‘Next Stop — the Future’ was the call for over 1,300 trade visitors from 21 countries on April 25 and 26 2017 when the congress and exhibition BUS2BUS made its debut. The Future Forum and bdo Congress provided many opportunities for obtaining answers and ideas about the future direction for bus companies. The focus was on topics such as alternative drivetrains, self-driving concepts and innovative services. Leading brand names from the industry were prominently represented at the Market Place. Products, services and solutions were displayed by a total of 73 exhibitors from 13 countries. There were also some creative and stimulating exchanges of views between industry experts and start-ups.
“Despite the fact that Germany is the leading European market, until now there has been no independent business platform for the bus sector and its suppliers. The first BUS2BUS has shown that the subject and the concept of this event have encountered a genuine demand on this market, on both the supply and the demand sides,” said Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin.
The CEO of the German Association of Bus and Coach Operators (bdo), Christiane Leonard, was also extremely satisfied: “BUS2BUS has demonstrated that, as a means of transport, buses have come of age. They have outgrown their teenage years and have become a fully fledged member of the mobility chain, with a substantial capability for further improvement. I am delighted with the complete success of this event on its debut. But it would not be a debut if there were to be no continuation, and consequently BUS2BUS will be taking place again in Berlin in two years time. And that is something that I am already looking forward to.
The results of the survey of exhibitors and visitors confirm the levels of satisfaction experienced by exhibitors and trade visitors alike. A very good to good overall impression was obtained by 94 per cent of the exhibitors at BUS2BUS. The combination of bdo Congress, Future Forum and Market Place met with a good to very good response from 93 per cent of those polled.
Trade visitors were particularly interested in the product segments devoted to Buses, Digital Services, Components and Accessories, Maintenance, Services and Infrastructure and Comfort and Design. It was evident that the trade visitors at BUS2BUS included a very high proportion of senior decision-makers.
