FRANKFURT – If you are heading to Prolight + Sound/Musikmesse 2013, Frankfurt’s gargantuan music/pro audio and lighting trade show set for April 10-13, 2013, here are a few words of advice from George Petersen, editor of PLSN’s affiliate FRONT of HOUSE magazine. Since these tips apply to anyone traveling to the show, we’ve included them on PLSN.com as well as fohonline.com.
PREFLIGHT CHECK
This may sound silly, but make sure your passport is current. Years ago, I did a Musikmesse trip with a business associate whose passport actually expired while we were in Germany and he didn’t notice until Saturday—the day before we were set to return, so he had to stay a couple extra days and get things straightened out with the US consulate before he could go home. That scenario might be rare, but check your passport well before you leave and avoid the hassles. Also before you leave, make a photocopy of your passport and keep it with you in case yours get lost. Having that copy makes the process of getting a replacement easier. And while you’re at it, make sure you grab your passport when you leave for the airport on departure day!
While you’re packing, you might want to bring a AC plug adapter for your laptop/charger, assuming your computer/charger can run on 220 volts (many—though not all—can).
Most larger hotels have low-wattage bathroom shaver outlets that are switchable to 110 VAC, but it’s not a sure thing — and these won’t handle high-draw devices like hairdryers. You can get a plug adapter at most travel/luggage shops, or if you get stuck, you may be able to borrow an adapter and/or a 220-to-110 volt transformer from the hotel. Whatever, you do, be careful before you connect any 110V devices to a very unforgiving 220V socket.
Your suitcase and attaché probably have name tags on them, but your stateside address doesn’t do much good once you’re in Europe. Always mark your bags with your hotel name (and stay dates) as well as a tradeshow name/booth number, just in case they get lost along the way. If you’re not exhibiting, you can always put the name of someone you know who does have a booth, where it could be returned if you lose it during the show.
ONCE YOU’RE THERE
Assuming you’ve made it all the way to Frankfurt, you’re almost there. You’ll need Euros. Currently the rate is $1.28 = 1 Euro, well improved over some years ago when it was $1.50 = 1 Euro. Always pick up some Euros on arrival from an airport ATM, which in German is called a “Geldautomat.” These Geldautomats are a common site all over Frankfurt (including several within the Messe site) and are a convenient way to get local cash. Most taxis (not all) also accept credit cards.
From the airport you can either get a taxi or catch the S-Bahn (subway) to get you into town. If you’re unsure which station is closest to your hotel, you can always just take the S-Bahn to the main Hauptbahnhof (train station) and grab a cab to your hotel from there.
Many Germans speak at least some English. You should always carry a copy of the name/address of your hotel in your wallet. This way you can always show it to a taxi driver who has trouble understanding you, and it helps get you back to where you need to go.
FREE TRANSPORT!
On show days, your Musikmesse/PL+S badge also works as a free pass for local public transit, including U-Bahn/S-Bahn (subway), streetcars and buses.
Also, there’s a convenient S-Bahn station inside Messe in the central Torhaus. The system is relatively easy to navigate, with numbered and color coded routes, that make it easy, even if you don’t speak German. But be aware that Frankfurt’s transit system operates on the honor system; there are substantial fines if you don’t have a pass or ticket, so make sure you have your show badge. CLICK HERE to view/download a Frankfurt Subway Map in case you want to check out the routes in advance.
THE CHEAPER CAB RIDE
The transit system is great, but in the morning if you need to take a cab to the Messe grounds and you’re coming from the general direction of the city center or the train station, have the driver take you to the Marriott Hotel instead. From there, simply walk across the street and enter the show near Halle 5.1. Those few steps will save you a lot of time and cash, as you’ll avoid an additional half-mile route down the congested street that the cabs must take get to a legal place to make a U-turn and return back to the Maritim Hotel/Messe Hall 5.1 entrance.
HALL… TO HALL… TO HALL
Getting from Hall 9 to Hall 5 can be a hassle and take forever, especially using the packed moving sidewalks and escalators. Instead, walk downstairs and hop on a free shuttle bus. These arrive every 90 seconds, looping though the fairgrounds and stopping at each hall. Several of the halls are stacked above each other, so getting around this huge tradeshow isn’t so problematic, once you get it figured out. There are also some quick shortcuts, like the stairs in the back of Hall 4.1 that take you directly to the shuttle level, rather than walking through the entire hall to the front where you take the escalator down.
IT’S SNACK TIME
Messe has some 20 restaurants of all types, from snackbars and cafeterias to pub, sushi and steakhouse eateries and some small outdoor hotdog/bier stands. Of all, the best is Rotisserie (open 11-6pm), which has table service and decent food. It’s small, but at the end of Hall 6.1, it’s fairly quiet and perfect for a business lunch, although somewhat hard to find, which is probably a plus. For a full list of Messe dining, click on MESSE DINING IDEAS and plan out a couple places for your lunch excursions.
DISAPPEARING CABS
The cab stand by the Maritim Hotel/Musikmesse Hall 5.1 entrance is convenient. However, by 6pm all the cabs have long since vanished and the cab wait can be 30 minutes — even longer if the weather’s bad. The same applies to the nearby Marriott. If you’re in this predicament, you can simply walk to (or hop any streetcar heading toward) the Hauptbahnhof train station, just a few blocks away and there are plenty of cabs there for the taking. The same applies to taking the S-bahn from Messe to the train station.
WEEKEND BLUES
Musikmesse / ProLight+Sound opens to the general public on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, the last day of the show. The flood gates open, the public pours in and often the key decision makers in many companies drop out of sight or head home. So if you’re planning to get anything done business-wise, Saturday’s not usually the day. However, if you’re interested in possibly buying a floor sample of a guitar or instrument, this may be your chance to score a deal. Although if this is your plan, you might make inquiries ahead of time either to reserve your pick or find out whether the company even makes such sales. Some do, some don’t, so it pays to find out in advance.
THE REAL SATURDAY FUN
A real highlight of any Messe trip is hitting the world-famous Frankfurt Flohmarkt (Flea Market), formerly held every week along the south bank of the Main river in the Sachsenhausen area on Shaumainkai street. But after continual complaints from the nearby residents, it now alternates every other week between the river location and on Lindleystrasse, where it will be on April 13, during Messe 2013. The Flohmarkt is a great place to grab some unique (some very unique) gifts or souvenirs to bring back or just do a little morning bargain hunting before heading over the show in the late morning/afternoon. It’s also great for people watching, or grabbing a snack (crepes, coffee, sandwiches, sausages, pastries, beer, etc.) while having a fun and memorable outing, especially if you’re with a couple friends or a small group. While crime is rare and very unlikely, it might still be a good idea to keep your wallet hidden away or in your front pocket.
HAVE FUN (BUT NOT TOO MUCH FUN)
Almost every booth at Musikmesse / Pro Light + Sound seems to have a bar or lounge built into it. Germans are friendly and like to drink, and you may find yourself being offered a bier, glass of wine or schnapps at nearly every booth you visit. With that in mind, you might just consider avoiding the 10-beers-in-a-row fiasco and becoming completely sloshed. Try having a couple waters, juices or other non-alcoholic drinks along the way, so you’re at least mostly sober during your Messe travels. That way, you’ll probably even make it back to your hotel.
HELP A FRIEND
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Travel safe, travel smart and… Auf Wiedersehen!
