Record-breaking trade fair with international tailwind for the logistics industry

The rush to the logistics trade fair in Munich sends a clear signal in the first few days: the industry is looking for exchange – and finding it in large numbers. Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München, speaks of an event that sets new standards in several respects. From an organisational point of view, the trade fair reflects the current market situation, but is also an indicator of the international importance of the location.

Record numbers of exhibitors and floor space

With around 2,380 exhibitors, the logistics trade fair has seen significant growth. The increase is just under ten percent compared to the previous event. This development had very specific consequences for planning: an additional hall had to be opened at short notice, so that the exhibition grounds now extend over ten halls. For Messe München, this is not an end in itself, but a response to real demand from the industry. The increase in space reflects a trend that was already apparent in the run-up to the fair. Many companies wanted to expand their presence, book larger stands or participate for the first time. Logistics thus remains a field in which investments are being made despite economic uncertainties – at least in terms of visibility, exchange and network maintenance.

International visitor growth as a key signal

The strong growth in visitors from abroad is particularly striking. Already in the first one to two days of the fair, it became apparent that international trade visitors had come to Munich in significantly higher numbers. For Stefan Rummel, this is a crucial point, because logistics in particular thrives on global interdependencies. Messe München benefits from its role as an internationally established venue. Munich is not only a meeting place for the German-speaking world, but increasingly also a European platform for global logistics issues. The increase in international visitors confirms this claim and strengthens the event's position in the global trade fair calendar.

Logistics trade fair as a barometer of industry sentiment

Large trade fairs are more than just showcases. They also serve as barometers of sentiment. The full hall operations, the high density of discussions and the willingness of exhibitors to invest in their presence indicate an industry that remains active despite structural challenges. The high footfall at the stands in the first few days shows that personal encounters continue to play a central role. Digital communication has facilitated exchange, but has not replaced it. Especially in logistics, where processes, partnerships and infrastructure are closely interlinked, personal conversation remains a decisive factor.

Organisational challenges and planning reliability

For Messe München, a record-breaking event also means increased organisational requirements. Additional halls, more exhibitors and a higher proportion of international visitors require precise processes, functioning logistics in the background and flexible planning. Stefan Rummel sees the smooth running of the first few days as confirmation of his own preparation. At the same time, this demonstrates a structural advantage of large trade fair companies: the ability to respond to demand at short notice without compromising on quality. Messe München can draw on existing infrastructure and scale it up when the market demands it.

Significance for the location and industry

The current figures underscore Munich's role as a central logistics location in the trade fair industry. For exhibitors, the event offers access to an international audience, and for visitors, a compact overview of the market, technology and services. This combination explains the success. From Stefan Rummel's point of view, the record-breaking trade fair is not an outlier, but the result of long-term development. The logistics industry faces major challenges, but the strong response shows that the will to exchange ideas and further develop is unbroken. Messe München provides the framework for this – visible, international and, this year, bigger than ever before.