Consequently, the ISH is the worlds leading systems exhibition of this kind and it hosted the 2009 edition over the period of 10 to 14 March 2009 with 202 000 visitors descending on the Frankfurt am Main. Despite the depression in German visitors, the magnetic fair increased its international visitors log to thirty percent from twenty five percent in 2007 as 2 361 companies from fifty eight countries crammed the three levels of exhibition space. At the end of the ISH’s fiftieth year of operation, Dr. Michael Peters, who is on the board of Mess Frankfurt’s management, said that "expectations were surpassed" and that "this outcome is clinching proof that positive development is both possible and important in times of crisis".

For the air conditioning and ventilation industry, the ISH represented about 1300 companies from around the world. Klause Jesse, President of the German Industrial Association for Building, Energy and Environmental technology and member of the steering committee of the German Central Heating Industry Association boasts that "the ISH is where decision makers from Germany and all over the world come together". With a central theme of presenting a twin climate protection strategy, the trade fair provided a podium for decision-makers braving the economic waves through concentrating on innovation, cost and energy savings and environmentalism in a holistic manner. A need for system solutions in all areas, but specifically in air conditioning, denotes the need for the coupling of modern technology with renewable sources of energy.

The RACA journal sent its representatives, Gary Macnamara, Dale Macnamara and Herman Bezuidenhout to this year’s the ISH. Herman Bezuidenhout commented on the enormity of the show as he commented on the "huge effort and man power" that went into the exhibitions. They are "taking the impact very seriously" through "new gases in equipments and considering green buildings". Bezuidenhout goes on to say that there are "huge opportunities for Soth Africans".

Many of those organizations operating in South Africa saw their principals exhibiting at the ISH this year. These included:

• AMS, who is the distributor for Belgian company, Climatech, saw their principals exhibiting at the ISH and showed great enthusiasm for next years Frigair.

• Astore

• Micheal Schumberg was seen at the Danfoss stand

• Derek Watters was seen representing Donkin Fans

• ebm papst ventilation and drive engineering

• The partnership between Frico and Systemair (represented by Verena Heckman)

• Theda Botes was on the stand from Rehou unlimited polymer solutions

• REMS energy solutions

• Riello, who do combustion technology and energy

• Sanyo Air conditioners

• Sonnenkraft

• Agents Sudchemie had their principal, VDL fittings representing

• ThermaFlex, who are open in South Africa and manufacture foam and insulation, whilst taking into account energy and the environment.

• Trumpf, who are represented in South Africa through Retecon and Triconsa and handling bending and presses for ducting, were amongst those exhibiting.

• Vaillant, a huge exciting company that will be opening in South Africa soon

• International company,Willo pumps was seen. Willo has their South African branch trading as Salmson

• Ziehl-Abegg fans and Drives

Herman Bezuidenhout adds that there are "huge opportunities for South Africans" with many European organizations that were exhibiting at the ISH also sounding the call for South Africans to step up to be there South African agents, representative or distributor. These companies include:

• Aircut air curtains are interested in an agent

• Draco tool are looking for an agent

• Fresh Ventilation, who are looking for a South African distributer

• Gerhardt Stahl

• Belgian, Leadair

• Italian, Mp3 air diffusion

• Mupro are looking for agents

• German company, Perkoeo are looking for agents in South Africa and the world over

• Turkish, Tork clamps