One door closes another one opens

After many decades CEBIT Hannover has finally closed it's doors! 

Whilst Hannover was not everybody’s preferred city for many reasons, especially the extortionate prices for very average hotels, over the years CEBIT has grown to become a key tradeshow & meeting point for our industry. IPT are proud to have been a driving force in this tradeshow for the IT, Mobile Phone & Consumer Electronic wholesale industry. We spotted the opportunity to have an industry marketplace back in 2003 when our 1^st area was based in Hall 1. Then we decided to move and combine IT companies with mobile phone traders (most of whom were meeting inside the orangeire café in Hall 25). We formalised the industry by creating an area of stands within Hall 26 (inside the new Planet Reseller).  From here we evolved and grew the areas each year, and they became the focal point for the industry to meet and network.

We remember the early days of CEBIT (for us) 2003 – 2006 and the pressures to get accommodation within 20 miles of Hannover! We have been forced to rent houses in the country and visit local pubs where no one speaks English and witness patrons walking in with rifles (after our initial concern we realised there were shooting ranges downstairs!)

But alas CEBIT is no longer viable after different attempts to revitalise the tradeshow for multiple industries. CEBIT has fundamentally been left behind by major brands in favour of IFA, CES & other events. 

However memories have been made, friendships founded. Thanks for everything CEBIT. 

Read the full press release from CEBIT.