In mid-November 2024, 51,291 visitors and 1,114 exhibiting companies came together in the Franconian city of Nuremberg, where, once again, the focus was on smart and digital automation. In a total area covering 125,000 sqm, automation specialists presented a comprehensive range of products, innovations and solutions to a thoroughly satisfied audience.
The SPS trade show is the absolute highlight within the industry. Exhibiting companies, from start-ups to key players, and highly qualified visitors have been meeting here for over 30 years to exchange ideas in person, maintain business relationships and enter into new collaborations. 87% of exhibitors have taken part in SPS more than once, and 94% describe the event as either important or very important to their company.
“We see the SPS as the jewel in the crown among trade shows in the field of automation. The entire industry keeps a keen eye on the event, and everyone is there. As Felix Kranert, head of Offer Marketing Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, said, “That makes it the perfect event for presenting products and talking to customers and partners.”
Philip Privalov, from business development at STIWA AMS, also confirmed the positive results. “We regard the SPS as an annual highlight, where we can present innovative solutions in the field of shopfloor software and production digitization while also establishing valuable contacts. This is where the best minds in the industry come together to shape the future of manufacturing.”
Julia Gieseler, head of marketing at eks Engel FOS & Co. KG added, “The SPS is, and will remain, the industry’s highlight of the year. Despite the currently challenging economic situation, the trade show made a fantastic impression – with great organization, innovative exhibitors and a wonderful opportunity for engaging with other players in the sector. For us as exhibitors, it was once again an excellent platform for promoting pioneering solutions and partnerships.”
International participation at a consistently high level
International participation among exhibitors was 40%, slightly higher than in the previous year. Following Germany, the top five exhibitor countries were China, Italy and the USA, with 4th place being shared by Switzerland and Austria. Taiwan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom came in fifth. There was also an increase in visitors compared to the SPS 2023, with the largest number of international attendees coming from Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
Strong demand for specialist information
The figures for the 2024 presentation program clearly show that exchanging know-how plays an important role at the trade show: A total of 5,610 participants attended 172 presentations at the trade show forums. At the four trade show forums, attendees were able to expand their knowledge and find out about current trends and innovations during fascinating presentations, innovative product presentations and practice-oriented podium discussions.
The next edition of SPS will take place in Nuremberg from 25 to 27 November 2025.
