Cebit sees sharp decline in vendors

Deutsche Messe said about 300 companies are rejoining the trade show after passing on it in years past. Of the 4,300 companies exhibiting, 200 are new this year.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open the show once again on Monday night, and other notable people will be on the scene during the show.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will visit on Tuesday as part of a "Partner State California" display in Hall 6, highlighting U.S. companies and technology. In past years, Cebit had put a spotlight on countries such as France or Russia, and its the first time a U.S. state has been substituted for a country, Prüser said.

A key theme of Cebit this year will be so-called Web 2.0 technologies, such as blogging, social networking, unified communications and cloud computing, in Hall 6 under the theme "Webciety." Also, Cebit will have a green IT section that's five times larger than last year, showing the growing interest by companies in reducing energy costs, Prüser said.