"queensali's new Frankfurt am Main Page " a Frankfurt am Main Travel Page by queensali

Frankfurt has had to reinvent itself since wartime air raids destroyed most of its historical monuments and well-preserved medieval quarter -- so the city today does not proffer much in the way of Old World charm. This financial capital on the River Main (pronounced "Mine") is abrasive, hard-headed and rich; its glass and concrete skyscrapers are occupied by banks or insurance companies and its nickname is "Mainhattan." In addition to finance, wealth is generated by industry, particularly in engineering, chemicals and printing and publishing.

As a result, most travelers who venture to Frankfurt are actually bound not for the city itself but for a trade fair -- one of the 50,000 congresses, conferences and seminars held each year. The international fairs, in particular, are a Mecca to people in a given industry, whether it be cars, fashion, medical high-tech or consumer goods. The Congress Center Messe Frankfurt has recently completed a massive expansion, and now 2,300 participants can sleep under the same roof in the new Maritim hotel next door. Along with the new facilities there is a new marketing campaign launched by six leading conference hotels and the Congress Center, "Conventions Unlimited" -- known as C.U. in Frankfurt. (Event planners can find out more by calling 49/(0)69/7575 3000; "49" is the international calling code for Germany; drop the first "0" when dialing from outside the country.)