This time, the focus is on Germany as a business location and the energy transition, the shortage of skilled workers, efforts to increase resilience in the supply chain, cyber security and decarbonization.

2024: New location and new concept

The 40th German Logistics Congress also marks the end of an era: the InterConti Hotel with its Marlene Bar will move to the Estrel Berlin - Germany's largest congress hotel - in 2024. The concept is also changing: in future, there will be a split between the conference and the exhibition. The exhibition will be larger with more space for exhibitors, there may be side events for specific industries or start-ups, for example, and there will be more digital networking opportunities. "We want to become significantly more international in terms of speakers and participants," says BVL Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Wimmer, adding: "We will continue to have the best conference program and C-level exchange. And we want to show more visible pride in our business sector." More diverse ticket options are also planned, for example with day tickets or cheaper Expo tickets.

Logistics: only slight nominal increase of 0.8 percent in 2024

Today, the logistics experts are publishing their forecasts for 2023 and 2024, which they developed and discussed at their fall summit. The forecast for 2023 was revised downwards due to the weaker economic development. The current consensus estimate is +2.5% in nominal terms and -2.0% in real terms. In the worst-case scenario, the forecast is expected to be reduced by a further percentage point. The average forecast for 2024 is 0.8% in nominal terms and -3.5% in real terms.

These figures are based on the assumption that construction activity will continue to slump next year, demand in the mechanical engineering sector will experience a slight decline, the chemical and automotive sectors will stagnate and demand for everyday goods will also remain stable. Only the electronics sector promises positive impetus. There could be a glimmer of hope in the second half of 2024 for consumer durables in private households, and Christmas sales could also stimulate the economy.

The logistics experts also formulate nine core measures that policymakers should implement to ensure that Germany remains at the forefront of logistics. The focus is primarily on infrastructure - both in transport, digitalization and electricity - which should be expanded to meet the respective requirements with political master plans. Another factor for the logistics experts is research funding in order to strengthen and maintain the innovative power of logistics.