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| BAU attracted a record number of visitors  Over 209,000 trade visitors came to BAU 2007, the world´s biggest trade fair for building materials, to find out about the products and services of 2,046 exhibitors from 44 countries. Visitors from all over the world made the journey to Munich, despite the severe storm raging over northern Europe. For the first time in its over 40-year history BAU surpassed the 200,000 mark for visitor numbers. Over 36,000 trade visitors – more than ever before – came from abroad. This represents a leap of 20% in the proportion of international visitors attending the fair. The number of countries of origin spanned by the visitors also set a new record, at 143. Particularly strong growth was seen in visitor numbers from eastern and southeastern Europe.The visitor survey showed clearly that BAU 2007 reached even more architects, planners and construction engineers than before. The proportion of visitors falling into this category was 18% (2005: 15%), which corresponds to around 36,000 visitors. 88% (84%) of the visitors described themselves as 'decision-makers'. The number of first-time visitors rose sharply (41% / 2005: 31%). So, too, did the number of repeat visitors (32% / 23%). The survey also revealed that more and more visitors – in 2007 almost one third – are spending several days at BAU. Energy-efficient building and renovations and modernisation were the big themes at BAU 2007. At almost all stands products and technologies were presented which would help save energy or which were specially developed for R&M work. A real magnet for visitors to the fair were the forums 'Clima Design meets Visions of Glass' and 'Macroarchitecture'. The lounges resembled crowded university lecture halls. Topics on the programme included sustainable building, transparent building skins, new materials and surfaces and the use of glass in construction. Leading representatives from industry and architecture used the forums to exchange knowledge and experience. Special forums were also set up on IT for construction, solar horizons and urban design, each with a daily lecture programme. The special displays on lifts and escalators, solar horizons and urban design met with an excellent response. Again this year, BAU was chosen as the venue for many awards ceremonies, among them that of the renowned architectural prizes 'Aesthetics and Construction', presented in collaboration with the trade journal DETAIL, and the '1:1 Award for the First House', presented in cooperation with Bauwelt. Presented for the first time this year were the 'Archi-Students-Creative Awards'. Taking part in this ceremony, which was associated with a congress, were around 500 students from across Europe. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Construction News :: home page |