What makes demo park different from other similar shows?
In an open-air area exceeding 25 hectares, more than 400 well-known exhibitors from 15 countries, and well over 100 exciting innovation ideas await gardening and green space professionals, greenkeepers and municipal experts from 11 to 13 June, at this focal point for the green sector in Eisenach. However, our unique selling point, which many national and international competitors envy us, refers to machine presentations on large action areas. Nowhere else can one explore, check and test an equally large number of machines, implements and systems under realistic conditions. And all of this without having been notified before! At demo park, this approach has established a practice for nearly two decades.
What is going to be the novelties in this 2017 edition?
The essence of demo park continues to be high technology at its finest. After all, the exhibition has served for many years as a veritable innovation sensor for the green sector. Almost all major manufacturers consistently orient their innovation cycles to Europe’s largest exhibition in the sector. This is a distinguishing feature of which we can be proud.
From a technological perspective, developments can currently be observed that are based on the electrification of drive concepts on the one hand, and on the digitisation of functions and processes on the other hand. Electrification, hybrid drives, automation, robotics and smart technologies are the central high-tech trends of this year’s demo pack.
The fact that the sector does not stand for mere hype and catchy announcements, but rather for practical, market-ready solutions is demonstrated by the well-stocked catalogue of innovations.
At this year’s demo park we will experience a range of exciting product ideas that realise the concepts of telemetry, digital capturing of operating data, and mobile GPS-controlled machinery monitoring, in applications related to gardening, landscaping and municipal machinery.
As the largest European open-air trade fair – are you prepared for weather variations?
With our many years of demo park experience, we are of course perfectly prepared for weather variations. For those who arrive by car, we guarantee spaciously laid out parking areas which are most of the part concreted. Since demo park takes place on a full-fledged airfield we are, besides, in the fortunate position to have at our disposal asphalted gangways and paths defying all winds and weathers. High-grade exhibition tents are another pillar which illustrates that we are in a position to face all eventualities. Nonetheless, an open-air event naturally makes more fun if the sun is shining …
The event is co-located with the Turf Show and other special actions. What’s their contribution to demo park’s success?
Dr Bernd Scherer: Daring to think outside the box has always been an integral aspect of demo pack. We have demonstrated this for many years, not least with our changing special shows, which continually inspire and capture the imagination of our target group. With our special municipal building activity show, demo park 2017 is truly breaking new ground. It can be said that this trial balloon involves creative, effective contributions of the gardening and landscaping sector, the construction materials industry, and machinery manufacturers, for the networked city of tomorrow. Equally, future-oriented is the well-established special turf show, which will present the latest care concepts to turfgrass professionals.
Finally, can you give us some participation results from the previous edition?
Dr Bernd Scherer: As Europe's largest open-air exhibition for the green sector, demo pack has been a powerful visitor magnet for years. 2015 alone, about 36,500 visitors found their way to Eisenach. For the tenth demo park, we have put together an exceptionally attractive package. We are happy to see you all in June where you can witness exciting machinery and services in operation on three fair days. Thus, planning exhibition attendance early is beneficial. The comprehensive range of products is also a good reason to add an extra day so that it is really worthwhile ...