A+A 2009 - The Health & Safety At Work Trade Show - Concludes In Düsseldorf

A+A saw 55,800 visitors in attendence, a new record in its history

A+A 2009 finished with record 55,800 visitors attending

Over the four days of which closed on November 6, 55,800 visitors (2007: 55,200) attended - a new record in the history of the event. Growing attendance was registered particularly from non-European countries such as those in South America. Almost one in four visitors were from abroad to view the 1,541 exhibitors from 62 nations.

Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Joachim Schäfer said: "A+A has once again confirmed its position as the leading international trade fair and congress for health and safety at work, in both exhibitors and visitors".

The A+A Congress, which runs alongside the trade fair, registered some 5,000 participants and the accompanying Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO is a UN sub-organisation) attracted over 300 delegates (from just under 60 countries).

Gerd Zeisler, Chairman of the A+A Advisory Council, attributes the success of the show not only to the special ranges covered by this event but also to an overall greater interest taken in safety and security matters. "The need for security has become an issue for the general public worldwide. The fear of the consequences of natural disasters or terrorist attacks as well as of the effects of pandemics concerns not only health care organisations worldwide but also the managers of multi-national companies."

Products exhibited covered everything from personal protection to protective items to complex security schemes

Under the general theme "Innovations for Safe and Healthy Enterprises", the A+A Congress addressed the qualitative and economic benefits of preventive action. Outlining the advantage and significance of prevention, Bruno Zwingmann, the General Manager of BASI e.V. (Federal Working Group on Safety and Health at Work), said: "Companies' sustainable ability to compete and innovate is closely correlated with the qualification, motivation and creativity of their employees. Without the protection and promotion of health at work these are not possible."

Exhibitor's ranges displayed covered everything from personal protection to protective items for individual parts of the body to complex security schemes including everything from occupational medical care to ergonomic workplace design. A fully recyclable protective work jacket, a business suit fitted with wind-breaker membranes designed for field representatives and protective wear with integral UV-protection, ergonomic furniture customised for use in children's day nurseries, noise-absorbing pictures or the latest generation of highly sensitive gas measuring devices for the simultaneous measuring of various gases were among some of the more unusual exhibits.

The next A+A will be held in Düsseldorf from 18th - 21st October 2011.