From March 4 to March 9, IBA Group participated in Cebit 2009, the world’s largest ICT tradeshow that was held in Hannover, Germany.

California, US was selected as the official Partner Country of CeBIT 2009. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger opened the event. Governor Schwarzenegger said: “This year marks the first time that a state has been chosen to partner in the conference. Normally, the honor goes to countries like France, Russia, India, or the United States. But, as you know, California is not just another state. We have the world’s largest economy and our nearly $50 billion in high-tech exports last year surpasses every other state in our country.”

Schwarzenegger played a special role at CeBIT 2009. Images of the Governor in his trademark sunglasses were plentiful around the fairgrounds. California, the birthplace of IT in its Silicon Valley, had more than 100 exhibitors displaying at CeBIT, ranking it fifth regionally after Germany, China, Taiwan, and Korea.

Despite a large-scale publicity campaign, the current economic recession affected the Hannover tradeshow. The number of exhibitors declined compared with 2008 from 5,845 representing 77 countries to 4,300 companies from 69 countries.

This year, Czech companies did not have a joint stand assisted by the Czech Government and as a result, the number of Czech exhibitors declined from over 40 to 11. IBA Group had an independent stand at Hall 5 focused on ERP systems, Supply Chain Management, and Vertical Market Solutions. IBA Group was pleased to provide relevant information to prospective customers and to welcome current clients.