AGRITECHNICA is the largest farm show in the world, and it is coming to Hanover, Germany, this year. The show is every two years; I was at the last one in 2009. The 2011 show will be Nov. 15-19.

Annette Reichhold is AGRITECHNICA’S marketing manager for North America, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, South Asia and Africa, and she has some tips for American farmers visiting this mega-show. “This year’s AGRITECHNICA promises to be bigger than ever before,” Annette said. “With six new halls added, bringing the total to 24, the exhibition is the world’s largest for agricultural machinery and equipment.”

Going to a show this large can be an overwhelming undertaking, from the airfare and hotel reservations to attending the show itself. Farmers may find using a local travel agency can make planning a trip across international borders much easier. The next place for a visitor to start is at the AGRITECHNICA website, with an array of interesting items on the “Frequently Asked Questions” section that provides details visitors need on travel, tickets and more. Visit www.agritechnica.com/faq-en.htm

“Coming from North America, one should visit the show for at least two to three days to be able to see the more than 2,600 exhibitors that will display their products on almost 100 acres of exhibition surface,” Annette said.

“Visitors may plan their visit conveniently well before landing in Hanover: the AGRITECHNICA exhibitors’ online database of our website enables visitors to find their favorite exhibitors by using a wide range of products as search criteria. One may then create a list of companies to see and plan a route map.”

For easy orientation, an official AGRITECHNICA app should now be available for download to iPhones and Android electronics.

With the huge area a farmer will be covering, Annette said, “It is strongly advised to get prepared for a lot of walking and to wear comfortable shoes to visit the AGRITECHNICA’s 24 halls.”

To assist visitors getting around: “If time is limited, use our frequent shuttle bus service. There will be lots of stops, which will allow you to jump on and off as you wish.”

With new airline luggage limitations, the question arises about what to do with items purchased or literature picked up at the show. Shipping is an option, but an expensive one. “There is a post office directly located on the exhibition’s premises,” Annette said. “However; it is less expensive to take purchases on the plane than to ship them.”

It is still possible to obtain tickets to AGRITECHNICA prior to attending the show. It is a bit cheaper to buy online and there are large group discounts.

“Attendees may benefit from a 3-Euro discount when purchasing tickets online from www.agritechnica.com and printing them out at home. Besides, commissions and further discounts are available for group reservations of minimum 20 tickets,” she explained

Please get in touch with Annette by email at A.Reichhold@dlg.org until the end of October, to learn more.

With many languages being spoken at AGRITECHNICA, U.S. farmers may worry about being able to find their way and get along at exhibits. Annette said it should not be a big deal: “Signposts to and at the show, for trains, et cetera, are displayed in English. Furthermore, many Germans do speak English quite well.”

 Besides the comfortable shoes, casual dress for farmers is just fine. One surprise from the laid-back attitude at most U.S. farm shows will be the formal attire many of the dealers and consultants wear. Also, in keeping with the business atmosphere there, Annette cautioned, “Several exhibitors host visitors with beer. Do not forget that beer in Germany is much stronger than in North America.”

With 24 halls to visit and everyone having their own interests, keeping track of your group is of utmost importance. “It is advised to keep in touch by mobile phone on everyone’s whereabouts and to fix meeting points, such as our International Visitors’ Lounge in Hall 16 G, in case someone gets lost,” she said.

As for food, “At the exhibition grounds there are plenty of places to eat, (but) we suggest taking just a snack at noon and going for dinner somewhere else. Generally, Germany has a good cuisine; we suggest trying a schnitzel or goulash instead of a steak.”

For those visitors who add in an extra day or two to see the sites, Annette had a few suggestions. “It is also a good opportunity to go downtown for some shopping or to visit Hanover’s half-timbered houses. If you have planned a day off to travel around, Celle or Goslar, for instance, are wonderful and romantic places to visit.

“In case you have a couple of days left, we suggest going to Berlin by train (just two hours away); it is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe and it has a fascinating history. Alternatively, Hamburg is a wonderful city, too,” she added.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.