Double honor: Messe Düsseldorf wins German Brand Award 2026

Düsseldorf, June 26, 2026. Messe Düsseldorf, one of the world's most successful trade fair organizers, received two distinctions at the German Brand Award 2026. The company received Gold in the “Excellent Brands – Trade Fairs & Event Locations” category. In the special category "Excellent Brands – Corporate Brand of the Year," it was named "Winner." The awards recognize the strategic evolution of the corporate brand and the new brand identity that Messe Düsseldorf has been rolling out since late 2024.

The German Brand Award is one of the most important distinctions for holistic brand management in the German-speaking region and has honored numerous well-known DAX companies as well as other leading brands from business and industry in recent years. In its statement, the jury highlighted in particular that the relaunch translates Messe Düsseldorf’s strength into a contemporary brand identity without abandoning the brand’s established character. Special emphasis was placed on the clear umbrella brand presence, its consistent implementation across digital channels and event formats, and its anchoring in everyday internal practice.

Recognition for consistent brand development
“The double recognition is valuable confirmation for us,” emphasizes Wolfram Diener, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “With our new brand identity, we are making it even clearer what Messe Düsseldorf stands for: international marketplaces, relevant industry platforms, and the commitment to strengthen our clients’ long-term business success. We are very pleased that an independent expert jury has recognized this development.”

Initiated by the German Design Council, the German Brand Award honors brands that stand out through clear positioning, differentiation, and consistent implementation. In 2026, a total of 1,676 projects from 18 countries were submitted and evaluated by an independent 17-member jury with expertise in business, academia, agencies, and consulting.

With its new brand identity, Messe Düsseldorf has strategically advanced its corporate brand, realigning it both visually and in substance. At its core is the guiding principle "For those who create tomorrow's business," which captures the company's ambition to connect people, markets, and innovation.

The “m,” which has been established for many years, remains Messe Düsseldorf’s central identifying mark but has been further developed for modern, digital brand management. The characteristic corporate color orange is complemented by magenta and eye-catching color gradients. The result is a dynamic brand identity that combines recognizability with new flexibility.

New brand identity shapes internal and external communication
With this recognition, Messe Düsseldorf sees its chosen course confirmed. The development of the brand strategy as well as the conception and implementation of the new brand identity were carried out in close collaboration with the brand and communications agency rheinfaktor. Messe Düsseldorf extends its special thanks to the agency team for the successful collaboration and for its strategic and creative guidance.

Since its launch, the new brand identity has been introduced consistently from the inside out. Employees were involved at an early stage and supported in its application through kick-off formats, training sessions, and toolkits. Externally, the new identity was brought to life through an integrated image campaign that generated more than 170 million contacts within six months. This was complemented by digital channels, social media, employer branding and numerous corporate touchpoints across the exhibition grounds.

Going forward, the new brand identity will continue to be developed consistently across all channels and international activities, further strengthening the company’s positioning as one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers. The German Brand Award 2026 ceremony took place in Berlin on June 25, 2026.

• Gold – „Excellent Brands – Trade Fairs and Event Locations”
  
• Winner – „Excellent Brands – Corporate Brand of the Year”