Here at National Driller HQ, we’re preparing to go to Bauma 2019, one of the biggest construction trade shows in the world. How? Well, we have some ideas, but we also want to hear from you.
Bauma, for those who don’t know, is an every-third-year event that bills itself as the “world’s leading trade fair for construction, building materials and mining machinery, construction vehicles and equipment.” How big is it? The 2016 event featured almost 3,500 exhibitors from dozens of countries and attracted more than 500,000 visitors over the course of a week. The 2019 event, held April 8-14, is on track to top that. The most recent numbers I have: about 100 more exhibitors than last time, with expected crowds of about 600,000 visitors.
“The industry is booming, which is also reflected in the growth of Bauma,” says Klaus Dittrich, chairman and CEO of Messe München, which organizes the show and related events in India, China, South Africa and elsewhere. “We’ve taken account of the rise in demand and expanded our site in eastern Munich to 614,000 square meters. Our aim is to offer a platform to as many exhibitors as possible. With Bauma 2019, we continue to surpass ourselves — also digitally.”
This year’s event will include virtual and augmented reality (AR) components, in addition to almost 100,000 square feet of new physical exhibit space (for a total of almost a quarter square mile). Organizers say the AR options will allow customers to connect with exhibitors in new and different ways.
It’s massive. So how does a small, focused crew — and by “crew,” I mean “me.” — cover this huge event? As I said earlier, I have some ideas. But we also want to hear from readers. I’m a pretty resourceful guy, so challenge me. Do you want videos? Lots of photos of the latest foundations and geotechnical drilling rigs? Interviews with folks from this company or that company? This is your chance to help us steer coverage.
Not all of the hundreds of exhibitors will interest National Driller readers, and that’s fine. But the number of foundations, piling, geotechnical, general equipment and tooling exhibitors that my readers would find interesting likely numbers in the hundreds. That’s where you come in. Is there a manufacturer you want to know more about? Have you read about a rig that’s only available in the European Union, but is soon coming to U.S. shores? Is there a foundations methodology that hasn’t quite caught on in the U.S. (but is in use elsewhere) that you want to know more about?
The list of exhibitors for 2019 includes Atlas Copco, Bauer Group companies, Casagrande, Comacchio, CZM Foundation Equipment, Ditch Witch, Fraste, Liebherr, Rockmore International, Soilmec, TEI Rock Drills, Vermeer and many others. There’s bound to be something to interest you. So, talk to me, readers. Getting to go to Germany is a treat for National Driller. The least we can do is give our readers the coverage they want to see.
Stay safe out there, drillers.
