‘EuroTier / EnergyDecentral digital’, DLG’s new digital platform impresses with 41,000 participants over four days – 45 percent international participation – Great interest in the technical program with over 300 specialist events – videos available “on demand” from February 18 to April 15.
(DLG) The debut of “EuroTier / EnergyDecentral digital” concluded today and was adjudged a great success. More than 41,000 participants connected to the digital platform created by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) during the four days of the event (February 9 to 12). In addition to being able to access the offerings of around 1,200 participating companies, the visitors were also able to take part in 300 specialist events and to conduct targeted networking with the industry. Some 45 percent of the participants were located outside Germany.
“With ‘EuroTier / EnergyDecentral digital’, the DLG’s new platform has successfully positioned itself as a digital business network and forum for professional exchange for the national and international agricultural industry. The access and engagement rates speak for themselves. The lively participation in events and the strong interest in the digital technical program are a reflection of the networking competence of the farmers, the industry and our members. The digital format will be a complement to our physical trade fairs in the future,” concluded Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief Executive Officer, DLG.
CURRENT FIGURES AT A GLANCE
- Over 41,000 participants connected to the digital platform over the four days of the event.
- A total of around 255,000 engagements (including 1:1 audio/video calls, 1:1 chats, expo show room visits, user networking) and over 780,000 page impressions were recorded.
- 45 percent of attendees came from outside Germany. In total, 128 countries were represented on the digital platform.
- The investment intention of participants was exceptionally high, at around 2.8 billion euros.
- One reason for this is the high rate of decision-makers – 76 percent – on the platform, shown by current visitor registrations.
DIGITAL TECHNICAL PROGRAM WITH CONVINCING CLICK RATES
Under the guiding theme of “Farming in the food chain,” the organizer, DLG, had set up a technical program with eight parallel online video channels, transmitting more than 300 interactive programs that addressed relevant future topics affecting the global livestock sector and the decentralized energy supply industry. Visitors on the platform were able to interactively participate in numerous talk shows and discussion events. In total, the professional program was visited around 83,000 times during the four days on the platform.
Highlights included digital industry events such as the International Poultry Event, the Cattle & Pig Event and the EuroTier and EnergyDecentral Innovation Award ceremony. A special highlight was the DLG-Wintertagung (‘DLG-Winter Conference’), an important annual event for German farmers, which this year was held in parallel on the DLG Digital Platform hosted by the DLG on 11th February registering over 2,500 attendees.
The “EuroTier / EnergyDecentral digital” was officially opened by German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, who in her opening speech encouraged farmers in Germany to participate in the developments in agriculture and animal husbandry. Klöckner emphasised that it was not just technology or how to reduce workload that constitute the topics of today, but, more importantly, the social acceptance of livestock farming and animal welfare.
Klöckner also noted that the industry is undergoing radical change, which can, however, only be successful and sustainable if done in a proportionate manner with a view to the long-term perspectives for livestock farmers in Germany. Indeed, should the production leave Germany, nothing would be gained, quite the opposite. Neither environmental nor animal welfare issues can be solved by exporting them. Klöckner commented that these issues would be discussed at the world’s leading trade fair, EuroTier.
Hubertus Paetow, President of the DLG, noted that animal husbandry in Germany and Europe will continue to look different in the future than in many other regions of the world. Higher demands on animal welfare and sustainability require different technical concepts. This poses significant challenges for manufacturers and farmers alike. However, it also presents opportunities for those who recognise the trends early on and implement them efficiently. Paetow concluded that in order to maintain this sustainable animal husbandry in Germany, which includes maintaining the economic perspective in global competition will require functioning value chains, which can and must be supported, at least temporarily, with political instruments.
1,200 EXHIBITORS PRESENTED PRODUCTS AND INNOVATIONS
More than 1,200 exhibitors presented information, in real-time, on their range of products and services using various multimedia tools. Exhibitors were also able to network and engage directly with participants via chat and video meetings. In addition to offering new technologies and consulting for livestock farming, the companies’ offerings also included the upstream areas of livestock farming, such as breeding, techniques and farm input, as well as downstream areas, such as processing and distribution channels. Some 200 exhibitors at EnergyDecentral presented innovative solutions for decentralized energy supply, e.g. for the production of biofuels, solid fuels, renewable energy such as photovoltaics, solar energy or wind power, but also technology and consulting for biogas plants.
Exceptional innovations presented by exhibitors eligible for a coveted gold or silver award, were evaluated by an independent jury. The DLG innovation commission conferred the prestigious EuroTier and EnergyDecentral Innovation Awards to the winners during “EuroTIer / EnergyDecentral digital”.
VOICES OF THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES AND PARTNERS
– “The new digital version of EuroTier established a platform for networking the industry and for professional dialogue. The next few months will show how extensive the potential of this platform is for the future. The fact that the content will remain accessible to all participants until the middle of April continues to offer companies an additional channel to their customers.” Bernd Meerpohl, Chairman of EuroTier Expert Advisory Board.
– “As co-organizer of the physical EnergyDecentral trade fair, it was very exciting for the German Biogas Association to be involved in this new digital format. Over four days, we were able to shape the Biogas Forum with current industry topics in the “Energy” Spotlight. It was very gratifying for us to see how well our technical program was received and how lively the audience participated via chat.” Dr. Stefan Rauh, Chief Operating Officer, Fachverband Biogas (German Biogas Association).
CONTENT CONTINUES TO BE AVAILABLE “ON DEMAND”
All content of “EuroTier / EnergyDecentral digital” will be available on the digital platform from February 18 to April 15. Participants will thus continue to have the opportunity to find out about exhibitors’ offerings as well as the content of the technical program. Likewise, they can network with companies via text messages and contact requests, using the platform.
NEXT EUROTIER AND ENERGYDECENTRAL: 15TH TO 18TH NOVEMBER, 2022
The next EuroTier and EnergyDecentral will take place from 15th to 18th November, 2022, at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds, Germany. The trade fair will be complemented by the DLG Digital Platform. EuroTier and EnergyDecentral are hosted by the German Agricultural Society (DLG).