From Networking Concept to Premium Platform for the Automotive Supplier Industry

When Dr. Bernd Welzel and Eddy van der Vorst launched the European High-Tech Pavilion in 2019, they had a clear mission in mind: to create a platform that would help small and medium-sized automotive suppliers strategically expand their networks within the industry. “Many of these companies simply lack the personnel and organizational capacity to independently manage the extensive logistics of participating in international trade fairs,” explains Dr. Bernd Welzel. The European High-Tech Pavilion has successfully filled this gap ever since—with a concept that is now regarded internationally as a blueprint for successful trade show participation by small and mid-sized companies in the supply sector.

 

The European High-Tech Pavilion made its debut at the IAA in Frankfurt in 2019, occupying around 450 square meters within the New Mobility World in Hall 5.0. The concept—to create an open, welcoming booth with a familiar atmosphere focused on personal interaction and networking—proved to be a resounding success. Over the following years, the Pavilion continued to grow steadily.

Today, six years later, it has become a fixture at IAA MOBILITY in Munich. In 2025, the Pavilion will span nearly 1,000 square meters in Hall A1, offering a stage for innovative suppliers from around the world—right alongside major industry players such as BMW, ZF, Valeo, LG, and Mahle. Its mission: to facilitate meaningful connections between exhibitors and buyers, engineers, and top-level decision-makers.

What truly sets the European High-Tech Pavilion apart is its comprehensive service concept, designed to relieve exhibitors of organizational burdens while ensuring the highest level of professionalism. “Planning begins well in advance of the event and covers everything from booth placement, construction, technical equipment, furnishings, branding, and logistics to full on-site support,” explains Dr. Welzel. Several private meeting rooms are also available for confidential business discussions, allowing exhibitors to choose the ideal setting for any conversation.

At the heart of the Pavilion is the central lounge area—intentionally designed to foster openness, proximity, and meaningful dialogue. Here, exhibitors, industry visitors, and decision-makers connect in a relaxed environment to exchange ideas, build new relationships, and launch concrete projects. The organizing team actively facilitates targeted networking, guiding visitors to the right exhibitors—and often, vice versa.

This active approach to networking is made possible by the decades of industry experience and strong personal connections of the Pavilion’s organizers. Dr. Bernd Welzel brings over 30 years of expertise as a CEO, consultant, advisory board member, and supervisory board member for numerous leading suppliers and automotive industry committees. Since 2023, Michael Spitznagel has taken over from co-founder Eddy van der Vorst. As Managing Partner of Global Automotive Partners GmbH and an advisor and investor in multiple companies, he adds a powerful international network—particularly in Southern Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Together with van der Vorst, they offer more than 100 years of combined experience and connections in the global automotive sector.

The diversity of participating companies also makes the European High-Tech Pavilion a true showcase of the international supplier industry. From emerging startups to established global corporations, the Pavilion represents nearly the entire automotive value chain—from development and tooling to services and series production across all vehicle segments. Exhibitors include well-known names like AWL, Dong Yang Piston, Ecobat, Graepel, Mapvision, Maxion Wheels, Meleghy Automotive, Nedschroef, P3 Automotive, USA Group, Vollmann, Osram, and Panasonic.

Once again, a wide array of cutting-edge innovations is set to be showcased at IAA MOBILITY 2025. These include software solutions for software-defined vehicles from FPT, facial recognition technologies by trinamiX, fuel cell systems from cellcentric, highly automated laser systems by LASER ISSE, 3D measurement technologies from mapvision, intelligent actuators by Bühler, advanced sensor systems for autonomous driving from iwis, battery recycling solutions by Ecobat, and the latest in display technology from CarUX.

The strong international makeup of exhibitors further underlines the global relevance of the event, with companies from Asia and North America joining European firms to present their advancements.

Another highlight of the Pavilion is the series of accompanying evening events, each designed to foster connections at different levels of business engagement. The exclusive VIP dinner at the Michelin-starred Schwarzreiter restaurant at Munich’s Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is tailored for C-level executives, while the Bavarian Evening at Augustiner am Platzl—with its Oktoberfest flair—encourages more informal exchanges among professionals. The grand finale is the traditional closing party at the Pavilion itself on the final evening of the show.

“As many medium-sized suppliers lack the brand recognition to host major evening events on their own, these formats offer a rare opportunity to connect with high-level decision-makers in a relaxed atmosphere,” says Michael Spitznagel.

Many of the companies that originally joined the European High-Tech Pavilion as “test exhibitors” have since become long-standing partners. “What wins them over is the combination of full-service organizational support, outstanding visibility, personal attention, and most importantly, direct access to the right decision-makers at the highest level,” says Dr. Welzel.

What began as a bold idea has, within just a few years, grown into an internationally recognized business development platform for the global automotive supply industry.