Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Germany is the world's top location for trade shows, including some in sectors that may interest Wisconsin companies.

The world’s top location for trade shows, Germany hosts about 150 international trade fairs a year, attracting up to 170,000 exhibitors and up to 10 million visitors annually. These visitors and exhibitors spend $13.4 billion annually, boosting economic output by $26.2 billion. The Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (www.auma.de) has a database that lists all shows and allows for searching by year, sector and keyword. The following upcoming shows may be of interest to Wisconsin businesses:

Aerospace: AERO Friedrichshafen (http://www.aero-expo.com, April 2017) is an international trade show dedicated to general aviation. Even larger is the ILA Berlin Air Show (ILA Berlin), taking place in 2018.

Health care: MEDICA (MEDICA, Nov. 14-17, 2016) is the world's leading forum for in- and outpatient medicine.

Energy: New Energy Husum (New Energy, March 2017) presents technologies such as wind turbines, photovoltaics and solar heating. E-World Energy and Water (E-World Energy and Water, February 2017) focuses on energy supply solutions. Wind Energy Hamburg (Wind Energy Hamburg, Sept. 27-30, 2016), GeoTHERM (GeoTHERM, February 2017) and Intersolar (intersolar, May 2017) focus on specific renewable sources.

Food and beverage: International Green Week (Grune Woche, January 2017) is an exhibition for the food, agricultural and horticultural sectors. Another interesting show is Anuga (Anuga, October 2017). Prowein (PROWEIN, March 2017) is the world’s leading trade fair for wine and spirits.

Smart industry, manufacturing, energy: Hannover Messe (Hannover Messe, April 2017) is the world's largest industrial fair. Key technologies and core areas of industry from research and development, industrial automation, information technology, industrial supply, production, energy and mobility are presented.

Water technology: Held every two years, Wasser Berlin International (Wasser Berlin International, March 2017) features solutions for the water management sector.

Wisconsin’s trade representative for Germany can help you to set up business meetings at your desired fair at special rates.