The R+T Asia 2011 in Shanghai surpassed all previous records with its seventh run at the end of March and has proven itself a very successful trade fair for exhibitors.

Even before the official opening, both entrances were crowded in the early morning of the first day. For three days, 13,742 visitors from 51 countries were able to explore more than 16,000 square metres of exhibition space with the stands of 369 exhibitors at the SNIEC (Shanghai New International Exhibition Center), whose modern infrastructure and completed connection to the Shanghai metro system make it a perfect exhibition platform – key factors that explain the significant increase in the number of international exhibitors and visitors.

This year for the first time, international exhibitors were represented with over 2,000 square metres of exhibition space and showed the clear trend to conquer China as a sales market of the future. While observing trade fair visitors from home and abroad, it was interesting to note the significant increase in professionalism and great number of visitors from the Asia-Pacific region. There was particular demand for qualified consultations for establishing new business relationships.

This trend was also reflected in the German Pavilion, which was organised by Messe Stuttgart. ‘Made in Germany’ is in vogue; the cheap product era seems to be over. Each day was dominated by bustling activity at the German group stand, which most certainly is partly due to the new trade fair stand, which was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BWMi). As in previous years, the Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (BVRS) provided assistance and advice to the exhibitors participating in the group stand.

Bernhard Müller, head of international relations for Messe Stuttgart, was more than satisfied with the German Pavilion: "The Chinese exhibitors in particular have significantly caught up in recent years as far as stand construction goes. We've thus taken the opportunity to make a show of force in our presentation to the outside world and make new headway."

Gunter Voigtländer of the BVRS was also very pleased with the new German Pavilion as a visible result of the efforts undertaken by the professional associations supporting R+T and Messe Stuttgart to create more attractive outline conditions for the presentation of the roller shutter/sun protection industry in Asia.

Project manager Manuela Keller announced upcoming further improvements to the exhibitor service in Shanghai in order to make participation in R+T Asia 2012 even easier. From the graphical design of the individual stands to the arrangement of Chinese prepaid cards, German exhibitors will benefit from optimum assistance so that they can fully concentrate on their business.

Assessing their experiences of the show, exhibitors seemed quite satisfied with the course of the trade fair and consistently expected very good follow-up business. The hopes for increasing sales opportunities on the Chinese market were fulfilled on the first morning for Michael Jansen, CEO of Bothe-Hild, with the immediate conclusion of a contract for a glass gallery door in Beijing – a good example of R+T's international ‘event family’, since Bothe-Hild was already able to acquire a large contract last year at R+T Middle East in Dubai.

With the companies Alulux, Becker, Bluepool, BotheHild, Julius Koch, Junkers & Müllers, Kleffmann Verlag, Sunprotex, HueginTrietex and Verotex, the German sector was all in all very well positioned at R+T Asia 2011. The trend for German products is reflected in China not only in the trade fair halls, but is particularly noticeable everywhere in the streets. A considerable number of German products can be seen in the vicinity of the trade show, especially among the upscale local housing. It's interesting to see how the Chinese government is advancing the issues of sustainability, energy efficiency and urbanisation under a green banner. With regard to energy saving, German know-how is particularly appreciated – this is being achieved largely in compliance with German standards. A highly frequented conference visited by high-ranking guests that took place during R+T Asia 2011 showed clearly the aspirations of the government and the Chinese economy.

"With the seventh run of R+T Asia, we were able to show how important it is to also maintain a presence in foreign markets and thus reinforce R+T's position in Stuttgart as the world's leading trade fair," said Bernhard Müller. Messe Stuttgart is well positioned in a strong growth market and is also keeping interested visitors abroad up to speed – those who can't make it to Germany or who are looking for a shorter information cycle in this rapidly growing market.”

The next R+T Asia is taking place from 27-29 March 2012 with a convenient interval following R+T in Stuttgart. The team led by project manager Manuela Keller is back in the starting blocks to offer maximum support to the exhibitors at the German Pavilion or elsewhere in the halls of R+T Asia.

Since R+T Asia 2011 made clear that the interplay of sun protection and windows is becoming more and more important in China as well, the window industry is also being offered a home for the first time at R+T Asia 2012.