#HM24 opening ceremony •• insglück delights with innovative indoor drone show
For the fourteenth time, the creative agency insglück was responsible for the realization of the opening event of the Hannover Messe and developed both the narrative idea and the staging concept of the opening show. A special highlight this year was the first-time use of “Flying Screens”, a new technology in which LED screens were moved freely in space by drones.
More than 4,000 exhibitors demonstrate how climate neutrality can be achieved through electrification, digitalization and automation at the Hannover Messe from 22 to 26 April 2024. The slogan: “Energizing a Sustainable Industry.” Over 2,500 guests were invited to the opening ceremony - traditionally held on the evening before the trade fair - in the hall of the Hannover Congress Center. These included high-ranking political figures such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. More than 200 CEOs from leading industrial companies and around 300 international media representatives were also present.
Flying Screens
In collaboration with Nocturne® Drones, the team brought a highly sophisticated and unique indoor drone show to the stage. In a “symphony of networking”, a performer acted as a “conductor” and controlled the flying screens with her movements. The drones served as triggers to reflect the themes of the #HM24 and to stage the motto of the trade fair “Energizing a Sustainable Industry”. During the show, the individual topics automation, digitalization, and electrification were presented and bundled in an impressive finale, which was rounded off by the unique charisma of dancer Aischa Dawn Ibrahim. The captivating production combined visual effects with a captivating narrative, perfectly synchronized with the media of the set design.
“The use of this new technology, the intuitive interaction of the dancer with the drones, the complex choreography and the specially produced music have developed their very own fascination and enthusiasm”
The show posed high-security requirements. Given the use of industrial drones at an indoor event, the show required intensive coordination, not only between the trades, but especially with the security authorities. "We have been a partner of Deutsche Messe AG since 2008 and have staged over 20 openings for Hannover Messe and CeBIT since then. Time and again, the aim is to bring technical innovations from industry and the digital world to the big stage. The new development of the “Flying Screens” and their advanced technology represents precisely the aspects that characterize the Hannover Messe: The joy of innovation and pioneering spirit,” says Christoph Kirst, CSO of insglück.
Norwegian Singer Dagny as a Musical Highlight
The collaboration with this year's partner country Norway was also outstanding: As a cultural contribution, Norway sent the now internationally renowned singer Dagny on stage, whose songs have already been streamed over a billion times. She captivated the audience with her performance of her two best-known songs “Somebody” and “Love you like that” and was able to get all the guests, including the prominent front row, to sing along.
Sustainability in the Spotlight
Sustainability was once again a focus in the implementation of the opening ceremony this year. Thanks to the smart use of modern, energy-efficient technology, electricity consumption was reduced by 15 percent compared to the previous year. “Zero waste”: Rented material was used for the stage almost exclusively, which was later returned to storage. The remaining CO2 footprint was offset by our partner atmosfair.
Photo by Christian Drost
