Berlin hosts the world

Over 2,900 exhibitors from 59 countries and guests from all over the world will fill the 42 exhibition halls and the outdoor and track area under the Berlin Radio Tower from 24 to 27 September 2024. The exhibition area at the 14th InnoTrans is larger than ever before: 200,000 square metres will be filled with the latest innovations, including about 226 world firsts. They are marked on the stands and hall plans. Further information on the world premieres can be found in the World Innovation Guide, the InnoTrans app and on the InnoTrans Website.

Ceremonial opening

The opening ceremony will kick off on 24 September 2024 at 10 a.m. at palais.Berlin. More than 1,000 national and international representatives from business, science and politics have been invited. After a welcome address by Dirk Hoffmann, COO of Messe Berlin, Magda Kopczyńska, Director General of the EU DG MOVE, and Dr Volker Wissing, the German Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, will speak. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic "From Hype to Reality – AI in the Mobility Sector". Susanne Henckel, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport will be joined by: Dr Richard Lutz, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Deutsche Bahn, Mohamed Rabie Khlie, Director General of the Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF), Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chairman of the Board of Directors & CEO of Alstom, Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, and Javier Martínez Ojinaga, CEO of CAF Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. This will be followed by the official opening tour.

Exchanging ideas at a high level

The InnoTrans Convention offers expert talks, presentations and panel discussions with international guests. At the heart of the InnoTrans Convention are the Dialog Forums, which will take place daily at palais.Berlin during the trade fair. They are organised by the German Railway Industry Association (VDB), the German Transport Forum (DVF), the European Rail Industry Association (UNIFE), the German Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI) and the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV). InnoTrans also offers a related supporting programme for each topic-specific area, whether it is the International Design Forum, the International Bus Forum, the International Tunnel Forum, the DB Innovation Forum or the Public Transport Forum. Further information on the Dialog Forums and all other events can be found here at InnoTrans Plus. The online platform contains all the important information you need to prepare for and follow up on your visit to the trade fair.

Multifaceted supporting programme

But there are many more events at InnoTrans. Organised by the International Rail Catering Group (IRCG), the Hospitality Forum on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the CityCube will focus on innovations in railway catering. Mobility trends are also on the agenda on Friday: at the premiere of the Railway Influencer Festival, selected exhibitors will meet influencers, bloggers and YouTubers in the Marshall-Haus. For the first time, an independent jury will confer the Railway Influencer Award. The best trade fair and brand videos will be honoured, as will the best YouTube channel on mobility topics.

Focus on AI

Another première is the AI Mobility Lab exhibition area. 42 exhibitors from a total of 17 countries, from Australia through to Singapore to Canada, from the fields of AI, cybersecurity, data protection and robotics will be showcasing their innovations in Hall 7.1a. The exhibitors include companies such as Google Cloud, IBM, Cisco, Next Generation Robotics and the CRRC Academy. As AI now plays a role for all exhibitors, there will be additional guided tours to exhibitors offering AI-based products, services or solutions (page 16). In terms of content, the topic will be rounded off with presentations on cybersecurity or AI in the AI Mobility Corner.

Mobility+ for the First and Last Mile

Travellers' demand for flexible transport is increasing. On-demand and sharing services are therefore becoming increasingly important in local public transport. They support the traditional regular rail and bus services and close gaps in coverage in terms of space and time - whether in urban centres or sparsely populated rural areas. In the Mobility+ exhibition area in Hall 7.1c, 34 companies and transport associations will be presenting their complementary mobility services, including some world firsts. The offerings range from on-demand driving systems, mobility apps and platforms for ride pooling to solutions for covering the first and last mile. The exhibition will be complemented by presentations in the Mobility+ Corner hall forum. Here, exhibitors will present their pioneering products and services in the field of complementary mobility and answer questions from trade visitors. See the entire program of the Mobility+ Corner at InnoTrans Plus.

Well catered for

Messe Berlin supports trade visitors to InnoTrans with numerous services. A daily business breakfast for early risers before the opening of the trade fair, a business lounge with computer terminals, discussion and quiet areas as well as an Oktoberfest restaurant with reservation options will ensure a pleasant stay. Exhibitors and applicants will have the opportunity to meet each other at the InnoTrans Campus in Hall 7.2c. This is where they will find an exciting programme on careers and an overview of job vacancies. Visitors can keep up to date with the InnoTrans app. Every morning, the InnoTrans Daily newsletter will provide exhibitors, media representatives and guests with fresh information about the trade fair. One can register when purchasing tickets and also on the InnoTrans website. InnoTrans has organised shuttle services from BER Airport to the city to ensure smooth travel to and from the trade fair. With their InnoTrans tickets, guests can also use the public transport system free of charge. Kick scooters, scooters and bicycles are available for hire in designated areas around the exhibition centre.