A total of 1,224 exhibitors (2007: 1,183) from 48 countries (2007: 44) exhibited at the 35th International Fair for Watches, Clocks, Jewellery, Precious Stones, Pearls and Technology this year. The very high level of previous years was also maintained on the trade visitor side. More than 30,000 trade visitors again came to the trade fair grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.
It became clear during the trade fair that manufacturers and retailers/traders remain optimistic with respect to future business developments. One reason for this confidence is based on the high number of orders, which trade visitors made. Especially established exhibitors were again able to increase the high level of business transactions of the previous year.

Manfred Wutzlhofer, Chief Executive Officer of Messe München GmbH: "In spite of the more difficult framework conditions compared to 2007, for example the increase of prices for precious metals, the majority of exhibitors at inhorgenta europe reported good business. This was also certainly supported by the high number of foreign trade visitors. We were able to record a substantial increase especially from Eastern Europe."

Exhibitors presented the current trends, collections, new brands and technologies as well as pioneering marketing concepts deal with all aspects of timepieces and jewelry on the 64,500 square meters. The positive overall course of the trade fair and the good ambience at inhorgenta europe 2008 were also expressed in the TNS Infratest survey. The values only changed slightly compared to the previous year; 52% (59%) of the surveyed exhibitors assessed the current economic situation of the industry as excellent to good, and 75% (83%) stated the same about the future development of the market. Among the visitors, the figures were 57% (62%) and 74% (86%) of those surveyed. Against the background of a no longer so positive market evaluation due to current economic framework conditions, the mood in the halls remained unchanged optimistic compared to the previous years.