Final Press Release for RETTmobil 2013, 2013-5-17

Over 24,000 trade visitors found their way to the world center of emergency services in Fulda

Track record results of RETTmobil 2013: visitors, exhibitors and organizers are very satisfied

After RETTmobil 2013 has ended, it is certain: Fulda has become the world center of rescue work with this leading trade show of superlatives. The leading event from May 15 to 17 exceeded all expectations, setting new records: In the three days around 24,300 trade visitors were counted. A plus compared to the targeted 22,000. More than 450 exhibitors from 19 countries - more than ever before - were presented on the 70,000 square metre exhibition site with 19 halls.

The largest stream to the international exhibition for rescue and mobility was registered on Thursday with about 9,400 visitors. On Wednesday 8,400 trade visitors were welcomed, and on the last day over 6,500 were counted.

Visitors, exhibitors and organisers of the world's most important forum for innovation, safety, quality, competence and training are satisfied alike. "The 13th RETTmobil was absolutely amazing", says a delighted Manfred Hommel, Chairman of the Association of Manufacturers of Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles (IKR), the conceptual sponsor of this leading European trade show. Petra Dehler-Udolph and Dieter Udolph, Managing Directors of Messe Fulda GmbH, which is responsible for the planning and implementation, concurred with Hommel: "We did not expect such a good result. Therefore, we are plesantly surprised, very happy and very proud of the success that is based on the concentrated efforts of one year."

Hommel points to the internationality of RETTmobil: Trade visitors from all over the world have informed themselves. The exhibition has no comparison and documents the high technical and medical standards of equipment within the internationally exemplary German emergency services. A guarantee for success is the perfect cooperation of rescue organisations such as THW, Malteser, Arbeitersamariterbund, German Red Cross and Johanniter Unfall-Hilfe. Fire services were presented more than previously.

A highlight of RETTmobil 2013 was the premiere of the Holmatro Rescue Experience, a spectacular learning event with realistic exercise scenarios of numerous rescue disciplines. According to Dieter Udolph the Dutch company Holmatro wishes to participate again in the next RETTmobil.

The high-class information presentations with lectures at the exhibition forum and the well-attended seminars and workshops of the medical rescue education programme have proven their relevance. Professor Peter Sefrin, Scientific Director for Education emphasises the excellent conditions and stresses key issues such as violence in the emergency service and the results of major emergency incidents as evidence of rescue work in practice.

The exhibitors were enthusiastic about RETTmobil because of the central location, smooth organisation, the ideal infrastructure in Fulda and mainly due to the enormous audience interest, report Hommel and Dieter Udolph, who hopes to fulfill the exhibitors' desire for larger presentation areas. The general satisfaction is underpinned by the fact that nearly 75 percent of all exhibitors have already reserved or booked for the 14th RETTmobil in 2014, states Petra Dehler-Udolph. The national and international media interest, with over 70 accreditations speaks for the global attractiveness of the exhibition.

The 14th RETTmobil takes place from May 14 - 16, 2014 at the traditional exhibition site of Messe Galerie in Fulda. For the next edition exhibition management and IKR-Chairman promise further innovations and attractions. They hope that the stream of visitors to the Mecca of emergency services remains stable and even increases.

European Exhibition for Rescue and Mobility

• The global forum for innovation, safety, quality, competence and training.
• The first address and indispensable platform for all full-time and honorary rescuers and volunteers from rescue organisations, for their professional and managerial staff, for users from ministries, municipalities and associations.
• The concentrate of tradition and progress, achievement and success, for which there is no comparison on the continent.
• An impulse for the sector and the economy.
• A must for all those who help and rescue, as well as for those who need help.

Facts and Figures

• Over 420 exhibitors from 17 European countries
• more than 20,000 professional visitors from home and abroad
• 70,000 square metres of total exhibition space
• for the first time: 19 exhibition halls
• extensive outside area
• offroad terrain for training
• test track for driving safety exercises
• free visitor parking
• Workshops
• Emergency rescue-medical training courses

RETTmobil: 3 Pillars of Success

The impressive development, excellent reputation and the huge success of RETTmobil in just 12 years from a national trade show to a top international exhibition rests on three pillars:
Exhibition, Training, Mobility.


Exhibition

The 13th RETTmobil 2013 presents products, innovations and services: products of renowned manufacturers of ambulance and emergency rescue vehicles, as well as renowned exhibitors from the fields of vehicle equipment, emergency medicine, clothing, radio technology, publishers, trade associations, aid associations, fire fighters and armed forces, as well as products from many involved in the sector.


Education

An important addition to the extensive information offered RETTmobil is the professional program with renowned speakers. "From practice - for practice" is the motto of the 21 emergency rescue medical training courses and 10 workshops. The importance of RETTmobil is again highlighted by the fact that the heads of the Association of Fire Services in Germany (AGBF Bund) and the Associations of Firefighters in Rescue (AG FReDI) together participate to shape the forum and the exhibition program.


Mobility

The attractiveness of RETTmobil is essentially determined by the issue of mobility, which can be learned and practised in demonstrations and exercises. The outside area with an offroad park and an integrated test track provides excellent conditions. Here interested visitors can impressively experience mobility with the latest vehicles and rescue equipment. The Bundeswehr introduces a variety of new ambulances on the offroad course.


Central Location

The conceptional sponsor of RETTmobil, the "Community of Interest of Manufacturers of Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles" (IKR e.V.) has chosen the venue in the Baroque city of Fulda for many good reasons as the location for the exhibition of short distances. Hans-Peter von Kirchbach, President of Johanniter-Unfallhilfe, assumes patronage of RETTmobil 2013. Responsible for planning, preparation and execution of RETTmobil is Messe Fulda GmbH


Development

(visitors in blue, exhibitors in orange)


RETTmobil 2013

May 15 - 17, 2013 (Wednesday - Friday)
Open daily: 9am - 5pm, Messe Galerie Fulda
Admission: € 10.00
Parking and catalogues are free for visitors
Free shuttle service from Fulda central station to the exhibition and back

Larger: Exhibition Grounds of RETTmobil 2013