HANNOVER, Germany - According to show organizers, display space for LIGNA, the largest woodworking show, is already 75 percent booked for 2023, despite the challenges of rising prices, material shortages and economic uncertainties facing the world's woodworking industry. The biennial trade fair will take place May 15-19 at the fairgrounds in Hannover, Germany.

The 2021 event was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LIGNA 2019 drew more than 90,000 from 100-plus countries. The show is jointly organized by Deutsche Messe and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association.

"This positive trend underscores the importance of LIGNA for the woodworking community as a key networking hub and platform for development and innovation," said Dr. Bernhard Dirr, managing director of the VDMA, referring to the high level of registrations. "After four years, the industry needs this opportunity for face-to-face contact in Hannover. It is all the more gratifying that all market leaders have already made their decision to exhibit at LIGNA 2023 and will be unveiling innovations at the event."

LIGNA’s appeal, organizers said, will be enhanced by digital elements designed to increase the event’s reach – before, during and after the show.

"Based on the current rate of bookings and our discussions over the past few months, we can confirm the high level of loyalty and commitment of our exhibitors towards LIGNA which provides them with the opportunity to perform live demonstrations – not just of machines and tools, but of total solutions covering all aspects of their products and services," said Stephanie Wagner, head of LIGNA.

"We are convinced that, in close cooperation with our exhibitors, the upcoming LIGNA 2023 will continue to be the leading international showcase. Along the entire value chain, innovative solutions for all stages of woodworking and wood processing – from harvesting to surface finishing – will be on display. And this, involving not only wood as a raw material – which is at the core of our LIGNA – but also other materials such as plastics, glass, stone and composites, among others," she added.

Industry upbeat on the upcoming event
Already, exhibitors are expressing their enthusiasm for LIGNA 2023.

"For us at HOMAG, LIGNA is the leading trade fair and a unique platform for presenting innovations to all target groups from craft to industry. We show the entire spectrum from individual machines to plants, software and services and get direct feedback for market-oriented further development from our customers and interested parties," said Achim Homeier, senior director of Global Marketing & Product Management at HOMAG GmbH.

Markus Hüllmann, managing director of Kraft Maschinenbau, added, "As the Kraft Group, we are looking forward to LIGNA 2023. For face-to-face contact with our customers and the opportunity to showcase our innovations – particularly within the context of digitization and sustainability – LIGNA remains the place to be."

Carola Lenkewitz, head of Marketing and Communications at Siempelkamp, noted that personal encounters are the main focus. "LIGNA 2023 - we at Siempelkamp are awaiting the event with great anticipation. After so many years waiting for our leading trade fair to return, we will finally be able to present ourselves to our customers, partners and all interested parties again next year. For us, LIGNA is and will remain a special meeting place as well as a milestone for our developments," Lenkewitz said.

In addition to the opportunity for face-to-face networking and presentations at exhibition stands, LIGNA 2023 also scores high with its focus on current industry developments. Klaus Kullmann, a member of the board of management at Jowat SE, said, "Sustainability is the central theme of our time for our customers as well as for us. By choosing 'Digitization' and 'Wood in Construction' as its focus themes, LIGNA 2023 is addressing important sustainability aspects, presenting new, innovative solutions and thus reaffirming its position as the world’s leading trade show for our industry. For us, LIGNA is the perfect platform for face-to-face exchanges with customers and system partners, so we are delighted to be back as an exhibitor after such a long time."

Summing up, Raphaël Prati, Biesse Group Marketing & Communications director, noted that as the leading trade show for the woodworking and processing industry, LIGNA is simply a "must" event. "LIGNA is innovative, it moves with the times, and it confirms the intention of companies to invest in the entire industrial sector, despite the current challenging times we are facing. LIGNA has succeeded in positioning itself as a reference key point for the global woodworking industry. Its success is based on its ability to adapt to changes in the industry as well as to the latest technological developments."

Prati added, "To highlight the offered benefits and the opportunity for companies to show the results of their investments, it is important that the trade fair not only takes place over five days but that it is carried over a two-year communicative level, with new content and leveraging both physical and digital touchpoints. In this way, the importance obtained over time will be underlined between one edition and another."

LIGNA Stage: Themes that matter to the industry
In addition to exhibits of tool and machinery solutions, LIGNA visitors can also look forward to discussions of highly relevant industry challenges at the LIGNA.Stage. At the LIGNA.Campus, participants will present their educational offers and research projects, and at the LIGNA.Future Square powered by VDMA, startups from the industry will showcase their business ideas. At LIGNA.Recruiting, professionals and companies will have the opportunity to present themselves in a digital job forum and exchange ideas in person.

"Following a four-year break, it is realistic to expect a firework of innovations at LIGNA 2023. LIGNA 2023 will be a must-have-can't-miss event for all of us," Wagner said.

For information about LIGNA 2023, visit ligna.de.