Washington – The Department of Commerce will lead the largest-ever US delegation to Hannover Messe, an annual trade event that regularly attracts more than 200,000 attendees from the global business community. For the first time in the event’s history, the United States is the Partner Country for Hannover Messe. President Obama will be the first sitting US President to ever participate in the show.

With recruitment ongoing, the 2016 US delegation currently consists of 177 US companies and research institutions, and 34 state and regional economic development organizations (EDOs). The delegation of 211 entities is the largest US presence ever at Hannover Messe.

“The 2016 Hannover Messe is an unparalleled opportunity, and President Obama’s participation illustrates how important this show will be for the US business community,” said US Ambassador to Germany John B Emerson. “Our Department of Commerce team is consulting with each US exhibitor and we believe their unique products, innovations, and investment opportunities are well suited for the global industrial technology market. Foreign attendees and exhibitors will have the chance to connect with some of the leading American companies and organizations at the event.”

As part of the Partner Country presence, the show will feature US pavilions in five specific industry areas, as well as a US national investment pavilion. The current breakdown of US representation in each pavilion is:

*Digital Factory: 21 companies and organisations

*Energy: 58 companies and organisations

*Industrial Automation: 41 companies and organisations

*Industrial Supply: 41 companies and organisations

*Investment: 34 organizations from 27 US states, and

*Research & Technology: 10 companies and organisations.

More information about Hannover Messe Partner Country status is available at export.gov/hannovermesse