Press release

Fulda, 12/05/2023

We have exceeded our own expectations

There were more than 27,000 visitors to RETTmobil this year – more than our most optimistic expectations! Experts from many parts of Germany and from 50 other countries made their way to Germany, to spend three days hearing about the most recent developments in emergency services and disaster management.

Manfred Hommel was the manager of the trade fair. He commented that he had optimistically expected 26,000 visitors, 4,000 more than in the previous year. In the course of the afternoon of the third and last day, it became clear that RETTmobil would beat even this value.  There were about 8,500 visitors to the exhibition site on both the opening day (Wednesday) and Friday. However, on Thursday, they had 11,000 visitors to RETTmobil – in spite of a downpour. Hommel commented that this was a very accurate estimate and was based on the ticket system and drone images. He was delighted by the lively interest.

RETTmobil has made a name for itself. Everyone can see what we stand for – emergency services under realistic conditions. This applies even when the weather is poor and the off-road path is muddy.

Because of the enormous demand, we had decided to expand the exhibition site by 4,000 m² – including 1,000 m² in the halls – and it soon became clear that this had been exactly the right decision. Many visitors who were emergency services at home came to the spectacular displays presented by the fire brigades in Hall L. Shortly before the end of the trade fair, Hommel made it clear that the extension would not be a once-off. RETTmobil planned to use the same area in the coming year, as otherwise there would not be enough room.

It was clear that many visitors were from abroad, and this was striking if you listened to them talking in the hall. Apart from English as an international second language, you could detect visitors from Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Eastern and Southern Europe and Asia. Just a glance in the list of exhibitors confirmed the impression that RETTmobil has become a leading international trade fair. 470 firms from 20 countries – including newcomers with impressively large stands, such as Rodriguez Lopez from Spain, who specialises in refitting and upgrading.

Manfred Hommel was delighted that there had been so many visitors from abroad. The exhibitors were glad to make and develop many international contacts during the trade fair. They had had useful discussions and were more than satisfied. This favourable balance was also reflected in the fact that, on Friday evening, 60% of the exhibitors had already booked for the coming year. The 22d RETTmobil will then take place from 15 to 17 May 2024 – as always in the trade fair site in Fulda.

Press release

Fulda, 31/03/2023

In six weeks, the RETT trade fair will be opening in Fulda!

The RETTmobil (10 – 12 May) will then open for another three days – as the focus for rescue services in Germany and beyond. The organisers expect more than 450 exhibitors and thousands of visitors.

Manfred Hommel, the Managing Director of Messe RETTmobil International GmbH, reports: “The excitement is slowly increasing. We are keeping precisely to our timetable for the preparations. Once again, the community of experts can look forward to many highlights.” According to Hommel, the exhibitors will include companies from more than 20 countries, including new companies from Spain and Great Britain that sell vehicles for emergency services. The patron this year will be Boris Rhein, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Hesse.

The special exhibition will deal with a wide variety of themes and we expect that there will be a great deal of interest in new trends, such as digitalisation and remotely operated systems. These will include operating robots and drones – both in detail at various stands and live demonstrations in authentic situations.

“Action” will be provided by the traditional off-road parcours. The entry from the German Red Cross this year will be an all-wheel patient transport system on a Unimog chassis and we will see what it is capable of on this demanding terrain. It will also be demonstrated how a forest caterpillar can be used for forest fires and how an INEOS Grenadier 4 x 4 can be used as command and control vehicle in open country. Visitors will also be able to ride through the off-road parcours on a Landrover Defender.

RETTmobil will not neglect training. The supporting specialist program will include advanced training in medical ambulance work, workshops and discussions with experts (“Meet the Experts“). The themes will include management and communication during active service, digital solutions for a variety of problems, psychosocial emergency prevention and preclinical ultrasound. Our organisation manager Sandra Hommel-Liebich recommends that those wishing to take part should register on our website as rapidly as possible (https://www.rettmobil-international.com/besucher/tickets/). Demand is high.

LUKAS RESCUE LEAGUE and SAFETY-TOUR have announced special practical workshops for members of fire brigades and ambulance services. These will take place on a special area of 4,000 m2 and will concentrate on fire prevention and technical aids. For example, these will deal with the special risks of E-mobility. These workshops will be held on a special presentation and practical area by hall L.

Press release

Fulda, 22/02/2023

RETTmobil – Something for every emergency worker!

In a few weeks (10 – 12 May), RETTmobil 2023 will be opening its gates. We expect more than 450 domestic and international exhibitors, as well as thousands of specialist visitors. We are laying much greater emphasis on work for fire brigades, which is why the area of the trade fair has been increased by ca. 4,000 square metres. The patron this year is Boris Rhein, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Hesse.

After it had become clear that exhibitors still have a lively interest in RETTmobil, Messe RETTmobil International GmbH discussed the best procedure with the city authorities in Fulda and then decided to expand the exhibition area by about 4,000 square metres. For the first time, more than 450 exhibitors will present their products in 20 mobile halls, as well as in the extensive outside area and in the areas for exhibitions and practical shows.

We have excited a great deal of interest from fire brigades and this is the principle reason that the overall demand has increased so much. For example, in 2023 we will have presentations from more experts in the construction of fire engines. Moreover, we will hear from more service providers and companies specialising in software and digital technology, who regard RETTmobil as an increasingly important platform. The public can look forward to companies from more than 20 countries, including new specialists in ambulance construction from Spain and Great Britain.

There will be a second entrance to the trade fair by the off-road track. This will ensure that there is a direct link to the new area. This will take the visitors to the new hall. This is about 700 square metres in size and will concentrate on fire brigades. There will be an area here for presentations and displays; the host here is the LUKAS RESCUE LEAGUE and the theme is “Technical Support for Fire Brigades and Ambulance Services”. At the same site, SAFETY TOUR will present a workshop on “E-Mobility and Special Risks”.

On the off-road track, German Red Cross will present an ambulance with a Unimog chassis. You will be able to take a ride in this. It is also planned to show how a forest caterpillar can be used when there is a forest fire.

Aside from the specialist trade fair, visitors can once again register for courses on ambulance medicine, practical workshops and discussions with experts (“Meet the Experts”). The themes extend from management and communication in emergencies to digital solutions in many situations to psychosocial emergency care for children and preclinical ultrasound.

The patron of RETTmobil 2023 will be Boris Rhein, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Hesse. Minister Rhein is expected to attend the opening ceremony on 10 May in the grounds of the trade fair.

RETTmobil will be open on all three days between 09:00 and 17:00 hours. Entry tickets and tickets for the specialist program can be ordered on line under https://rettmobil.ticket.io. Groups of ten or more emergency ambulance workers in training will be offered a discount. Groups who intend to take advantage of this discount should contact us at info@rettmobil-international.com before the trade fair starts – and must include confirmation from their training unit.

There will be a free bus shuttle service from Fulda Central Station to the grounds of the trade fair. Busses will run at 15 minute intervals between 08:30 and 10:00 hours and then in 30 minute intervals. As usual, visitors who come by car can park free of charge on the grounds of the trade fair.

Press release

Fulda, 09/12/2022

RETTmobil exhibition 2023 will be on a larger campus

In about 5 months, the RETTmobil exhibition 2023 will open its gates. This is a good moment to tell you how the planning is proceeding.

Exhibitors are maintaining a steady interest in our trade fair. Indeed, exhibitors from more than 20 countries have already registered. As always, the atmosphere will be international at the next RETTmobil exhibition. For the first time, there will be exhibits in Fulda from a British manufacturer of rescue vehicles and a Spanish manufacturer of rescue vehicles and fire engines.

If you want your company be represented at the trade fair next May, don’t hesitate! The RETTmobil exhibition 2023 is already fully booked in the current grounds in Fulda.  Sandra Hommel-Liebich is our manager for visitors and exhibitors and reports that she receives enquiries and registrations almost every day. She comments that registrations for 2023 were made even before the last trade fair in order to secure exhibition spaces.

But there is still a chance of being at Fulda. In order to accommodate additional exhibitors, the trade fair company has been working with the authorities of the city of Fulda to optimise the grounds. In addition, we are considering how to expand the trade fair grounds.

Sandra Hommel-Liebich commented that they hoped this would give additional halls for the trade fair and/or outdoor area and that this would help them to satisfy the demand.

One reason for the increase in demand has been the growing interest from the fire brigade sector. In particular, manufacturers of fire engines will be much better represented in 2023. Moreover, service providers and providers of software solutions and digital technologies are increasingly interested in the RETTmobil exhibition as a platform for their goods.

Many of the exhibitors are from the fire brigade sector and this has influenced the training program. We are currently striving to complement the lectures with themes that are specific to the fire brigade, such as digitalisation in the fire brigade or E-mobility. For example, we have a variety of presentations on such themes as “mass casualties”, crisis intervention, “ambulance service and terror” and “the ambulance service at its limits”. After discussions with the Science Advisory Council, the training program for the RETTmobil exhibition 2023 will be published not later than the end of January 2023. The sessions can also be booked from this time point.

Parking spaces at the trade fair grounds and the trade fair shuttle between the Fulda ICE station and the trade fair grounds are still free: According to Sandra Hommel-Liebich: “Our experience this year has shown that increasing numbers of visitors are using the train to get to the RETTmobil exhibition. This is why we will use more buses and optimize the intervals.”

We can also assure you that the RETTmobil exhibition will continue to be an annual event. In 2024, the trade fair will be from 15 to 17 May, as always in Fulda.

Current information and then instructions for ordering entry tickets and tickets for the training program can be found at www.rettmobil-international.com.

Press release

Fulda, 13/05/2022

The restart has been a total success

The organisers of the 20th RETTmobil exhibition may well have had some sleepless nights before it started. Would this traditional function be as successful as it used to be after being forced to stop for two years? Since Friday evening (13/05/2022), this has been quite clear: We’ve managed it! With a total of 467 exhibitors from 25 countries and about 22,000 visitors, the RETTmobil has shown convincingly that – in spite of the interruption from Corona – it is still an important milestone in the calendar.

Manfred Hommel, the Managing Director of the Fulda trade fair company, commented that he was relieved that the restart had been such a success. Even though they had been forced to postpone the event twice, very many exhibitors had remained loyal and not cancelled their bookings. This then in turn meant that they were obliged to provide the best possible platform for emergency medicine – not only this year, but also till at least 2030.

Up to a few days of the start of the trade fair last Wednesday (11/05/2022), the organisers were still receiving enquiries as to whether it was possible to take part at short notice. As the Fulda trade fair grounds had already been booked for some time, even well known manufacturers had unfortunately to be put off till next year (10 – 12/05/2023).

Exhibitors reported really good discussions
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz, Managing Director of Ambulanz Mobile GmbH in Schönebeck commented that it was really good to be in Fulda again. His was one of the companies that had already booked space for their exhibit at the RETTmobil exhibition 2023. They had many fruitful discussions, that encouraged them to think that their concept of sustainability was absolutely in the spirit of the times.

Thomas Strobel, Managing Director of System Strobel GmbH, is also really pleased with how things went at the RETTmobil exhibition. The response was just as good as if there had never been an interruption. They had met very many old and new customers and the response was strikingly favourable.

Great interest in the program for specialists
The organisers too considered that the response to the program for specialists was generally positive. As in preceding trade fairs, advanced courses as well as workshops were offered. For the first time, we included the format “Meet the Experts”. This is a very exclusive opportunity for visitors to discuss problems directly with experts and to obtain answers to their questions.

Sandra Hommel-Liebich commented that there was lively interest in the courses and workshops. One of her duties was to evaluate all services offered by the RETTmobil exhibition. She reported that most functions were either fully or almost fully booked. Our concept of “Meet the Experts” excited great interest, but this must first be properly established. We will allow some time for this.

Visitors from more than 50 countries
It was evident as soon as Wednesday morning that many visitors had missed the RETTmobil. In contrast to previous years, many visitors went to Fulda by train. The shuttle service every 30 minutes between the station and the trade fair could not be kept up and had to be cancelled long before the official start of the trade fair at 9 o’clock – otherwise the flood of visitors could not have been transported. The trade fair then had to be opened earlier than planned.

As almost 90% of specialist visitors had ordered their tickets in advance over the internet, it was clear that there were visitors this year from more than 50 countries. Aside from Germany and other European countries, there were visitors in the public from North and Latin America, the Near and Far East and African countries. Manfred Hommel commented that they had deserved their reputation as the International Leading Exhibition for Rescue and Mobility.

From electromobility to tele emergency medicine
This was reflected in the exhibiting companies. Focal points this year included electromobility, electrohydraulic transport and loading systems, as well as tele emergency medicine or data management. The companies made every effort to portray their (sometimes highly complex) products as practically as possible and to let the expert public try them out themselves.

The director of the trade fair commented that the visitors were good tempered and relaxed. This was evident during the assembly phase and was retained throughout the RETTmobil exhibition. There was a very high demand for exhibition area for next year. By the end of the trade fair, more than a third of this year’s exhibitors had already made a definite booking for Fulda in 2023. As Hommel commented: “The site here is ideal – the geographical location, the transport links, the trade fair grounds and, last but not least, the splendid collaboration with the city. It is quite clear that we will keep to Fulda for many years.”

 

Photo: Osthessen News / Messe RETTmobil International GmbH

Press release

Fulda, 12/04/2022

Our preparations are proceeding exactly as planned

Our preparations are in full swing: The RETTmobil exhibition in Fulda is opening its gates in four weeks (11 to 13 May 2022). This trade fair lasts three days and will offer specialists the chance of meeting more than 400 exhibitors from 25 countries.

The organisers of the RETTmobil exhibition are keeping precisely to their timetable. The gates of the site will be opened at 9:00 am on 11 May 2022 and visitors will find a treasure trove of interesting exhibits.

According to Manfred Hommel, Managing Director of Messe RETTmobil International GmbH, at the end of last week: “The first mobile exhibition halls are already complete and we are proceeding step by step. We are keeping exactly to our timetable“.

The exhibition area is now fully occupied, but almost every day we are receiving applications from companies who wish to exhibit at the International Leading Exhibition for Rescue and Mobility. According to Manfred Hommel: “We will see what is possible, but we can’t perform magic”. Aside from the 19 exhibition halls, an extensive outdoor area is available. Our presentations there include practical tests, exercises and demonstrations – such as the use of drones in ambulance services or mountain rescue. In addition, we have the popular off-road course.

In general, Managing Director Hommel considers that the rescue industry is full of optimism. “The companies are happy that they can finally present their products and services at a personal level. On the other hand, digitalisation is important in very many firms. You can rely on the new complete glass fibre network on the site of the trade fair. The RETTmobil exhibition is excellently equipped to make its mark once again throughout the world.”

 

Photo: Martin Engel

Press release

Fulda, 10/03/2022

Tickets for the RETTmobil exhibition are now available ONLINE

IMPORTANT: It is the only way to purchase tickets!

Anyone planning to travel to Fulda for the RETTmobil exhibition should have their ticket with them. There will no longer be a ticket counter at the entrance of the exhibition center.

„For several reasons, we decided to offer tickets via the online ticket shop on our website,” says Manfred Hommel, Executive Director of Messe RETTmobil International GmbH. „Booking tickets online is convenient and easy. Above all, this is intended to avoid long waiting times and queues at the cash registers and entrances, in addition the obligation to provide documentation in times of the pandemic is also met. For the same reason, it is planned to set up another entrance to the exhibition next to the main entrance this year. After all, we still have to live with a pandemic situation that requires certain precautions already in the planning phase of an exhibition“, Hommel asks for understanding.

Day tickets for visitors are available for 20 euros. This includes the use of a free shuttle bus that runs every half hour between the exhibition center and the ICE train station in Fulda (exit in the direction of the city). In addition, around 3,000 free visitor parking spaces are available directly at the exhibition center.

Places in the specialist program can also only be secured online. It doesn’t matter whether you want to take part in further training, workshops or the new format “Meet the Experts” – the only way to get there is via the online ticket shop. Those interested should not hesitate; the number of participants is limited. The complete program can be viewed at www.rettmobil-international.com.

Press release

Fulda, 23/01/2022

RETTmobil exhibition 2022: All lights are green

A good quarter of a year before the start of the RETTmobil exhibition 2022 (11th to 13th May), preparations are going according to plan. Despite the constantly changing Corona situation, the organizers of the international leading exhibition for rescue and mobility are well prepared.  

„We are continuously monitoring the development of the Corona situation and will coordinate all necessary measures with the responsible local authorities“, says Manfred Hommel, Executive Director of Messe RETTmobil International GmbH. „Our overall concept, especially with regard to hygiene regulations, is set up in such a way that we can react immediately to almost all developments. On our part, all lights are green“, says Hommel happily.

The preparations are in full swing. Everything is focused on 11th May 2022, when the RETTmobil exhibition can open its doors again at 9 a.m. for the first time since 2019. Over 400 exhibitors from 25 countries have confirmed their attendance, including from the USA, China and Russia. One focus is traditionally the leading industry representatives from Germany and Europe.

„Several times a week, we still receive inquiries from companies that absolutely want to be represented with a stand at the RETTmobil exhibition”, says Manfred Hommel. „We’ve actually been booked up for quite some time.” The entire team of Messe RETTmobil International GmbH tries to find appropriate solutions for all inquiries.

Visitors can therefore look forward to a highly interesting RETTmobil exhibition. In addition to numerous new products and innovations, there will again be an extensive specialist program. Further training, workshops and the new format “Meet the Experts” as well as demonstrations and the well-known off-road course are in the final stages of planning. More information on this shortly on the Website of the RETTmobil exhibition www.rettmobil-international.com.

Press release

Fulda, 07/10/2021

Good prospects for the RETTmobil exhibition 2022

„The prospects for the RETTmobil exhibition 2022 are very good“, says with pleasure Manfred Hommel, Executive Director of the Messe RETTmobil International GmbH. Not only the development of the corona situation, but also new agreements behind the scenes give every reason to be optimistic.

„The exhibition is taking place“, Hommel is convinced. For the event period from 11th to 13th May 2022, the Executive Director expects the exhibition center to be fully booked. 96 percent of the space has already been booked. Who still wants to be there, has to decide soon.

Over 400 exhibitors from 25 countries have confirmed their attendance. These include economic heavyweights such as the USA, China and Russia, but also smaller countries such as Latvia and Pakistan. Europe and especially German exhibitors will again be the traditional heavyweight next year. Overall, Manfred Hommel speaks of a „very good” development. Especially after the corona-related cancellation last year, there was almost no backtracking. Almost all exhibitors had immediately rebooked for 2022, according to Hommel.

This sign of confidence puts the exhibition organizers under a certain pressure to succeed. They cannot influence the corona situation on their own, but they can influence the general conditions of the RETTmobil exhibition. „Of course, we will adhere to the hygiene regulations that apply at the time of the event”, assures Executive Director Hommel.

An expansion of the exhibition center will provide more space than before. The city of Fulda is providing up to 10,000 m² adjacent to the previous area. Visitors can reach the area on foot, on which, among other things, the exhibition restaurant will be located. From 2022, there will be two more entrances to the exhibition in addition to the main entrance. This should avoid long waiting times and queues in front of the entrance.

Additionally, fiber optic technology will be available at the exhibition in the future. The previously limited internet quality will no longer be an issue. That alone is necessary in order to be able to implement the planned hybrid events. Several events and lectures are to take place both as presence appointments on site and as a live stream on the Internet.

The exact program for the RETTmobil exhibition 2022 has not yet been determined. The congress timetable is expected to be finalized in the second half of November. Further events are planned to deal in detail with major catastrophic situations such as the catastrophic flood in southwest Germany in 2021 as well as the effects of the corona pandemic on the emergency services and specialist services. Topics such as electromobility in rescue services as well as the possibilities of digitization and artificial intelligence (AI) for civil protection are already firmly planned.

Press release

Fulda, 05/02/2021

No RETTmobil exhibition in 2021

The RETTmobil exhibition 2021 has to be cancelled. The original date from 5th to 7th May of this year is just as impossible to keep as an alternative date at the beginning of June that has meanwhile be planned. The next RETTmobil exhibition will therefore take place in Fulda from 11th to 13th May 2022.

„We, as a trade fair company, as well as the IKR e.V., as the conceptual sponsor, are following the current corona situation very closely and are constantly in close contact with the responsible public authorities“, says Manfred Hommel, Executive Director of Messe RETTmobil International GmbH. „Until recently, we hoped to be able to at least realize the alternative date in June. By the current state, this will not be responsible. Fortunately, the number of infections is declining significantly for some time, that has given us hope. Even the vaccinations, despite the suboptimal start, will certainly bring some relaxation in the next few weeks and months. Unfortunately, it will be too late for us. Also in June, a too few part of the population will be vaccinated to justify such an event as the RETTmobil exhibition. With a heavy heart, we have to announce that the RETTmobil exhibition will unfortunately be cancelled also this year“, says Hommel.

An alternative date at the beginning of June was envisaged in order to gain time and to be able to observe the developments for a little longer. „Our exhibitors and logistics partners need planning reliability. So we had to decide now. In our estimation, it would be irresponsible to hold an event with more than 400 exhibiting companies and tens of thousands of visitors at the moment“, Manfred Hommel explains the decision.

The RETTmobil exhibition is the leading exhibition for the entire rescue at home and abroad. That is one of the reason why we set particularly high standards for ourselves and our responsibility“, explains Hommel. Most of the people who come to us in Fulda are directly confronted with the consequences of the corona pandemic and work on the front lines. Their health needs to be protected, and that’s why we look forward to seeing you again next year when the RETTmobil exhibition will take place in Fulda from 11th to 13th May 2022.