Governor Rauner makes it official:  HANNOVER MESSE coming to Chicago this fall

[April 25, 2018] 

HANOVER, Germany

Governor Bruce Rauner has made it official. HANNOVER MESSE, the world-renowned trade show brand synonymous with industrial innovation, key trends and business leads, is coming to Chicago this fall co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)

The premiere of HANNOVER MESSE USA is expected to attract some 550 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors to Chicago for the September 10-15 show. The brand will occupy about 130,000 square feet of display space on two levels in the East Building of McCormick Place.

IMTS is already among the largest trade shows in the world, attracting more than 115,000 visitors from every level of industry and more than 120 countries. The addition of the HANNOVER MESSE brand adds to the show’s international standing among manufacturers looking to learn more about advances in equipment and technology.

“Having HANNOVER join forces with IMTS for this biennial event makes Chicago the go-to destination for manufacturers worldwide,” said Rauner at a press gathering in connection with the HANNOVER MESSE event taking place this week here. “We can count on the collaboration to enhance our reputation as a center for industrial technology. We will also benefit greatly from the economic impact of an enlarged convention visitor and exhibitor base for these shows.”

“HANNOVER MESSE is steadily adding to its acclaim in the U.S. market,” said Deutsche Messe Managing Board Chairman Dr. Jochen Köckler, “in part thanks to the country’s Partner Country showcase in 2016 – a momentous event attended by President Barack Obama.

By launching HANNOVER MESSE on U.S. soil, we hope to attract even more exhibitors and visitors to Chicago while also generating positive spin-off effects for HANNOVER MESSE at its home base here in Germany.”

“We are thrilled to welcome HANNOVER MESSE to McCormick Square for their first show in the United States,” said Lori T. Healey, CEO, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). “We’ve been honored to partner with Deutsche Messe since 2012 and are pleased to expand this fall with HANNOVER MESSE.”

In 2017, over 6,500 exhibitors presented more than 500 groundbreaking industry 4.0 solutions for manufacturing at HANNOVER MESSE in Germany. The show attracted more than 225,000 trade visitors, and is highly regarded as a place where owners and executives keep up to date on the latest trends in industrial digitization.

IMTS is owned and managed by AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology. To promote STEM studies and careers in advanced technology, IMTS features a Smartforce Student Summit where students can experience fun and interactive challenges like Computer Aided Design, 3D printing, robotic welding, water-jet assembly, CNC measurement and more. Last year more than 17,000 students, teachers and parents attended the summit.

[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner]