Seatrade Europe 2007 goes from strength to strength
Today, 25 September, Seatrade Europe opens its doors for the fourth time. From 25 to 27 September, 270 exhibitors from over 50 countries will showcase their latest products and services for the cruise, ferry and rivercruise industries. Exhibitors will be out in force from the following sectors: ports and destinations, tour operators, interior designers, food and beverage providers, ship suppliers, shipyards, technology companies and classification societies, amongst others. “Many of the companies exhibiting this year at Seatrade Europe hold worldwide leadership positions in their fields,“ says Christopher Hayman, Managing Director of Seatrade. At the conference over 50 leading industry speakers will share the knowledge about the latest trends and developments in these vibrant, continuously changing sectors.
Record number of exhibitors, delegates and visitors
The organisers, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH and Seatrade, UK publishing house and maritime events organiser, are delighted about the expansion of Seatrade Europe. In September 2006, both companies established a close cooperation agreement for the organisation of Seatrade Europe. This ensures that Europe’s leading maritime leisure event will remain in Hamburg. This cooperation has already had a major impact on the event: the exhibition space has been doubled compared to 2005, the number of exhibitors has grown by over 100 per cent and the event has been extended by half a day, resulting in the potential of more visitors. “With the new 7000 square metre exhibition hall we haven the best possible conditions to establish a key event in the maritime segment”, said Bernd Aufderheide, Chairman of the management board of Hamburg Messe und Congress during the events opening press conference.
New segment set to flourish at this year’s event
The organisers of Seatrade Europe have seen more exhibitors from the hotel and catering/food and beverage sectors confirming their attendance than ever before. The organisers are predicting high growth in this segment.
It’s no secret that the cruise industry is booming, as Michael Thamm, President of AIDA Cruises confirms. He predicts double figure growth over forthcoming years. “We now have the growth and are working towards a long a prosperous future, cruise shipping is now in then hands of the people.”
The future of the cruise industry has also been shown by Susan Hooper, Senior Vice Chair of the European Cruise Council and Vice President, Managing Director EMEA Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, during the opening press conference. The fleet of Royal Caribbean includes the worlds largest cruise ship “Freedom of the Seas” which is 339 metres long and has a capacity of 4,370 passengers. Hooper said that plans are also under way for cruise ships with a capacity of 8,400 passengers and a length of over 500 metres. Whether and when such a giant ship starts operating is still written in the stars.
Seatrade Europe will see the inaugural presentation of the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards, principal sponsor Fidelio Cruise. Awards will be presented in the following categories: port of the year, destination of the year, supplier of the year, environmental initiative of the year (sponsored by Port of Dover), innovation in food and beverage/ hotel operations, sea-going employee of the year and Seatrade European cruise personality of the year. The ceremony will take place on 25 September at the Schmidt’s Tivoli.
Seatrade Europe is open on 25 and 26 September from 1000 to 1800 and on 27 September from 1000 to 1400. Entrance is for trade visitors only.
Press Contacts:
Seatrade
Contact: Denise Turner
Phone: +44 (0)1206 545121
Fax: +44 (0)1206 5451290
Email: dturner@seatrade-global.com
www.seatrade-europe.com
Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH
Contact: Uta Westermann
Phone: +49 (0)40 35 69 2444
Fax: +49 (0)40 35 69 2180
Email: uta.westermann@hamburg-messe.de
www.hamburg-messe.com
BONUM news + marketing
Contact: Annette Krüger, Behrend Oldenburg
Phone: +49 (0)40 69 79 63 80
Fax: +49 (0)40 69 79 63 88
Email: info@bonum.net
Internet: www.bonum.net