Reports

The number of trade fairs held by German organisers in Saudi Arabia has recently risen steadily: While there were only two trade fairs in 2024, eight trade fairs are planned for 2026. For instance in December 2025, the Industrial Automation Saudi Arabia of Deutsche Messe AG will celebrate its premiere in Riyadh.

Despite economic challenges, the trade fair industry in Germany remains robust: more exhibitors, more visitors and stable sales characterise the year 2025. The international trend also remains positive - with strong growth in emerging markets and stability in the major markets.

The ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) has decided to set up a technical committee for sustainable event management. AUMA, alongside the UFI, had strongly advocated the establishment of this committee.

The European Entry-Exit-System (EES) will be launched in Germany on 12 October 2025. The digital system will initially be introduced at Düsseldorf Airport, followed by Frankfurt and Munich. All other external air and sea borders will follow step by step by April 2026 at the latest. The EES is a digital system that records the entry and exit of travelers from outside the EU.

Visa waiting times for international exhibitors and visitors who want to take part in trade fairs in Germany are still too long in many countries. This is shown by this year's trade fair visa survey, which AUMA conducted in July and August among the foreign representatives of German trade fair organisers.

How is the German trade fair industry holding its own in a changing world? The new AUMA annual publication "Trends 2025/2026" shows: Between digitalisation, sustainability and AI, personal interaction remains at the heart of the industry. Seven key developments provide insights into the future of trade fairs.

AUMA welcomes the decision of the Federal Foreign Office to abolish the remonstration procedure against visa rejections worldwide as of 1 July 2025 in order to reduce waiting times.

Germany is the leading trade fair venue in the world - also in terms of the high internationality of exhibitors and visitors: last year alone, 2.46 million people came from abroad to the 176 national and international trade fairs in Germany - which corresponds to a foreign share of 34 per cent

AUMA Chairman, Philip Harting, has been elected for a third term of three years. Charlotte Finger, who represents the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), was newly elected to the AUMA Board of Directors.

Despite series of strikes in the first quarter, the German trade fair industry grew significantly in 2024. AUMA reports growth in all key figures - a dynamic year for the industry.