An innovations-packed corporate IT showcase spanning 14 halls, over 100 top speakers and an unprecedented number of start-up companies: In just under six weeks' time, the gates will open on CeBIT 2014 in Hannover, Germany, as the world's No. 1 trade fair for the digital industries. "The show's 100% B2B focus and its new thematic thrust have met with a very positive worldwide response," said Oliver Frese, the member of Deutsche Messe's Managing Board in charge of CeBIT, at Tuesday's International Press Preview in Hannover.
The keynote theme of this year's CeBIT is "Datability", i.e. the ability to process and use vast quantities of data, quickly, responsibly and sustainably. "Having Datability as our lead theme will focus attention on the big opportunities that are emerging as a result of the worldwide big data trend. Big data will change the very heart of the IT industry and many user industries," explained Frese.
In June last year, Deutsche Messe had announced its intention to further sharpen CeBIT's B2B profile. Frese: "And we've been true to our word. Following extensive consultation with the industry, we have revamped the show to be more closely aligned with the markets it serves, with a clear business focus. That's why the ICT companies and trade visitors from around the world who participate in CeBIT 2014 will be able to use their time here more efficiently and
effectively than ever before, for maximum benefit." Frese was also confident that the number of exhibiting organizations would be up from last year. In 2013, 3,382 companies from 70 countries exhibited at CeBIT.
Samsung, Huawei, Volkswagen, HP, Brother, Epson and salesforce.com are among the big-name companies who are returning this year with a significantly expanded footprint. Other major players, such as Kyocera, Western Digital and LG, will be back after a few years' absence. Intel will showcase its entire product range in a completely new corporate pavilion.
CeBIT's appeal for startup companies has also risen sharply. More than 300 young companies will be showcasing their innovative business models in a range of display categories. "The large contingent of startups at this year's show will trigger a fresh wave of innovation in the ICT industry. CeBIT has a key role to play in providing these dynamic, pioneering companies with an appropriate platform to raise their international profiles," said Frese. A case in point was the CODE_n international startup competition, which 450 young companies from 60 nations had participated in. The 50 top entries will be presented at CeBIT. In addition, more than 250 startups from around the world will be mounting exhibits right across the fair's various theme areas. Frese: "The many exciting newcomers at this year's show will make it the youngest-ever CeBIT and most likely this year's biggest international startup event. For all of these companies, CeBIT will be a fantastic opportunity to present their innovative power to an international audience of IT professionals and to find new investors and business partners."
The CeBIT Global Conferences – the crown jewel in CeBIT's rich conference program
According to Frese, the CeBIT Global Conferences (CGC) have taken a major step in their evolution. 2014 marks the first time that the event is staged in its own, dedicated hall. This year's CGC in Hall 8 will feature 100 renowned speakers from around the globe who will deliver 70 hours of top-quality conference programming. Among the speakers will be Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Russian cyber security expert Eugene Kaspersky, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, the Head of Mobile at Dropbox, Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, the Vice President Global Marketing at Huawei Technologies, Derek Liu, and Mikko Hyppönen, F-Secure Corporation's Chief Research Officer.
Keynote theme "Datability": using big data effectively and responsibly
The ongoing digitization of our world is giving rise to virtually limitless volumes of data and, at the same time, to a duty to use and protect this data effectively and responsibly. That's why the keynote theme for CeBIT 2014 is "Datability" – a term which pairs "big data" with the concepts of sustainability and responsibility. Accordingly, attendees can look forward to a wide range of market-ready big data solutions and services. They will also find a wealth of additional information on all aspects of data utilization, analysis and secure storage at the various "Datability"-themed forums.
United Kingdom – IT industry powerhouse is CeBIT 2014 Partner Country
The United Kingdom is this year's CeBIT Partner Country. Together, the UK and Germany account for nearly 10 percent of the global IT market. At the same time, the UK and its London capital rank as Europe's IT powerhouse, with over 5,000 IT companies headquartered there – more than 1,300 of which are startups. Around 150 companies from the UK are expected to exhibit at CeBIT 2014, which is roughly twice the number at last year's show. They will be covering a wide range of themes, including smart cities, data science, eHealth, M2M, Internet security and digital media.
Expanded program of CxO-level events
CeBIT's clear B2B focus is also reflected in the fair's program of exclusive events for top IT managers from user companies, which kicked off last year. "Our program of CxO-level events has also come a long way in a very short time," said Frese. CeBIT's network of CIO contacts had expanded exponentially. "The reasons for this are simple. Firstly, CeBIT brings together more top-level executives from the world's leading corporate IT providers and users than any other show. Secondly, these individuals can now choose from a unique bundle of exclusive activities designed to help them network and share experiences and expertise with their peers." This year alone, more than 6,500 top managers from around the world have been invited to join the CeBIT Executive Club. Deutsche Messe's program of CxO-level events is supported by the VOICE IT user association, the FINAKI network, IDG publishers, the Elephants Club and the Global IT Forum within the Diplomatic Council.
New Monday-thru-Friday run of the show
The fair's stronger focus on the B2B sector is also reflected in its timing. While CeBIT will continue to be staged in March – the time of year when many user industries gather input for major purchasing decisions – the event will now start on Monday (10 March) and finish on Friday (14 March), giving trade visitors an additional weekday for getting down to business.
High-caliber speakers at the Opening Ceremony
The CeBIT 2014 Opening Ceremony will be held in front of more than 2,500 invited guests in the main auditorium (Kuppelsaal) of the Hannover Congress Centrum on Sunday, 9 March. The keynote address this year will be held by Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. Other VIP speakers include BITKOM President, Dr. Dieter Kempf, and the Premier of the German State of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil. David Cameron has also confirmed his attendance as the highest-ranking representative from this year's CeBIT Partner Country, the United Kingdom. Cameron will be in the company of his German counterpart, Angela Merkel, who has officially opened the fair with a personal welcome message ever since she took office in 2005.
Complete coverage of all the hottest IT topics
CeBIT provides a complete overview of all the key IT developments and solutions from around the world as well as comprehensive coverage of the themes that are currently shaping the digital industries and affecting both IT providers and users. The exhibits at CeBIT 2014 are grouped into eight clusters: Digital Business Solutions ∙ Enterprise Content Management ∙ Enterprise Resource Planning & Data Analysis ∙ Web & Mobile Solutions ∙ IT Services Research & Innovation ∙ IT Infrastructure & Data Centers ∙ Security ∙ Communication & Networks.
Targeted special displays and events
CeBIT 2014 features a range of special displays appealing to specific target users. Trade visitors interested in public-sector solutions will find a concentrated offering at the Public Sector Parc. Specialist ICT retailers will find a bonanza of products at the Planet Reseller showcase. Industry professionals interested in components and peripheral devices should head straight to the Global Sourcing Area for Devices & Accessories. Career starters and job seekers will discover plenty of exciting opportunities at the "job and career at CeBIT" job exchange and in the course of the TectoYou guided tours of the fair. The CODE_n initiative is a platform for startup companies seeking partners and financing. New this year is the "IT Enables" theme area, an interdisciplinary know-how exchange and case-study exhibition area for users of commercial and industrial IT systems.
