European Outdoor Group (EOG) votes in favour of the venue at Lake Constance and against Munich

Press release

Major Success: OutDoor Will Continue to Be Held in Friedrichshafen

Friedrichshafen, Germany – Champagne corks were popping and the entire trade show team in Friedrichshafen breathed an extremely happy sigh of relief when the news broke that OutDoor will continue to be held on the shores of Lake Constance. “Now we can carry on with the OutDoor success story,” said the overjoyed Messe Friedrichshafen CEO, Klaus Wellmann, after the European Outdoor Group (EOG) announced its decision in Munich on Wednesday.

In a secret ballot, the 47 member firms eligible to vote each cast one ballot under notary supervision to reach this result. “We are of course absolutely delighted with this result,” Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann said on behalf of the trade show team and the entire city.

Over the past few weeks, the decision had been very eagerly awaited by all those participating. Since 1994 Messe Friedrichshafen has successfully positioned OutDoor among the ranks of international trade shows and made this “summit for the outdoor industry” into Europe’s leading exhibition and an event that serves as a worldwide model. The numbers of visitors and exhibitors have more than tripled over the past 14 years and the international character and media impact have rapidly developed: “We live and breathe this event,” said the proud Friedrichshafen trade show team, which has cultivated a close partnership with the EOG. For Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann and Project Manager Stefan Reisinger, this positive vote represents both an important business order and a personal challenge to make this nature sports event – which takes place in “extremely inspiring outdoor surroundings” – into the world’s leading trade show for the industry over the coming years.

Friedrichshafen has made a name for itself as an important trade show venue and the home of major global companies like ZF and MTU. Now the city is currently experiencing rapid growth. Transport accessibility has been continuously improved, there are more flight connections to Friedrichshafen Airport on Lake Constance, to Zurich and to nearby Memmingen Airport at the gateway to the Alps. Three hotel projects in Friedrichshafen and the surrounding region are in the planning stages or about to begin construction soon. The new transport concept for the trade show, the city and the region will begin launching initial measures already in spring 2008. In addition, the infrastructure on the trade show grounds will be further enhanced with the new entrance area, two new halls, extra parking spots and a new access road. From spring 2009, a total of 85,000 sqm of exhibition space will be available.