The PMRExpo 2019 was a top worldwide event with global reach: on 26-28 November 2019, more than 230 national and international exhibitors from 22 countries and all continents gathered in Cologne to present their businesses across an exhibition space of some 4,900 square metres. Products and presentations at the PMRExpo 2019 were characterised by diversity, technical change and technological openness. The clear internationalisation of the PMRExpo is also reflected in the new record number of close to 4,600 visitors from security authorities and organisations (BOS), the industry, and sectors ranging from energy and passenger transport to logistics and the specialist trade. Jens Lampe (Phonak Communications) summarises the development of the PMRExpo from the perspective of exhibitors: ‘The trade fair continues to expand on an international level beyond the boundaries of Europe. We have noted a strong increase in visitors from outside of Europe.’ 

Exhibitors praise the public’s know-how 

Among the most important trends remarked upon at the PMRExpo is the specialist knowledge of the public, which is steadily growing in both quality and quantity. Numerous exhibitors stressed that the know-how and functional decision-making powers of many visitors was a key criterion for assessing the importance of the PMRExpo for their companies: ‘Many visitors have excellent technical knowledge: they’ve engaged with us in a very intensive dialogue and asked many incisive questions,’ Lars Grothe (JVCKenwood) enthused. André Berninger (Huber+Suhner) went even further: ‘The public at the PMRExpo is very decided. As a rule, we are able to combine very structured client meetings with specific projects.’ 

The Speakers’ Corner is a resounding success 

Our new programme format, the Speakers’ Corner, where exhibitors can present their products and innovations at the Forum at the centre of the fair hall, proved to be a resounding success. The time slots offered for these exhibitor presentations were fully booked in no time at all. The new format was also greatly appreciated by visitors. The same is true for the traditional specialist forums, such as the BOS Forum, the Specialist Trade forum and the Indoor Radio Systems forum, which are characterised by intensive and technically well-grounded presentations and discussions, and which attracted even more participants than in previous years. The Summit Secure Communication | Focus: Command and Control Centres was again a strong crowd-pleaser. 

Start-ups included for the first time 

At the PMRExpo 2019, the organisers reserved a special section of the fair hall for start-up businesses for the first time. Patrick Reichel of the start-up rescueTABLET was impressed by the PMRExpo: ‘The flow of visitors and clients was exciting. We were able to conduct excellent discussions with major clients. But most of all, we were able to connect with other exhibitors with whom we share interests. We would not have been able to network like that without the PMRExpo. As a start-up, these contacts are immensely important to us. We plan to intensify them in the near future.’ 

Network for Secure Communication 

The PMRExpo is not only the leading European trade fair, but also a global network for secure communication. Users, manufacturers, systems and application vendors, network operators, consultants and experts network and convene for rewarding technical exchanges in Cologne. Bernhard Klinger, chairman of the PMeV association, which provides professional consulting and support for the PMRExpo, emphasised the general significance of the PMRExpo and its network in his welcoming address: ‘Mission-critical and security-critical communication is more important than ever.’