The outlook for the second edition of the digitalBAU trade fair, which will take place from May 31 to June 2, 2022, in Cologne, is promising: at more than 280 companies – including 50 start-ups – exhibitor participation is even slightly above the level of the previous event at the beginning of 2020, and the forum program is completely booked up with 180 speakers. The trade fair for digital solutions in the construction industry is accompanied by an extensive supporting program – with five forums, the Innovation Challenge, the German Construction Award, and numerous networking events – that has grown significantly.
digitalBAU presents software solutions for the entire value chain of the construction industry – from planning and implementation to maintenance, renovation and demolition. The exhibitors include for example BRZ, dormakaba, Hottgenroth, ISD, JUNG, Nemetschek Group and RIB. “Digital solutions for construction projects are in greater demand than ever before. The high level of interest in digitalBAU 2022 shows how important it is for the industry to engage in personal dialogue with top experts from various professional groups. This is why we have put even more focus on networking opportunities for the participants,” says Otto Nowack, Exhibition Director of digitalBAU.
As such, networking events are an important component of the supporting program of digitalBAU, with examples such as Innovation & Start-up Matchmaking, which brings together established construction companies and young start-ups. In turn, the five forums offer collective expert knowledge with lectures and discussions on the subjects of BIM; forward-looking planning, building and operating; smart cities and smart buildings; robotics, AI and production; and research and science. The Innovation Challenge, with a live pitch, is new to the trade fair and will honor the most innovative solutions with an award. Practical trade fair tours are geared toward planners and architects in particular, addressing the opportunities and questions surrounding digital construction. One highlight is the presentation of the German Construction Award (Deutscher Baupreis), with which Bauverlag distinguishes the most innovative companies in the sector.
As an additional platform, digitalBAU supplements the network of the world’s leading trade fair BAU, which takes place every two years in Munich, and thus accounts for the shorter innovation cycles in the digital sector. The premiere at the beginning of 2020 with around 10,000 visitors exceeded all expectations. In 2022, the trade fair was moved to its new date in early summer to ensure greater certainty in planning. A proven safety and hygiene concept of the experienced organizers Messe München and Koelnmesse ensures all visitors can have a safe trade fair experience.
