers of golf courses, (head) greenkeepers and golf course architects. According to the results of a survey by an independent institute, 86 per cent of the visitors are involved in procurement decisions in their company.
Trade fair Statements - Exhibitors
Tilo Eichinger, eibe Produktion+Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG: “The recent GaLaBau 2010 Trade Fair, specialising in the Playground concept, cemented its position as one of Germany's leading trade fairs. Although visitor numbers in the Playground segment were down two years ago, the amount of foreign interest was clearly greater and the interest shown was qualitatively appealing.
The Bundesverband der Spielgeräte- und Freizeitanlagenhersteller (BSFH) (federal association for play equipment and leisure facilities manufacturer) presented both a strong sector as well as the association members professionally and explored the topic “Move@Chill” for teenagers. It is worth noting at this point that the Special Development Zone 2008, for the topic of senior citizens, openly conforms to a trend which offers a range of offers on all the different trade fair stands at this year’s GaLaBau. In addition, the European inter-trade organisation Federation of the European Play Industry (FEPI) held a meeting in the run-up to the trade fair which, again, highlighted the importance of GaLaBau.
For the organisation of our varied eibe stand, the collaboration with the Nuremberg trade fair is particularly emphasised.
The future development of our branch remains exciting as the current political discussions on further cutbacks of fringe benefits for the local authorities overshadow everyday life.
The topic of security on playgrounds and the area-wide coverage of playgrounds throughout the country - so that children and families have easy access to playgrounds and areas to exercise - continues to be a hot topic of discussion in this context.
A further focal point is the topic of obesity or children being overweight. There were inspiring items of play equipment with different options for exercise - which is a preventive measure against obesity. Clearly, the underlying tone is that playgrounds enhance the appeal and attractiveness of public space and, in view of both families and workers, definitely depicts an advantage of location for a region.
Conclusion: the trade fair gives you courage and hope for the future – looking forward to the next one in Nuremberg in two years.”
Michael Philipp, Obra Design Ing. Philipp Ges.m.b.H. & Co.KG: “We were completely satisfied with GaLaBau. The visitor numbers appeared to be lower than in 2008, but we got more concrete enquiries and contacts than two years ago. Our new generation-play equipment programme GenerActive generated special interest, particularly impressing local representatives.
Apart from numerous representatives from local authorities, particularly from southern Germany, we also had numerous international guests at our stand, especially from Eastern Europe and Asia. In contrast, planners and architects were not as strongly represented as they had been in previous years. We can only speculate as to the reason for this. Possibly, this group is less willing to visit trade fairs than previously, but now tend to get their information more from the internet or they are visited by external sales representatives.
What we are just establishing, as exhibitors of many years’ experience, is that Thursdays and Fridays are, by far, the most productive days. Wednesdays are fair and Saturdays are very poor. Advice to exhibition management would be to consider cutting the trade fair down to three days. A further proposal could be to close the specialist area “Playground” on Fridays, as mentioned above the typical groups of customers who tend to come on the Saturday either don’t visit the trade fair anymore (architects) or the playground sectors are less relevant for them as customers (GaLaBau participants).
Alternatively, you could offer a more comprehensive framework programme for exhibition management to get more architects to the trade fair again! We will be exhibiting again in 2012.”
Katrin Pogan Öcocolor GmbH & Co. KG: “Our envisaged target groups were reached. The communal decision-maker was represented at the trade fair. Other target groups could still be addressed by the exhibition management: for example, the housing enterprises. With regards visitor frequency, we noticed that the Wednesday and, particularly, the Saturday were rather poorly attended. On the Thursday and Friday the target groups were present. GaLaBau 2008 was good and the sector was brought closer to the GaLaBau trade fair. Perhaps, in view of this, we see GaLaBau 2010 as rather average. Because: manufacturers of rope play equipment were not represented, for instance. Nevertheless, GaLaBau remains the established trade fair. We will be there in 2012 too.”
Matthias Biek, Hags-mb-Spielidee GmbH: “This year’s GaLaBau Trade Fair is also, in our opinion, more than living up to expectations again. Because of multiple times I was told about the car parking situation at the trade fair, I calculate there must have been a high number of visitors. For this reason it becomes clear that the trade fair concept of GaLaBau is paying off for participants, even in difficult times.
Visitors are offered a wide spectrum relating to the topic of green, which, in addition, was crowned with numerous, interesting events of the exhibition management together with represented sector organisations.
Exhibitors can be glad about a flood of trade visitors and, likewise, have the chance to present their innovations and public relations. A clear trend appears to be emerging in the area of fitness equipment. Exercise courses for all age groups could be examined and tested in large numbers. With regard to the requests for material, you could clearly read the route here, the signals point out, to a surprisingly clear extent, stainless steel as the preferred material for these groups of equipment.
A further special eye-catcher at the Hags trade fair stand was - besides these items of fitness equipment - definitely the near-nature-designed climbing rocks with a total height of 3 meters which – without free-climbing handles - inspired both young and older climbers alike.
All in all, we at Hags-mb-Spielidee GmbH could only take positive stock from it and don’t want to ignore and not mention the organisation efforts in the run-up to and after the trade fair. The support from the trade fair team of GaLaBau was outstanding at all times.”
Ulrich Scheffler, Lappset Spiel-, Park-, Freizeitsysteme GmbH: “The good mood was clearly noticeable at the trade fair. With the good organisation and the appropriate general conditions of the Nuremberg trade fair, many new products and a very high number of visitors, it was another leap forwards for the Playground segment. However, we missed a couple of suppliers in the sector.
The GaLaBau trade fair is the most important trade fair in the playground industry. We use it for customer care and presented our classics from the Finno series as well as the Sound-Floor as its multi-functional, resounding expandability. We could also put forward our new programme as the fashion sport “Parkour”, which was received with much curiosity and interest. Furthermore, we used the opportunity to show our customers that we are not just specialists in playground equipment but can competently discuss and respond to queries relating to free space furniture and the area of outdoor fitness equipment.
In particular, the interest of international visitors should be highlighted. Our stand was a kind of international meeting point for delegations from more than 40 countries in which Lappset operates. So on our 40 year anniversary – we were able to greet many customers and colleagues from the different countries at our stand.
The trade fair presence was very successful for Lappset. The visitor numbers at the Lappset stand was very high on all days of the trade fair and had gone up in comparison to GaLaBau 2008. This was also due to our new products. We presented new play, sports and leisure equipment for all age groups and, as a result, had an all-encompassing trade fair appearance. For us it’s all about playing, fun and exercise – we would like to invite everyone outside to have a great time with our products. We would like to express this with our new slogan “we invite mankind outdoors!” GaLaBau has offered us a successful platform. We are glad to have made such a positive contribution to the overall success of the trade fair.”
Klaus-Peter Gust, SIK-Holzgestaltungs GmbH: “For us, it has become a nice tradition in the past two years to have visited GaLaBau in Nuremberg with our children’s play equipment, made from locust wood and designed using creative ideas. Our "energy machine" was spectacular. The topical displays of play spaces, such as the stories of Noah’s Ark, the knight’s castle or the pirate playground of 2006, obtained a new dimension via the playful presentation of the sustainable use of energy. At the forefront was the question of we get around energy. This means that children learn about energy directly and indirectly when playing. It was actually about the design of cognitive and awareness processes with playing children.
In our opinion the trade fair was very well attended. We encountered interested, cultured professional audiences. The discussions were mostly concrete and, to some extent, we were able to get right into the finer details. Our highly motivated trade fair team had a lot to do, but a lot of fun too over the four days.”
Eric Kunegel, Husson International: “GaLaBau is the number one trade fair in Germany for the company Husson. All visitors who came to our stand were either customers of our company, new visitors or potential importers from abroad. Interested visitors, in any case. The good organisation of the trade fair management really helps us. I hope that the level of quality is maintained in the coming years to allow us to be able to participate in the trade fair regularly.”
Jürgen Jeschke, BSW GmbH: “Although I got the impression that there were fewer visitors overall in hall 1 than there were two years ago, we got some very promising contacts, from abroad, too. The heavy domestic demand for our Regupol and playfix fall protection floors which we have registered this year, in 2010, appears to continuing into 2011. Our stand concept also certainly contributed to the success of the trade fair, whose essential elements were high-quality design and good positioning in connection to other exhibitors. Here, in consultation with other companies and the BSFH, we give the trade fair visitors a complete, descriptive presentation on the topics of fall protection and playgrounds. Therefore, we are wishing for even more exhibitors from the play equipment sector in the future for GaLaBau. If GaLaBau were to achieve this, they would cement their position as best trade fair for playground construction by fair. And we will be there again with total commitment.”
Ulrich Paulig, Ulrich Paulig & Co.: “We were very satisfied with the trade fair and it was a great success for us. Well it was our second appearance at the trade fair in Nuremberg and we are still “new”, so-to-speak. Some visitors recognised us again and many saw and met us for the first time so we were able to make many new contacts. We were also able to present our motor activity park elements really nicely with a small test track - they were very appealing.
Unfortunately, “busy Friday” wasn’t that well attended, as it was in the past - possibly a sign of the general economic situation in communities. The demand abroad was very satisfactory - very interesting discussions could be held here, from which potential new business connections could be initiated.
Consequently, we were very satisfied with the trade fair and our visit to the trade fair and will definitely try to be there again in two years.
However, it would be better if the motto of the trade fair could be communicated more effectively, which would, in turn, enable manufacturers to tailor their contribution accordingly. I’m sure that we weren’t the only ones not to have noticed much.”
Claus Spiegelbauer, Gummiwerk Kraiburg Relastec GmbH: “For a long time and after some attempts, the domain of children’s play equipment and accessory products competed for the title of “leading trade fair” in Europe for this sector. The trade fair concept “Playground” found favour at GaLaBau in 2008, and that year was met with a response of an even higher number of visitors and exhibitors. The trade fair GaLaBau was able to position itself effectively and has even further growth potential. The spectrum on offer is great and can appeal to a multitude of equally interested parties. Industry, trades people, architects and GaLaBau people found a completely balanced platform for visitors from the region, Germany and abroad. The Nuremberg Trade Fair is good in terms of transportation and comparatively easy to reach, offers clearly arranged, modern halls, with good access paths and parking places. Nuremberg as an old Fugger town also has a lot to offer after an exhausting day at the trade fair. For Kraiburg Relastec and its product area Euroflex fall protection flooring and products, presented at the trade fair with a fresh, modern, new trade fair stand. where it was important to present itself alongside existing and “new” competitors to both national and international audiences in a professional manner.”
Patrick Dubert, SOR: “The 19th GaLaBau international trade fair which takes place every two years this year incorporated the motto “Urban Greenery and Free Space – Plan - Maintenance + Playground” as well as “Inspiration for the future”. The leading trade fair did justice to its reputation. We as manufacturers of outdoor fitness equipment from weather-proof stainless steel for young and old alike were particularly happy about the main focal point of Playground and the associated rush of trade professionals. In addition, visitors were able to enjoy many technical seminars around the building – encircled by an excellent framework programme. With this kind of well-organised trade fair, we are already looking forward to the 20th GaLaBau in 2012.”
Trade Fair Statements – Visitors
Rudolf Zeevaert, town of Nuremberg: “As a citizen of Nuremberg, you of course have the home advantage of using the offer of GaLaBau intensively. It is an indispensible trade fair for specialist information and the exchange of information as well as a meeting point for the “Green Sector.”
The PLAYGROUND segment is, as before, still the most important exhibition in Germany in this industry, despite some of the famous companies not being present. You should just be careful that this leading position isn’t lost and the professional world also continues to get numerous impetuses and can find innovations.
Many interested trade professionals also found the way to the exercise park for all generations. One of them is located not far from the premises of the trade fair in the Langwasser district. Servicebetrieb Öffentlicher Raum (Service Company for public space) in Nuremburg won the German Play Area Prize in 2009 with this creation. Some ideas of these concepts found their origin at GaLaBau in 2008.
The town of Nuremburg benefited further from the planting of a climate grove, kicked off in connection to this year’s GaLaBau trade fair. In the lead-up to the trade fair, 23 trees were planted in the Volkspark Dutzendteich (Dutzendteich public park) (sponsored by exhibitors). The goal is to plant a total of 99 trees (the specific number is necessary to neutralise the annual CO2 emissions) as a sample area from different kinds to find out which ones, in particular, change the climate. Further sponsors are very welcome.”
Peter Bechert, town of Nuremberg: “As the person responsible for the maintenance/road safety of all public play equipment in the town of Nuremburg, hall 1 at GaLaBau was important for me. It means that there are different ways of having technical discussions, with the exhibitors present, relating to playground equipment, furniture and fall protection flooring, and always leading to random meetings with colleagues from other communities.
I also missed the lectures on offer this year (support programme) on the topic of playground, from which a comprehensive programme could be created from the areas of planning, construction, maintenance and safety! GaLaBau 2012 is definitely coming.”
Jens Zumblick, Berliner Seilfabrik GmbH & Co: “It was very pleasant to cross over the trade fair hall “just” as a visitor for once. There were many pleasant discussions and a couple of nice reunions with friendly colleagues from different companies from our small sector. Also, it was definitely useful to use the trade fair as a meeting point to meet some of our foreign partners. Otherwise there wasn’t much new to see. Our regrets of not being an exhibitor this time are kept within limits. However, we aren’t ruling out coming back again as an exhibitor in two years.”
The next GaLaBau takes place in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 12–15 September 2012.
