Hannover. Strong opening phase, positive mood, good business prospects: CeBIT 2009 has got off to a resounding start and reaffirmed its unique importance for the international ICT industry. 'We are completely satisfied with the start of this year's show,' said Ernst Raue, member of the Deutsche Messe Managing Board, speaking in Hannover on Thursday. 'The spark of optimism was already clearly apparent at the opening event on the eve of the show.'

The mood among exhibitors and visitors was decidedly positive throughout the first few days of the show. 'Against the backdrop of the current recession, companies are pinning their hopes on CeBIT 2009. They have come to Hannover with the goal of doing business - and have been rewarded with success. In view of the current recession, however, no one can expect to achieve record results,' Raue emphasized.

The opening event, with its lineup of high-profile speakers, sent out a strong signal. With great determination the 4,300 exhibitors from 69 countries then set to work at the Hannover Exhibition Center. Raue expressed his special thanks to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his visit to Hannover and his strong support. 'His optimism and willpower have been an inspiration to a great many people', Raue said. 

CeBIT has clearly enhanced its profile as a B2B fair. 'The thematic focus on solutions and applications has become firmly established. Even more so than in the past, companies are sending their IT decision-makers to Hannover,' Raue said. As an example he cited the 'CIO Colloquium', an independent network representing the chief IT officers of Germany's major enterprises and institutions. 'The CIO Colloquium is making its first appearance at CeBIT - with the goal of conducting business at the highest possible level.' In the coming days the emphasis will be on how to harness the many opportunities presented by CeBIT and hence loosen the grip of the economic crisis.

On Friday, in the context of the Future Day for the Skilled Trades, SMEs will be able to explore the opportunities for maintaining and improving competitiveness. On Thursday and Friday leading experts from the healthcare sector will gather at the TeleHealth Congress, where they will discuss IT applications in the field of medicine.

The CeBIT Global Conferences will center on the emerging 'Webciety'. Around 300 attendees are expected at 'pre:publica' - one of the largest blogger events in Germany and a further 'first' at CeBIT. At the weekend, at the new special display 'Citizens Meet Administrators', visitors will be able to evaluate the existing possibilities for electronic communication with public authorities.