Berlin IT trade fair premiere: Gitex Europe starts with big ambitions

The new technology trade fair is positioning itself as a European alternative to established industry events and aims to become the continental market leader within three years.

Strategic expansion of a trade fair empire

The Gitex trade fair, which has been established in Dubai since 1981, is expanding its global portfolio to include a European location. With over 1,400 companies from 80 countries in six halls of the Berlin exhibition center, the premiere event is already demonstrating considerable market resonance. The organizers from Dubai are cooperating with the state of Berlin and are jointly investing a low single-digit million amount in the long-term establishment of the trade fair. Trade fair director Trixie LohMirmand formulates the ambitious goal: "In perhaps two or three years, we want to be the largest tech trade fair in Europe."

Political momentum for digitalization agenda

The trade fair receives prominent political support. Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) welcomes the choice of Berlin as the host city, while Thomas Jarzombek (CDU), State Secretary in the new Ministry for Digital and State Modernization, emphasizes the parallels between start-up culture and his department: "We talk a lot about start-ups here and we are actually building one right now." This statement illustrates the federal government's reform ambitions in the area of digitalization.

AI focus as a thematic bracket

Artificial intelligence dominates the content of the first Gitex Europe. France's AI Minister Clara Chappaz emphasizes the strategic importance of Franco-German cooperation: "France and Germany have a unique opportunity to create innovations together." Her meeting with Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger underlines the European dimension of AI development. Wildberger wants to develop Germany into the "driving force of Europe" in digitalization.

International participant structure

The spectrum of exhibitors ranges from German market leaders such as Ionos to global technology groups such as IBM and AWS. Around 500 experts will shape the accompanying program of keynotes and panel discussions. In addition to AI, the thematic focus will also include digital sovereignty and IT security - areas of high geopolitical relevance.

Benchmarking with Dubai parent event

Gitex Dubai recorded over 200,000 visitors over five days of events in October 2024, demonstrating the potential of the trade fair concept. Alia al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, emphasizes the unifying function of Gitex: "Gitex has always been a place where people come together."

The Berlin premiere is positioning itself as a platform for technology transfer, start-up promotion and attracting investors. With several 10,000 visitors expected over the three days of the event, Gitex Europe aims to establish itself as a permanent fixture in the European trade fair calendar and strengthen Berlin as a technology hub.