After a long forced break, the SaaleBAU trade fair was relaunched at the HALLE MESSE exhibition center. From March 17 to 19, around 170 exhibitors presented new trends, products and services, as well as customized solutions for the home, apartment and garden.
SaaleBAU was opened on Friday with a podium discussion: Sven Haller (state secretary), Thomas Keindorf (president of the chamber of trade), Peter Nitschke (president of the construction industry association) and Marko Mühlstein (managing director of the state energy agency) discussed the current challenges facing the construction industry. They reflected on the situation very openly and authentically from their perspective and formulated tasks that urgently need to be solved. The uncertainty is high in view of the constant new announcements from Berlin and Brussels. But: Pessimism is not the order of the day, the trade is looking optimistically to the future and is providing its customers with feasible and economical solutions, especially when it comes to energy efficiency measures. The discussion, moderated by Stephan Baier (Funkhaus Halle), was followed by a rapidly growing number of visitors crowding around the podium, paying close attention. In the afternoon, Dr. Lydia Hüskens, Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, visited the trade fair and talked to many exhibitors at their stands. Impressed by the breadth of what was on offer, she was delighted that SaaleBAU had got off to a successful restart.
The weekend in particular was used by locals and visitors to the city, who also took on longer journeys, to find out more about new and existing buildings, modernization and redesign. Many came with specific plans and projects, sought advice and, together with the exhibitors, looked for a timely implementation. “Modernizing heating systems was the hot topic,” emphasized Lothar Dieringer, adding: ”The heating industry is in high demand and was one of the main topics. There is a great need for advice on converting oil and gas systems; in the interest of customers, we are jointly seeking cost-effective solutions.” There was also plenty to do at the investment bank's stand: “We were literally inundated with questions about financing and funding,” said Christian Ballerstedt happily. Michael König (Energieinsel GmbH) had a similar view: “The main topic for us was the increase in the value of real estate, as well as enquiries about the multigenerational house, among other things.”
Overall, the exhibitors were pleased with the popularity of the trade fair. “People were hungry and there is definitely movement in the market,” summarized Frank Rocktäschel (Wavlex Infrarot), looking positively into the future. This was also evident in the area of property design and gardens. Inspired by the arrival of spring, the offers and ideas for garden design, with new furniture and whirlpools, helpful garden technology and selected plants, were well received.
After the fair is before the fair: the next SaaleBAU will take place from March 15 to 17, 2024. Until then, HALLE MESSE invites you to further events.
