Stories
Discover the latest trends and highlights from the diverse world of trade fairs! Here we report on current projects, offer you exciting insights and let the people behind the scenes have their say.
Corporate
One Employer, Many Paths
An apprenticeship, a career change at 40, an internship in Singapore: there are many ways to join Messe Düsseldorf. Once people are in, they tend to stay – though rarely where they started. Gökhan Atalma, Jenna Nowas and Ariane Paul share what makes Messe Düsseldorf stand out as an employer.
Exhibition Center & Location
Seven Minutes That Connect a Global Business Destination
Düsseldorf’s new U80 and U81 light rail lines have been running since September 4. They link the airport with the city center, the main train station and the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition grounds – a major gain for international guests, exhibiting companies and Düsseldorf as an international business and trade show destination.
Exhibition Center & Location
Short Distances Matter in Global Trade Fair Competition
A leading international trade fair location is not defined by its exhibition halls alone, but also by how easily people get there. In this editorial, Wolfram Diener, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, explains why Düsseldorf’s compact scale as a city of short distances and its commitment to innovative, sustainable mobility are becoming a real competitive advantage.
Business Insights
Packaging Industry: “Regulation Slows Us Down and Drives Innovation at the Same Time”
Mono-material films, fiber-based packaging and a functioning market for recyclates: Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, explains why the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) brings more bureaucracy – yet is also accelerating innovation across the industry.
Responsibility
How Messe Düsseldorf employees are giving back
Whether at the fire station, the soup pot, the gaming table or the ping-pong table: many Messe Düsseldorf employees devote their free time to helping others. Four of them have each won a 500-euro donation for their volunteer work. We spoke with them about their activities – and what drives them.
Exhibition Center & Location
A Delicate Touch on a Major Construction Site
At the Düsseldorf exhibition center near Gate 2, the dismantling of the front administrative tower is entering its most intensive phase. Here, heavy machinery meets the highest precision. A new video shows how the team is mastering this exceptional challenge.
Business Insights
Innovation in the U.S.: „Much more emphasis on execution, measurable ROI, and speed to commercialization.“
Venture capital, world-class research, dense innovation clusters: Tom Mitchell, President of Messe Düsseldorf North America, breaks down the layered ecosystem for innovation in the United States – and explains why the innovation culture there is becoming more pragmatic.
Business Insights
Innovation in Asia: „Southeast Asia is not just adopting technology, it is becoming a serious proving ground.“
AI infrastructure worth billions, national strategies from Singapore to Vietnam, and a young, mobile-first consumer base: Southeast Asia is moving fast – but with a new sense of discipline. Shirley Lim, General Manager at Messe Düsseldorf Asia, explains why the region's innovation culture is less about disruption and more about solving real problems at scale.
Business Insights
Innovation in the Gulf region: „Clear focus on future-oriented industries and fast decision-making cycles.“
Fast decisions, deep ambition, an appetite for partnership: Tarek Sibai, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf Gulf Office in Dubai, on where the Gulf region is outpacing more mature markets – and why.
Exhibition Center & Location
Innovation Needs a Network: 5G at XPONENTIAL Europe
Uncrewed vehicles, mobile robots, AI-based applications: at XPONENTIAL Europe, the future is not just on display – it comes to life. Making that possible takes more than premium exhibition space. It requires a digital infrastructure built for real-time performance.
Responsibility
Autonomous Technologies: A Growth Sector Between Two Worlds
Autonomous and uncrewed systems are moving to the forefront of technological development. Rising defense spending, the growing importance of dual-use technologies and the pressure to turn innovations into practical applications faster are transforming entire markets, creating opportunities for regions like North Rhine-Westphalia. All of these developments will be on display at XPONENTIAL Europe.
Responsibility
Defense Belongs with Autonomous Technologies — and at XPONENTIAL Europe
The decision to address defense as an application area at XPONENTIAL Europe has received broad support from the autonomous and uncrewed technologies industry. At the same time, there has been public debate about whether and how defense belongs at the trade fair. Wolfram N. Diener has a clear position on this. Clearer than ever before.
Corporate
Olympic and Paralympic Games: Messe Düsseldorf delivers top performance for Team D in Cortina
First 17 days of the Olympic Games, then another 10 days of the Paralympic Games – Messe Düsseldorf demonstrated top performance in venue management by co-organizing the German House in Cortina, together with additional partners, as a Key Partner of Team D and Team D Paralympics. The best impressions in the video.
Corporate
When a packed trade fair schedule moves the entire city
Full halls, international guests, tightly scheduled setup, and dismantling: What many people do not see when one event follows the next at Messe Düsseldorf is the precise coordination across the fairgrounds behind the scenes – and the tangible impact on hotels, restaurants, and life across the city.
Corporate
Olympics Up Close: Three Volunteers at the German House
Around 18,000 volunteers support the Olympic Games at competition venues across the region. Without them, nothing would run in Cortina, Milan or Bormio. Volunteers are also lending a hand at the German House – with Julia Kuntze-Braun and Karsten Houf from Messe Düsseldorf coordinating their assignments.
International
Interview: „Wherever we identify opportunities, we intend to make use of them.“
Since February 1, Lars Wismer has served as Regional Head of “Messe Düsseldorf for Asia (MDfA)”. In his inaugural interview, he outlines the importance of Asian markets, discusses strategic opportunities – and explains MDfA’s role as a connecting element within the global Messe Düsseldorf portfolio.
Exhibition Center & Location
“Investments signal our long-term confidence in the growth of our trade show business”
Everything started in 2000 with the new, multifunctional Hall 6. Since then, Messe Düsseldorf has been consistently executing its master plan, modernizing one building after another. Here’s what Bernhard Stempfle, Managing Director for Finance and Infrastructure, has to say about the company’s busy construction schedule.
International
“Systemically Relevant for Economy and Society”
Wolfram N. Diener assumed his role as Incoming President of UFI. In this interview, he discusses the significance of trade fairs as stable platforms in an increasingly frag-mented global economy, the current sentiment in the global market, and the opportunities that AI of-fers to the industry.
Team & Culture
Cat Rescue Meets Lifeguard Service: Two Women, One Passion – Volunteering
Mirjam Kirschsieper and Katharina Kolissnyk save lives – each in her own way. One advocates for the sustainable protection of stray cats, the other trains lifeguards. These two Messe Düsseldorf employees are volunteers by conviction.
Leading Trade Shows
Caravanning as a Growth Market: How a Travel Trend from Europe, Australia and the U.S. is Conquering New Regions of the World
Motorhome vacations are all the rage – flexible, close to nature, independent. Traditionally popular mainly in Europe, North America and Australia, they’re conquering more and more regions in the world: particularly in Asia. Find out about the resulting opportunities for the caravanning industry and why Messe Düsseldorf plays a pivotal role in these developments.
Business Insights
Sparkling Ideas: We Make Startups Shine
Setting the stage for innovation: Many startups are developing new and disruptive solutions that have the potential to revolutionize markets. Entire industries benefit from the spark of their ideas. In his editorial, Wolfram N. Diener explains how Germany is creating the ideal breeding ground for successful entrepreneurs – and how Messe Düsseldorf is putting startups in the spotlight.
International
New Beginnings on the Gulf: Wired for the Future in the Middle East
Green energy, gigantic construction projects, artificial intelligence: As the Arabian Gulf is reinventing itself, cables and wires are indispensable for many projects and innovations. The Austrian company Rosendahl Nextrom, which has long been present in the region with its solutions, is using the new platforms offered by Messe Düsseldorf to further boost its business there.
International
Between Delhi and Düsseldorf
Indien ist die Volkswirtschaft, die weltweit am schnellsten wächst. Gesundheitswesen, IT, Energie, Immobilien, Fintech und andere Branchen boomen. Die kaufkräftige Mittelschicht wird immer größer, ein interessanter Markt auch für europäische Unternehmen. Zugleich fassen indische Firmen in Europa und auf dem Weltmarkt Fuß. Die Plattformen der Messe Düsseldorf sind in beide Richtungen ein Türöffner.
Responsibility
Why We Need to Talk About Defense Differently
Defense at Messe Düsseldorf? For a long time, that seemed unthinkable – the topic too sensitive, seemingly at odds with the city’s civically oriented trade fair landscape. But now, the Supervisory Board of Messe Düsseldorf has given the green light. Wolfram N. Diener, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, elaborates the decision.
International
ProWein Goes Asia: Savoring Connections Worldwide
Thank you, Düsseldorf; hello Tokyo and Hong Kong! Messe Düsseldorf’s trade shows unite the wine community in each of these metropolises. While ProWein in Düsseldorf draws together visitors from all corners of the globe, the Asian ProWine spinoffs serve as hotspots with a regional focus. Read on to learn how Asian winemakers and buyers leverage this global trade show portfolio to their advantage.
Leading Trade Shows
From Düsseldorf Into the World: Where Beauty Trends Are Born
The beauty industry is getting more and more innovative – and Düsseldorf is the place to experience this shift in real time. The city connects global companies, innovative start-ups and a flourishing community of hairdressers, aestheticians and beauty experts.
Leading Trade Shows
CVC 2025 - From vision to industrial reality
The Circular Valley Convention is drawing to a close: For two days, leading companies, innovative start-ups and thought leaders presented sustainable business models, new technologies and circular industrial processes that are not only feasible but also economically successful.
Exhibition Center & Location
From Vineyards to Ventures: Five reasons why ProWein is a must visit for every wine enthusiast
Düsseldorf is much more than a fashion capital, cultural hub, and trade fair venue. As a wine city, it has long made a name for itself – not least due to ProWein, which has been attracting trade visitors from around the world for more than 30 years. But why is ProWein so relevant for winemakers and wine traders? Here are five compelling reasons.
Leading Trade Shows
The Art of Beauty & Health: New consumer fair for Beauty & Wellbeing in Düsseldorf!
Premiere of the Art of Beauty & Health! Inspiration. Innovation. Wellbeing. For everyone who loves beauty! Experience the new exciting event format under the banner of beauty and health in the heart of the beauty capital Düsseldorf.
Leading Trade Shows
Düsseldorf becomes the center of autonomous technologies
From February 18 to 20, 2025, XPONENTIAL Europe transformed Düsseldorf into the epicenter for unmanned systems and robotics. Around 200 companies from 33 countries showcased their innovations in the field of robotics and autonomous technologies. The trade fair provided the ideal platform for exchange between established market leaders, up-and-coming start-ups, investors, politics and science.
Responsibility
Circular Valley Convention: Spotlight on the Future of the Circular Economy
The circular economy is crucial for a resource-efficient and low-emission future – and it impacts virtually every industry. That’s why Messe Düsseldorf, together with its partner associations, places a consistent focus on the topic.
Leading Trade Shows
Drone Show at XPONENTIAL Europe: “We Want to Demonstrate our Connection with the City of Düsseldorf”
At the first XPONENTIAL Europe in Düsseldorf, trade visitors can expect not only innovations from the fields of uncrewed systems and robotics, but also a very special highlight: a light show featuring 200 drones above the exhibition centre! In our interview, Marco Vorderstemann talks about the idea behind the event and the challenges involved in putting on a show of this kind.
Business Insights
Wolfram N. Diener: ”Trade fairs deepen the relationship with a brand.”
The economy is evolving, and many companies are undergoing transformations that significantly impact their brands. Trade fairs bring these brands and their developments to life, creating unique spaces where customers can directly interact with them. Far more than just events, trade fairs serve as powerful platforms for strengthening brand identity and enhancing visibility.