Germany’s trade fairs enter the second half of the year forcefully. Following a strong opening during the first six months, initial forecasts by the German Trade Fair Industry Association, AUMA, point to a strong overall performance in 2023, with up to 180,000 exhibiting companies and up to 13 million visitors at German trade fairs. Figures are thus approaching the level prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
After a short summer break, at the end of August and beginning of September, Gamescom in Cologne, Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf and IFA in Berlin will take place. A further 125 trade fairs are scheduled to take place before the year comes to a close.
200 trade shows took place in Germany during the first six months of the year. Thus far, more than 115,000 exhibiting companies have attracted the interest of 6.8 million visitors. Compared to the first half of 2022, the number of exhibitors rose by a quarter, while the number of visitors increased by one third.
Jörn Holtmeier, Managing Director of the German Trade Fair Industry Association, AUMA: „Meanwhile dates for trade fairs in summer are not taking root – a phenomenon that was seen in 2022 due to the backlog. Almost all 2024 trade fair dates will return to their long-established dates, which sit outside the big holiday periods.“
AUMA highlights further trends and prospects in the trade fair business in its recently released annual publication, “AUMA Trends 2023/2024”. The digital brochure provides a comprehensive overview of the issues affecting the German trade fair industry following the coronavirus pandemic. Interviews reveal the perspective of the exhibiting companies and the expectations of visitors. New competences on the part of exhibition organisers and service providers are discussed. AUMA demonstrates the importance of the industry with facts and figures. As of today, an abridged version is now available in English.
Source: AUMA
