Some 1,610 exhibitors from 34 countries have signed up to showcase their wares at the Expo Real property fair in Munich next week. The figures is roughly similar to last year's event.

Some 1,610 exhibitors from 34 countries have signed up to showcase their wares at the Expo Real property fair in Munich next week. The figures is roughly similar to last year's event.

Eugen Egetenmeir, managing director of fair organiser Messe München, commented: 'In the wake of the debt crisis, and all the turbulence on the financial markets and in share prices, these figures show that Expo Real, with its focus on investment in commercial property, is proving to be a stabilising force.' The 14th International Trade Fair for Commercial Property and Investment takes place from 4 to 6 October 2011 in Munich.

Taking up a total of six exhibition halls and 64,000 m2 of space, Expo Real covers the same area as last year, but more intensive use is being made of that space, because of increased demand from exhibitors.

Joint stands, where groups of exhibitors from individual countries, regions or cities put on their presentations, continue to be highly popular. Among the countries taking national pavilions in 2011 are Austria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the US. And this year, the hotel sector is enjoying a premiere at Expo Real, with a joint stand on the theme of 'World of Hospitality'.

Mirroring the economic development in Europe, Expo Real has seen a downturn in participation figures from Southern Europe. Contrasting with this, countries in Western and Central Europe are more strongly represented at the fair again: this applies, for example, to Austria, the Netherlands and the UK.

The Netherlands has almost doubled its number of exhibitors, and Amsterdam has a dedicated joint stand. Also exhibiting again after a break are China and Romania. And, Malta is at Expo Real for the first time as an exhibitor.