Tips for Getting the Most Out of A+A 2015
The Oct. 27-30, 2015, International Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work at the fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany, is drawing near. Messe Düsseldorf offers "12 helpful tips" for exhibitors and attendees to get the most out of their A+A experience.
Aiming to help exhibitors and attendees get the maximum benefit while at A+A 2015, the International Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work taking place Oct. 27-30 in Düsseldorf, Germany, host Messe Düsseldorf wants to assist U.S. visitors looking for hotel rooms and/or flights: TTI Travel, Inc. (866-674-3476, fax 212- 674-3477, e-mail [email protected], www.traveltradeint.com).
The host also has compiled the following list of helpful tips:
1. Public transportation is recommended to get to the fairgrounds. From downtown Düsseldorf, Tram No. U78 goes to the North Entrance, Tram No. U79 to the East Entrance and Bus No. 722 serves the East and South Entrances. From the airport, Bus No. 896 connects to all fairgrounds entrances. Visitor, exhibitor, and press entrance passes to the show allow free use of all public transportation on all days of A+A 2015 within the Rhine-Ruhr regional network (VRR) of Düsseldorf. Exhibitors can also ride free of charge two days before and after the show.
2. Taxi fares are made up of a basic flat rate plus a charge per kilometer; fares are generally higher than in the U.S.; for tips: round up to the next full Euro amount (maximum 10%). Taxis must be boarded at taxi stands.
3. Rental cars are available from Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Sixt, and other companies; offices are located at the Düsseldorf airport, the main train station, and several downtown locations. On the main streets in Düsseldorf, "Messe Düsseldorf" signs show the way to the fairgrounds; parking signs will lead to one of the fairgrounds' 12 parking lots.
At the show:
4. Entrance passes and show directories can be purchased online at www.aplusa-online.com at reduced rates (22 euros each for a 1-day ticket) or on site at regular rates (31 euros each for a 1-day ticket).
5. The KATI electronic visitor guidance and information system makes it easy to find the location of every exhibitor and product category; KATI terminals are located in every hall.
6. The exhibit halls are linked by protected walkways, moving sidewalks, and shuttle buses.
7. Located in the middle of the fairgrounds are a food store, hardware store, and telecommunication store (where vouchers for wireless access can be purchased), as well as a post office and travel agency.
8. Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Larger department stores are often open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on Saturday. All stores are closed on Sunday.
9. Banks are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Thursdays to 5:30 p.m.); the euro is the single currency for the European Union Nations, including Germany. The euro comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 bills and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins.
10. Restaurants: Asking for a quick service in a non-fast-food restaurant is considered impolite; water does not accompany the meal but can be ordered by the bottle; tipping: the service charge is included in the bill (but a small tip should be handed to the waitress/waiter directly).
11. A brochure about German business customs and practices can be ordered from Messe Düsseldorf North America free of charge.
For more information on visiting or exhibiting at A+A 2015, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601, telephone 312-781-5180; fax 312-781-5188; e-mail: [email protected].