At A+A 2009, more than 1,400 exhibitors from around the world will present the entire spectrum of products and services for personal and work safety — from simple earplugs to complex safety systems, from industrial medical equipment to ergonomic design of the workplace.

Exhibit categories at A+A 2009 will include:

• Safety at Work (including personal protective equipment, protective clothing and safety equipment);
• Health at Work (including medical and rescue equipment, first aid, hygiene and sanitary supplies and ergonomics);
• Security at Work (including fire and radiation protection, safety products/ systems, electrical safety, air pollution control, noise reduction, environmental protection, safety devices for machinery, transport and vehicle safety).

A special feature at A+A 2009 will be the North American Pavilion, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America and co-sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC). This group exhibit provides a cost-effective means for U.S. and Canadian companies to enter into or to expand their business in the lucrative overseas marketplace.

The exhibits will again be supported by the A+A Congress. As part of the congress, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA) will organize an international conference.

When A+A was last held in 2007, 1,460 exhibitors and 55,100 trade visitors took part. About 58% of the A+A 2007 exhibitors were from countries other than Germany. The leading foreign exhibitor nations were Great Britain, Italy, France and China. From the U.S., 40 exhibitors displayed their products at the show.

Helpful tips for A+A 2009

1 — Public transportation is recommended to get to the fairgrounds. From downtown Düsseldorf, Tram No. U78 goes to the North Entrance, Tram No. U79 to the East Entrance and Bus No. 722 serves the East and South Entrances. From the airport, Bus No. 896 connects to all fairgrounds entrances. Visitor, exhibitor and press entrance passes to the show allow free use of all public transportation within the Rhine-Ruhr (VRR) transportation network on all days of A+A 2009 (exhibitors can also ride free of charge two days before and after the show).

2 — Taxi fares are made up of a basic flat rate plus a charge per kilometer; fares are generally higher than in the U.S.; for tips: round up to the next full Euro amount (maximum 10%). Taxis must be boarded at taxi stands.

3 — Rental cars are available from Autohansa, Avia, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt- Budget and other companies; offices are located at the Düsseldorf airport, the main train station and several downtown locations. On the main streets in Düsseldorf, “Messe Düsseldorf” signs show the way to the fairgrounds; parking signs will lead to one of the fairgrounds’ 12 parking lots.

4 — The KATI computerized catalog display system makes it easy to find the location of every exhibitor and product category; KATI terminals are located in every hall.

5 — The exhibit halls are linked by protected walkways, moving sidewalks and shuttle buses.

6 — Located in the middle of the fairgrounds is a food store, hardware store and telecommunication store as well as a post office, bank and travel agency.

7 — Shops are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Larger department stores are often open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on Saturday. All stores are closed on Sunday.

8 — Banks are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Thursdays to 5:30 p.m.); the Euro is the single currency for the European Union Nations, including Germany. The Euro comes in denominations of Euro 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 bills and Euro 1 and 2 and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents coins.

9 — Restaurants: Asking for a quick service in a non fast-food restaurant is considered rude; water does not accompany the meal but can be ordered by the bottle; tipping: service charge is included in the bill (a small tip should be handed to the waitress/waiter directly).

10 — A brochure about German business customs and practices can be ordered from Messe Düsseldorf North America free of charge.

Update: Entrance passes for A+A 2009, International Trade Fair for Safety, Security and Health at Work, are now available from Messe Düsseldorf North America at reduced rates. When ordered in advance of the show, a one-day entrance pass cost $28 each. Show directories can also be ordered for $24 each. A+A 2009 will take place from November 3 - 6, 2009 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. Visitor, exhibitor and press entrance passes can be used as a free public transportation ticket on all buses, streetcars, underground trams (U-Bahn), urban railways (S-Bahn) and German rail service within the Rhine-Ruhr regional network (VRR) of Düsseldorf.

To order an A+A 2009 entrance pass and/or show directory, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna. com; Visit our Web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog at http://www.mdna.com/blog/; Follow us on twitter at info@mdna.com; www.mdna.com

HOW TO ATTEND: Entrance passes and show directories can be purchased online at www.aplusa-online.de in advance of the show at reduced rates (Euro 20 for a 1-day e-ticket or Euro 20 plus postage for a 1-day pass) or onsite in Düsseldorf at regular rates (Euro 25 for a 1-day pass). Show directories cost Euro 17. For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc., (866) 674-3476, email: contact@traveltradeint.com, www.traveltradeint.com.