The number of visitors to the Ligna wood technology show in Hannover last week was down, but the organisers said that those that did attend were more serious buyers and spent more on goods and services from the exhibitors.
The event, billed as the world’s leading trade fair for the forestry and wood industries, attracted about 100,000 visitors, down from 114,169 in 2001. Attendance from abroad was up from 40,758 two years ago to 43,500 this year.
Some 1,721 exhibitors were at the show, including 877 companies from abroad, compared with 1,933 at the previous show.
Organisers Deutsche Messe AG and the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association said the show “exceeded all expectations”, considering the unusually difficult circumstances surrounding the event – a worldwide economic slump, terrorist warnings and the ongoing SARS threat.
