Messe Düsseldorf North America co-hosts XPONENTIAL for the first time

In early May, visitors and exhibitors will be able to experience the largest event acquisition in Messe Düsseldorf’s history - live and in person - in the U.S.: for the first time, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicles International (AUVSI) and Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA) will jointly host XPONENTIAL, the world’s leading trade show for uncrewed systems and robotic technology. When the industry’s leading innovators gather in Denver, Colorado, to showcase the many uses of uncrewed vehicles, robots and related technologies, they’ll also impact the various industries represented at Düsseldorf’s world-leading trade shows. In turn, synergies and networks from those shows will contribute to the event’s future growth, accelerating the spread of uncrewed systems and robotics across industries. Beyond solidifying its own position as an event organizer in North America, Messe Düsseldorf is thus seizing a key emerging topic for its customers.

Düsseldorf, April 27, 2023. Messe Düsseldorf’s growth strategy in the mobility sector is taking shape: XPONENTIAL, the leading U.S. trade show for uncrewed vehicles and robotic technology will open its doors at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from May 8 to 11, 2023, celebrating its 50th anniversary. On board as co-organizer is the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), which founded XPONENTIAL and hosts it annually at rotating locations across the U.S. The joint event is part of a new, comprehensive partnership between Messe Düsseldorf North America and AUVSI, with MDNA acquiring a 60 percent stake in the XPONENTIAL trademark rights in 2022. “With this event acquisition – the largest in the history of Messe Düsseldorf – we’re seizing a key emerging topic with excellent growth potential,” says Wolfram N. Diener, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The technology offers promising opportunities, which we’ll make accessible to the exhibitors of our world-leading trade shows in Düsseldorf. At the same time, we’re developing new target groups for the uncrewed systems industry. These synergies along with our global network will serve to expand the thematic range covered at XPONENTIAL, take it to new markets and bolster its leading position.”

Assured growth
The volume of the global drone market illustrates the high potential of uncrewed systems. Industry revenue is expected to rise from $30.6 billion in 2022 to $55.8 billion in 2030, nearly doubling with an increase of 82.4 percent. Technological advancements, adaptation to various industrial applications and increasing customer interest are the drivers of this growth. “This trend will continue as drones are used in more and more sectors – from construction and real estate to energy and mining to agriculture, the movie industry and security,” explains Brian Wynne, President & CEO of AUVSI. “XPONENTIAL and the entire uncrewed systems industry will benefit from Messe Düsseldorf’s strong reach across the industries represented at its flagship world trade shows.” These include GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST (“The Bright World of Metals”) for the metallurgy and foundry industries; wire and Tube; VALVE WORLD EXPO; and A+A, the occupational safety and health show. “Among other uses, drones can be deployed to carry out inspections and measurements in hazardous environments that previously had to be done by humans. This can protect or even save lives,” emphasizes Wynne. Add to that the retail trade shows EuroShop and EuroCIS: “The greatest potential certainly lies in the transport of goods – both within cities and to very remote locations.”

Growth in North America
For MDNA, the first joint XPONENTIAL is a special event also because it represents the starting point for further growth on the American continent. To date, MDNA organizes one trade show on its own, VALVE WORLD AMERICAS in Houston, Texas, and is involved in the plastics trade show COLOMBIAPLAST and the medical-technology trade show MEDITECH in Colombia. Moreover, the company organizes “USA Pavilions” at trade shows in Düsseldorf and is the international link for U.S. companies, assisting with everything necessary to attend or exhibit at trade shows organized by Messe Düsseldorf worldwide. “In the future, we want to play an even bigger role as an organizer of our own shows. XPONENTIAL is a major milestone on our growth path,” says Tom Mitchell, MDNA’s President. “This high-profile show is not only a perfect stage for exhibitors, but also a testament to our expertise as an organizer.”

High-caliber lineup at XPONENTIAL 2023
The first joint XPONENTIAL by MDNA and AUVSI will display the vast range of uncrewed and autonomous technologies. From May 8 to 11, 2023, more than 600 companies will present their products and services on 9,000 square meters (97,000 square feet) of exhibition space in Denver. With this year’s theme “Building the Blueprint for Autonomy,” the accompanying trade conference will feature more than 165 hours of educational programming with 21 different workshops, 78 standalone presentations and 46 panel discussions with top-notch speakers. Says Tom Mitchell, “Together with AUVSI, we’ll showcase the perfect symbiosis of technical expertise and international trade show competence at XPONENTIAL 2023.”

Media Contact:
Dr. Andrea Gränzdörffer
Director Corporate Communications / Press Spokesperson
Phone: 0211/4560-555
Email: graenzdoerffera@messe-duesseldorf.de

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