As focus begins to shift toward the most important international exhibition for the foundry industry – GIFA/NEWCAST/METEC/THERMPROCESS 2019 (GMTN) – that takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany, if you are involved in any way in the South African foundry industry you are encouraged to attend the world’s number one foundry exhibition and its accompanying conferences. The exhibition only takes place on a four-year cycle, so it is even more important to attend if you wish to keep up-to-date with the trends in the foundry industry.

With 2 000 exhibitors and around 78 000 metalworking professionals expected to attend from around the world, Düsseldorf, Germany will once again become a hotspot for international foundry and metalwork technology from 25 to 29 June 2019. Under the slogan “The Bright World of Metals”, the trade fair quartet, comprising GIFA, NEWCAST, METEC and THERMPROCESS, covers the entire spectrum both in-depth and with a wide scope, ranging from foundry technology, casting products, metallurgy and thermal processing technology.

But what would this international quadruple trade fair be without its extensive supporting programme for experts? The international conferences, symposiums and industry meetings are unique platforms for expertise, bringing theory and practice together and offering an amazing opportunity to network and exchange with other tradespeople.

More hotel options added – five to choose from
Trade Fair Tours, a specialist travel agency for trade fairs internationally and in particular Germany, in conjunction with the SA German Chamber of Trade and Industry and Castings SA have put together a very reasonable tour package to visit this exhibition.

The tour includes return airfare Johannesburg/Düsseldorf, airport taxes, airport/hotel transfer, accommodation, full breakfast daily and medical and travel insurance. However, if you wish to book your own flight read on further for details on hotel options.

Hotel accommodation
Due to the extremely positive response from clients who travelled in 2011 and 2015, we were asked by numerous clients to again book rooms at the Lindner Hotel Rheinresidenz. Although the hotel has been taken over by the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) and renamed the Indigo Hotel (www.hotelindigo.com) we are pleased to confirm that we are holding a substantial room allotment.

The hotel is located a short walk from the banks of the River Rhine, and a 15 minute walk to the Alstadt and famous shopping at Konigsallee. The “U” Bahn station, “Nordstrasse” is located 350m from the hotel and then it is just a seven-minute journey direct to Messe Düsseldorf.

The second hotel choice and more economical option, is to stay at the two star, tourist class Ibis Hotel Hauptbahnhof (www.ibishotels.com). As the name implies, the hotel is adjacent to the main rail station, where the journey time to Messe Düsseldorf is only 15 minutes. The famous Old Town (Altstadt) and Konigsallee are a short walk away. Accommodation is reserved in twin bed or single rooms, with buffet breakfast.

Option three is the 3-star Novum Plaza Düsseldorf Zentrum (www.novum-hotels.com/hotel-plaza-duesseldorf). The small modern hotel is a short walk to the Rhine and Altstadt located in the city centre, 350m from the main train station where you catch the U-Bahn directly to the exhibition grounds.

Option four is the economy class Ibis Hotel Duisburg Duisburg (www.ibishotels.com), an ideal hotel for the budget conscience client. The hotel is situated next to the Duisburg main train station, offering an excellent rail service to Düsseldorf City in 12 minutes, the Messe takes 35 minutes and Düsseldorf airport is only 10 minutes away.

Option five is the 4-star Hotel Rheinterrassen Benrath (www.rheinterrassebenrath.de).
This delightful, family owned hotel since 1967 is located to the south of Düsseldorf overlooking the River Rhine, adjacent to Benrath Palace. A short 300m walk takes you to the U-Bahn station, located 10km from the Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof where you will change trains to go to the fairgrounds.

Hotel option only
However, if you wish to make your own flight bookings and only take up the hotel booking option Trade Fair Tours is willing to accommodate you.

Trade Fair Tours is also able to offer you individual packages, tailored to your requirements. For more information contact Peter Stephenson on the details below. Booking forms can also be downloaded from the website.

Accommodation in Düsseldorf is at a premium during the exhibition period. With 250 to 300 South Africans visiting the exhibition the booking of the rooms on offer from Trade Fair Tours will be done on a first paid first served basis.

As with all Trade Fair Tours packages holders of the exhibition entrance tickets are allowed free travel on the Düsseldorf network, and this includes Duisburg.

Entrance passes allow free public transportation
For GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS AND NEWCAST 2015, Messe Düsseldorf offers a service to all exhibitors and attendees. Prepaid visitor, exhibitor and press entrance passes allow free use of all public transportation within Düsseldorf on all days of the shows.

The entrance passes can be used as a free public transportation ticket on all buses, streetcars, underground trams (U-Bahn), urban railways (S-Bahn) and the German rail service within the Rhine-Ruhr regional network (VRR – 2nd class).

Further details on the entrance tickets and ordering of the exhibition catalogues can be obtained from the Southern African German Chamber of Trade and Industry on TEL: 011 486 2775, email: info@germanchamber.co.za or visit the website: www.germanchamber.co.za

Trade Fair Tours
For a booking form contact Trade Fair Tours on TEL: 083 547 1147 (between 07h00 and 13h00) or email peter@tradefairtours.com or visit www.tradefairtours.com