On day one of InnoTrans 2018 (Sept. 18) from 10.00 to 11.30 a.m. at the Palais am Funkturm on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, a spectacular opening event will take place. More than 1,000 national and international senior figures representing industry, science and politics have been invited to Opening Ceremony of InnoTrans. Numerous ministers of transport as well as rail manufacturing and rail transport executives from around the world will be taking part.
Messe Berlin CEO Dr. Christian Göke, European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc, and Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Andreas Scheuer will welcome the guests. The slogan of the opening event at the world's leading trade fair for rail transport technology is ’Mobility: Innovative – Multimodal – Sustainable’.
Federal Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer has high expectations of rail transport: ”We want rail travellers to experience a ‘wow effect’, and in that respect the rail industry with its forward-looking innovations can make a decisive impact. At InnoTrans visitors will be able to witness these fascinating technologies close up. Our goal is to make the railways the most environmentally friendly means of transport for a digital society, and ensure that for the public rail travel becomes a passion.”
Following the welcome address a panel discussion will take place, moderated by Astrid Frohloff. Taking part will be Jürgen Fenske, president of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), Dr. Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, chairman of the board and CEO of Alstom, Laurent Troger, president of Bombardier Transportation, and Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility GmbH.
After the official Opening Ceremony the guests of honor will take part in a tour of the exhibition halls, the Outdoor Display, and the Bus Display at InnoTrans 2018.
