November 29, 2018 - Deutsche Messe announced in Hannover that it is streamlining its event portfolio: it will integrate CEBIT's industry-related topics into HANNOVER MESSE while also developing additional CEBIT topics into specialist events for decision-makers from vertical industries. The realignment is due to reduced space bookings for CEBIT 2019.
Technological developments within the digital economy have reduced demand for horizontal tradeshows such as CEBIT in recent years. Digitalization's impact is particularly evident in the industrial application industries. As such, many of CEBIT's traditional core exhibitors have turned to events targeting these industries to generate new business.
"In recent years, many discussions within the German industry have involved the thematic overlap between HANNOVER MESSE and CEBIT. It is now time to integrate the topics from CEBIT that are relevant for manufacturing, energy and logistics into HANNOVER MESSE ," said Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG. "We are currently examining the digital market to determine which remaining CEBIT topics we will develop into new events."
Deutsche Messe will cancel CEBIT 2019 because of declining visitor numbers and a continuing reduction in space bookings. The latest CEBIT concept consisted of an exhibition, conference and festival.
Deutsche Messe does not expect direct effects from the streamlining, having already adjusted CEBIT's role in and economic contribution to the events portfolio in recent years.