Sept 8, 2020

With detailed hygiene concepts, the concurrent Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology, Shanghai Smart Home Technology and Parking China opened their doors in the Chinese metropolis between 2 and 4 September. These three events are Asia’s first building-technologies trade fairs to once again welcome visitors during the global pandemic.

The three fairs brought together 25,837 trade visitors and 208 exhibitors on around 20,000 square metres of exhibition space. Thematically, the fairs were dominated by technologies that can make a major contribution to overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, e.g., IoT, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, smart office, smart parking, home safety and security, energy efficiency, 5G, smart cities and, in particular, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technologies.

Pandemic driving trends in the sector

“Particularly interesting this year were the trends that have emerged from the pandemic. For example, the significance of better-connected buildings and offices was underscored by a new standard for working from home. Additionally, people are spending more time in their dwellings. And this, in turn, has led to an increase in demand for intelligent technologies that can be used to improve the living and working environment”, reported Lucia Wong, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd in Hong Kong.

Because the sector is changing rapidly and must react to new advances and innovations, the programme of events proved to be an additional important tool for discovering new opportunities through an interdisciplinary exchange of information. One of the remarkable events was a forum organised by the Intelligent Branch of China Engineering & Consulting Association, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing the intelligent construction industry.

Stagnation is no alternative

“We must learn to cope with the situation and now in particular to strengthen the trade fairs we built up together over the years. The alternative would be stagnation. And that helps nobody," said Wolfgang Marzin, Messe Frankfurt President and CEO, "We want to push ahead at the right speed – by analysing, testing and modifying.” When he mentions ‘modifying’, Marzin is referring to the introduction of hybrid fairs. “Nothing can replace personal encounters. Moreover, nobody is pressuring us to make a choice. So why not build on the best aspects of physical encounters and digital features in the interests of all concerned?”