A+A 2011, the leading International Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work posted record last week when it took place from 18 - 21 October. 60,100 trade visitors, the highest number in the event's history (2009: 55,800), gathered information on current trends and product innovations in the field of occupational health and safety and the implementation of smooth-running operational procedures from the 1600 exhibitors from 54 countries featured at the trade fair.

One in four visitors came from abroad and the event saw a significant rise particularly from countries in South and Central America. "This result has further extended A+A's global standing as ‘Safety's No. 1'. No other sectoral event offers such a complete product overview and sets so many trends in the sector thanks to its opportunity for intense exchange between experts," says Messe Düsseldorf Managing Director Joachim Schäfer summing up the result and variety of innovations on show. Klaus Bornack,

Chairman of the Trade Fair Advisory Board and Managing Director at Bornack GmbH & Co. KG, also reported on the constructive talks held here between suppliers and their customers: "No corners are cut when it comes to staff health and safety. High-quality safety products not only provide better protection, they also enjoy greater user acceptance levels which means they are also in greater demand. The intense exchange with customers at A+A also provided valuable input in terms of further product development."

According to the organisers, exhibitors at A+A displayed great innovative flair showcasing a wealth of new products and services. Product highlights this time included protective clothing and products especially for women (e.g. protective overshoes with steel caps for high heels, feminine overalls or even safety helmets in fashionable colours with decorative appliqués), the ergonomically perfect office or assembly work station - adaptable to individual physical, acoustic and visual requirements - as well as compact and yet very high-performing measuring equipment for gauging levels of pollutants.

The A+A Congress attracted over 5000 participants and offered a range of topical themes on social developments, upcoming reforms at national and international level, technical and organisational innovations as well as new scientific findings.

For instance, the Autumn Conference of the Society of Ergonomics (Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaften - GfA) held as part of the A+A Congress discussed to what extent new concepts on work schedules and organisation can meet increasing staff demands in terms of flexibility and mobility. Adding an international touch was the conference organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO - a specialised agency within the UN) featuring several hundred participants and the "German-Polish Dialogue on Occupational Safety".

In focus were the two countries' national occupational safety strategies and the convergence of the markets for personal protective equipment, for instance in terms of overriding norms and guidelines within the European internal market. Poland was the partner country at A+A 2011.

The next A+A will be held in Düsseldorf from 5 - 8 November 2013.