Date: 28 February - 3 March 2012
Location: Fair Stuttgart
Opening times: 9.00h - 18.00h, on the last day of the fair until 17.00h
Increasing number of international visitors
More than 95 percent of exhibition space already occupied in
October 2011
The responsible use of energy is a global challenge. Terms such as energy efficiency and regenerative energies are increasingly coming to the fore due to the shortage of fossil fuels and the risks posed by nuclear energy. A domain in which R+T, the leading world trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems, has long felt at home. Roller shutters and shading elements make an important contribution towards saving energy and also protect property against intruders. In winter, roller shutters bring down heating costs while, in summer, the outdoor sun protection systems prevent rooms from getting too warm and thus reduce air conditioning costs. Manufacturers in the door and gate industry also keep energy saving measures in mind when designing the drives and flexibly configurable control units for their products.
This is a growing market that is now getting the attention it deserves. The previous Stuttgart trade fair grounds had long been too small to suffice as a presentation platform. The move to the new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, which is located beside the airport, thus came at the right time and boasted double the exhibition space with a total of 105,000 square metres. Figures for R+T 2009, the first R+T event at the new location, broke all previous records with 747 exhibitors and around 57,300 visitors in attendance. And the trend looks set to continue with R+T 2012, which will take place from 28 February to 3 March. In May 2011, a large number of exhibitors from 2009 had already signed on for the next event. More than 95 percent of the exhibition space available has since been taken. Messe Stuttgart is thus anticipating further growth to the tune of 800 exhibitors from around 40 countries, once again on a fully occupied trade fair grounds. Most notably, it is the interest shown by international exhibitors that has seen a further increase.
Almost two thirds (65 percent) of exhibitors came from outside Germany in 2009. In 2012, it could well be more. Against the backdrop of economic recovery, visitors figures are also expected to rise. Around 60,000 visitors are expected to come from over 100 countries, every second visitor an international one. R+T is an event supported by renowned associations: the Federal association for manufacturers of roller shutters and sun protection (Bundesverband Rollladen + Sonnenschutz e.V. / BVRS), the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers (BVT-Verband Tore), both professional and conceptual supporters of the trade fair, as well as the Industrial association for technical textiles, roller shutters and sun protection (Industrieverband Technische Textilien – Rollladen - Sonnenschutz / ITRS), also a professional supporter.
Exhibitors in Halls 1 to 9 of the fully occupied trade fair grounds will be showcasing innovative ideas, trends and developments from the roller shutter, doors/gates and sun protection industry, as well as complete solutions and services. There will be a number of market leaders participating who will be presenting new products. This is an exhibition tailored to the requirements of self-employed entrepreneurs, Board members, Managing Directors, managerial employees, specialists, as well as marketing and sales employees, from the consumer industries of roller shutter manufacturing, sun protection, Venetian blind and awning manufacture, door-, window- and metal construction, façade construction, the glass industry, joineries, locksmithery, electrical fitting, architecture/planning, interior decoration, security, builders/construction site management, facility management, and building element- and electrical wholesalers.
Comprehensive programme of accompanying events presents the latest innovative products, trends and developments
The exhibition part, with its technical innovation and development, is just one aspect of R+T 2012. A programme of accompanying events tailored to the requirements of the user, organised in collaboration with renowned associations, institutes and industry experts, rounds off this comprehensive event.
One forum for architecture and integral planning is "The Art of Planning" taking place during the Architects' and Planners' Day. With “Smart Interfaçades – The Façade Congress 2012”, the Architects' and Planners' Day for R+T 2012 is offering its own platform for the architecturally significant theme of intelligent façade design. Today's façades are expected to meet a number of requirements. They are the interface between the interior and the exterior, between city and building, energy generation and consumption. The façade is not only the aesthetic and functional shell of a building but also serves as a projection screen for advertising purposes, thus making it an unmistakable “face” of any construction.
The spotlight will be on impressive architectural feats, as well as the latest trends and research developments, during "Smart Interfaçades – The Façade Congress 2012". What does the façade of the future look like? How are themes such as sustainability, new materials and technologies integrated into the modern façade? Addressing these questions will be renowned speakers such as Dominique Perrault (Paris), demonstrating with preliminary sketches the function and meaning of the façade for his architectural designs, among them projects such as the Onix office building in Lille or the Fukoku Tower in Osaka. Further experts include Prof. Dr. Ulrich Knaack from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, who will present the façade as an interface between the building and its surrounding environment. Matthias Sauerbruch from Sauerbruch Hutton in Berlin will be looking at eco-friendly and innovative façades while Dr. Jan Wurm from Arup Materials, also from Berlin, will be presenting “bionic engineering”. Matthias Schuler from Transsolar Stuttgart will address the theme of climate engineering. The conversion of an existing façade into a contemporary one will be shown by Andreas Hild, from Hild und K in Munich. Heike Klussmann and Thorsten Klooster from the Visual Arts department of the University of Kassel will be looking at new materials and functional surface areas suitable for smart surfaces. Tim Edler from realities:united in Berlin will be addressing the theme of “Interaction: Media and Orchestration”, specifically looking at light, media and movement, as well as presenting actual projects and trends for this area. The one-day conference will take place on Thursday, 1 March 2012 with topics of specific interest to architects and civil engineers, however also plenty on offer for students and other interested parties. Special promotions for the interior decorator and electrician target groups round off this extensive programme.
The "Archiprix International" award will also be presented at R+T 2012. This competition, taking place every two years, invites architecture, urban development and agricultural architecture students from all over the world to take part by submitting or sharing their final projects. The prize is sponsored by Hunter Douglas.
The "Innovation Prize 2012" will be awarded for the eighth time in 2012, recognising superb new developments from the following nine product categories: roller shutters, awnings, Roman blinds, internal sun protection systems, drives and control units for roller shutters and sun protection, doors/gates, drives and control units for doors/gates, technical textiles and special solutions. Furthermore, there will be special prizes awarded for the four areas of Design, Energy Efficiency, Trade and Service. There is also support given to the talent of tomorrow with the additional Young Trade Prize. The prize-giving ceremony will take place on 28 February during the R+T exhibitor evening with the prize awarded by the Association of Roller Shutters + Sun Protection (BVRS), the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers and Messe Stuttgart.
The "Sun Protection + Automation" Special Show from the Institute for Windows and Façades, Doors and Gates, Glass and Materials (ift) in Rosenheim will be demonstrating how innovative sun protection can be optimally integrated with modern glazing. It will be divided into five areas:
- Summer heat insulation with interior and exterior shading systems
- intelligent control of sun protection elements for specific shading and light control
- integration of automatically operated doors and gates in buildings
- security and energy efficiency of automatic doors and gates (safety in use and minimal ventilation losses of high speed doors and gates)
- information on the necessary normative verifications for sun protection systems and automatically operated components with regard to energy efficiency and usability
The theme of automation will also feature, a key element in the interplay of glass and sun protection. Renowned manufacturers will be showcasing their products, among them textile Venetian blinds, daylight control using modern sun protection, rapid action doors with good heat-insulating properties, automatic doors designed in coordination with the building, security doors with automatic and sensor technology for the saving of energy and ease of use, as well as many more products representing sustainable thinking.
The cooperation exchange "b2fair-Business to fairs", organised by the Stuttgart Chamber of Industry and Commerce, will be supporting, in particular, small and medium-sized companies in finding a production or sales partner abroad. Anyone interested in taking part can register prior to the event and make initial contact at R+T 2012. “b2fair” was set up by the European Commission and is supported by a number of international organisations.
A series of talks from the Association of Roller Shutters + Sun Protection (BVRS), the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers, the Association for Drives and Control Technology for Doors(BAS.T) and the ITRS will be providing visitors with a wealth of information addressing practical concerns.
Great location with Stuttgart
In terms of architecture, the new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre is one of the most functional and most modern exhibition platforms in the world. It is located directly beside Stuttgart Airport and boasts a direct connection to the A8 motorway which travels from Munich to Stuttgart and continues on to Frankfurt, not to mention the excellent transport infrastructure. The city centre and Stuttgart's main train station are just 25 minutes away with suburban rail (S-Bahn).
However, Stuttgart alone also has plenty to offer visitors. Architecturally, the city has plenty of impressive buildings. And it is situated right at the heart of Europe. Stuttgart is the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, the third-largest German state and home to high-technology and numerous sunrise industries. Approximately 10.7 million people live here on one tenth of the total area of Germany (from 82 million overall).
Furthermore, Stuttgart is a very attractive city surrounded by greenery, with many parks, vineyards and forest areas. The quality of life here is good and culture plays an important role. The Stuttgart State Opera has been repeatedly recognised as the best in the republic, with two musical theatres, further stages and high-quality museums providing broad cultural variety. The people here are regarded as gourmet enthusiasts. Nowhere else will you find such a concentration of star-rated restaurants than you will here in this region. Baden-Württemberg also boasts the oldest German university town, home to the University of Heidelberg, as well as further historical cities such as Freiburg, Tübingen and Baden-Baden, the world-renowned Black Forest and Lake Constance. Regions that certainly encourage an extended stay.
R+T foreign subsidiaries supporting our exhibitors on international sunrise markets
In addition to the “parent” R+T event in Stuttgart, there are currently two foreign subsidiaries that play a role in helping exhibitors tap into important sunrise markets.
R+T Asia in Shanghai, an annual event since 2005, has been hitting record figures year after year, welcoming 369 exhibitors and more than 13,000 visitors through its gates in 2011. The next R+T Asia will take place in March 2012, providing interesting synergy effects for the visitor thanks to the parallel scheduling of DOMOTEX and the CHINAFLOOR Show.
In September 2012, R+T Russia is set to take place for the first time in Moscow. A market that also boasts a large and, as yet undiscovered, potential. R+T Russia will take place at the same time as DOMOTEX Russia and HEIMTEXTIL Russia: yet another opportunity to provide visitors with impressive synergies thanks to overlapping exhibition themes.
And despite the postponement of R+T Middle East in Dubai this year due to the country's uncertain political situation, we firmly believe that the Middle East will continue to gain in importance, primarily as a market for sun protection. One thing that the foreign R+Ts certainly have is a common aim: to spread the name of the parent event far and wide, attracting even more visitors and exhibitors to Germany.
Further Information:
www.rt-expo.com
The Façade Congress 2012 "The Art of Planning".
Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH
web:
www.messe-stuttgart.de
german version 
