Electronica Final Report 2024 Despite Economic Challenges, the Electronics Industry Proves Resilient and Innovative

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Despite economic challenges in Germany, Electronica 2024 reaffirmed its status as a global innovation hub for the electronics sector. Drawing 3,480 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors, the trade fair provided a dynamic platform for industry leaders, startups, and experts to exchange ideas and showcase groundbreaking technologies.

After four days of the trade fair, Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Managing Director of Messe München, draws an extremely positive conclusion: "For 60 years, electronica has been the central meeting point for the international electronics industry. This year too, the fair in the technology location Munich impressively demonstrated the innovative strength of the industry. In the halls, one could experience how future technologies are already taking shape today - from intelligent energy solutions to smart mobility—and the crucial role the electronics industry plays as a driver on this path."

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Even though the electronics and digital industry is currently navigating difficult waters, the current economic slowdown does not call into question the megatrends of electrification, digitization, and automation, as well as the vision of the All Electric Society, according to Dr. Gunther Kegel, President of the Association of the Electrical and Digital Industry (ZVEI), regarding the current situation of the industry. "I am confident that things will pick up again, even for electronic components, which have significantly lost revenue in Germany after very good years. It is important that the framework conditions in Germany improve quickly."

"As international as ever": The industry's spirit of innovation remains unbroken

"The electronica 2024 was more international than ever. We are very pleased that the trade fair took place again at the high level before the pandemic and that the mood was very positive despite the challenging times," says Project Manager Katja Stolle. "Walking through the halls and in conversations, one could feel the typical electronica spirit again," adds Caroline Pannier, Deputy Exhibition Director, who will take over the management of the electronica from December. The satisfaction of the participants with the fair is also confirmed by the results of the exhibition survey. "The electronica 2024 set new standards in its 60th year: sold-out halls, qualified customer discussions, and excellent visitor numbers," said Philip Harting, Chairman of the electronica Advisory Board and CEO of the HARTING Technology Group. "The electronica is THE beacon and dynamic-innovative driving force of the international electronics industry. We are already looking forward to the electronica 2026."

High-caliber trade fair opening

Already on the day before the fair, two program highlights provided a strong start to electronica. The electronica Automotive Conference brought together international professionals and executives from the entire supply chain to discuss the current challenges facing the industry. In the evening, the renowned CEO Roundtable followed with CEOs Jean-Marc Chery (STMicroelectronics), Jochen Hanebeck (Infineon Technologies), and Kurt Sievers (NXP Semiconductors), along with Invited Guest Barbara Bergmeier (Executive Director Industrial Operations of Jaguar Land Rover). They emphasized, among other things, the importance of international collaboration in the chip industry and discussed how artificial intelligence can contribute to stable supply chains.

Knowledge transfer and the talents of tomorrow

Concentrated expertise and new impulses were offered by the extensive supporting program of electronica. On six stages, experts delivered application-oriented lectures on nearly all fields of electronics. New additional focuses in the forum program were AI Machine Learning, Industrial Control, and Women in Tech. The topics of sustainability and circular economy were of high importance, whether in lectures, panel discussions, or special tours. Another focus was on the talents of tomorrow: the Fast Forward platform provided a stage for selected start-ups to present their innovations, while the Career Area offered personal consulting services and an online job exchange about career opportunities in the electronics industry. The Young Talents Day for pupils and students on the last day of the trade fair was also very well received.

SEMICON Europa completes the fair

As a fitting complement to electronica, exhibitors at SEMICON Europa simultaneously presented products and solutions for semiconductor manufacturing in two halls. "SEMICON Europa, which strategically took place alongside electronica, brought together industry leaders from the entire supply chain to provide insights into the advances driving sustainable growth in the semiconductor sector," said Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe. "Record visitor numbers and a sold-out exhibition space—SEMI is very pleased with this year's results."

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Electronica 2024 in numbers

3,480 exhibitors traveled from 59 countries and regions, 76 percent of them from abroad. Around 80,000 visitors came from about 100 countries and regions, with a foreign share of 54 percent. The top ten visitor countries after Germany were: Italy, China, France, Austria, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Switzerland, USA, Spain, Netherlands, and Poland.

The next electronica will take place from November 10 to 13, 2026. (sg)