Berlin, 8 October 2025 // The current year largely confirms the optimistic expectations of trade fair organisers in Germany, as surveyed by the German Economic Institute at the beginning of the year. Despite the tense economic situation, most organisers are reporting positive business performance. According to projections by the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA), the number of exhibiting companies rose by one percent to over 116,000 in the first half of the year, the number of visitors increased by more than three percent to almost 7.2 million and the amount of rented stand space rose by just under two percent to more than 4.2 million square metres.
Of the more than 300 trade fairs planned in Germany in 2025, just under 230 have taken place in the first nine months, with 76 scheduled for the fourth quarter. In view of the current economic challenges, geopolitical crises and rotation-related effects, AUMA expects sales in 2025 to be slightly below the previous year's level. In 2024, AUMA member companies achieved a record result with sales of EUR 4.4 billion. This continued the industry's growth trend. Twelve out of 16 companies reported sales of over 50 million euros. The top performer is Messe Frankfurt GmbH with more than 770 million euros. The annual result for 2024 also shows that the level of the pre-corona years has been reached again: At its peak, annual sales totalled €4.1 billion (2019). The low point during the coronavirus years was in 2021 at 1.2 billion euros.
The biggest challenges for the industry remain cost increases in almost all areas of economic life and the tense situation of many German exhibitors in the third year of recession, as an AUMA survey from early summer shows. In addition, there are industry-specific issues such as the implementation of technological innovations, a shortage of skilled labour and changing expectations on the part of exhibitors and visitors. Some organisers are responding with shorter lead times, which they are compensating for with more intensive service for their customers. New technologies and artificial intelligence also support knowledge transfer and the digitalisation of central processes - an important contribution to cushioning rising costs.
Global Trade Fair Industry Booms in Emerging Markets
Internationally, the industry is also looking positively into the future. According to the biannual study by the UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI Global Barometer), 34 to 39 per cent of companies expect an increase in turnover of more than five per cent in 2025 from space rental and services. Particularly strong growth is forecast in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. In contrast, stability is predominantly expected in the major markets of the USA and Germany, while the Chinese trade fair market is projected to see a downturn. The greatest challenges cited are the uncertain global economy, geopolitical tensions, and dealing with sustainability and digitalisation.
