Focus on sustainability measures until 2029
Invitation extended to future Federal Minister of Economics
130 million euros invested last year
Berlin, 5 May 2025 | German trade fair venues are planning extensive investments to modernise and further develop their infrastructures by 2029. The aim is to improve the service for exhibiting companies and visitors and to fulfil sustainability goals and high digital standards. Around 770.6 million euros will be invested across Germany for this purpose. This comes as the result of a recent survey conducted by the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA).
The investments include the modernisation of exhibition halls, administrative and event buildings, new buildings and the technical upgrading of existing buildings. However, the focus remains firmly on sustainability and energy transition measures. Numerous exhibition venues are investing in photovoltaic systems on exhibition hall roofs and multi-storey car parks, the expansion of e-charging infrastructure, green roofs and energy optimisation. In 2022, the German trade fair industry set itself ambitious sustainability targets to be achieved by 2040.
- Jörn Holtmeier, Managing Director of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry AUMA: "Germany is the world's number one trade fair centre - we want it to stay that way. Our members are constantly developing the winning formula trade fair as a trading centre for all industries and a hub for the best ideas. We cordially invite the future Federal Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche, to join us in further developing the strength the world's leading trade fair centre offers."
Last year alone, more than 130 million euros were invested in the infrastructure and modernisation of the German exhibition grounds. This sum was channelled, for example, into the renovation and expansion of exhibition halls, the improvement of IT and technical equipment and energy-saving measures such as the construction of photovoltaic systems and LED lighting.
According to the AUMA survey, around 3.25 million square metres of hall space are currently available at exhibition venues in Germany. The 24 exhibition venues of national or international significance account for 2.78 million square metres of hall space. Trade fair and exhibition venues considered to be of regional importance have a gross hall area of just under 468,000 square metres. In total, there are around 70 exhibition centres in Germany, hosting around 350 trade and public fairs every year.
According to the International Federation of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), there are more than 1,430 exhibition centres worldwide with 43.1 million square metres of hall space. Europe leads the way with over 500 exhibition venues. This is followed by Asia/Pacific with around 430, North America with almost 340, Latin America with over 80 and the Middle East and Africa with more than 70 exhibition grounds. In global terms, the Asia/Pacific region and Europe have the largest hall capacities with 16.6 million and 15.8 million square metres respectively.
AUMA is the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (Ausstellungs- und Messe-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.), the umbrella organisation of the German trade fair industry. Both nationally and internationally, it represents the interests of all large and medium-sized trade fair companies in Germany, international organisers in Germany and the associations representing exhibitors, service companies and visitors.
Up to 230,000 jobs are secured by trade fairs in Germany. No fewer than 70 exhibition centres between the North Sea and Lake Constance make Germany a unique trade fair destination worldwide. Two thirds of all leading trade fairs in the global economy take place here. At peak times, international, national and regional trade fairs in Germany attract over 235,000 exhibiting companies and 16 million visitors. On average, 60 per cent of exhibitors and 35 per cent of trade visitors at all leading trade fairs come from abroad.
