The show held annually in the northern German city of Hannover usually invites a foreign nation to become an official partner, but in a historic move that distinction was granted to the State of California this year. The Golden State has sent a delegation of 50 top technology firms to Germany to showcase innovations and discuss trans-Atlantic business opportunities.

The partnership also guaranteed the return of the Arnold Schwarzenegger who, though born in Austria, said two years living and training as a bodybuilder in Munich were the most critical to his later success.