Andreas Hein takes over as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Messe Friedrichshafen

With Andreas Hein, Messe Friedrichshafen has a new Chairman of the Supervisory Board. In future, the mayor will be responsible for the strategic support of the trade fair company and, together with the team, aims to provide new impetus for the location.

Andreas Hein is the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Messe Friedrichshafen. The Mayor of Friedrichshafen will thus assume a central role in the strategic management of the trade fair company. In his new position, Hein will be responsible for chairing the Supervisory Board and, together with the management and the committee, will oversee the further development of the location. The change at the top of the Supervisory Board comes at a time when trade fair companies are under increasing economic and structural pressure to adapt and redefine their role as regional drivers of growth. Messe Friedrichshafen has been an important part of the economic infrastructure of the Lake Constance region for many years. Events with an international focus regularly attract exhibitors and visitors from Germany and abroad and have a direct impact on related industries. The new chairmanship of the supervisory board is therefore not only a personnel decision, but also an expectation to define strategic lines more clearly and position the trade fair for long-term competitiveness.

Connection between urban development and the trade fair industry

Andreas Hein was elected on 5 June 2025 during the regular meeting of the supervisory board. As mayor of the city of Friedrichshafen, his responsibilities include city marketing, tourism, education and social affairs. These areas of responsibility are closely related to the work of the trade fair company, as trade fairs have an impact far beyond the actual event site. Visitor flows, overnight stays and the perception of the location are significantly influenced by trade fair events. In his new role, Hein wants to further strengthen the role of the trade fair as an economic driver and develop new marketing approaches together with the team. This is not just about growth, but also about the sustainable integration of the trade fair into urban development strategies. Close coordination between municipal planning and trade fair operations is considered a decisive factor in exploiting synergies and securing long-term effects for the region.

Experience meets local roots

Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen, welcomes the appointment of Andreas Hein and highlights his cooperative attitude and his understanding of the city's needs. From the management's point of view, close cooperation with the supervisory board is a key element for stable decision-making processes. Especially in times of economic uncertainty, strategic coordination between operational management and the supervisory board is particularly important. The continuity of personnel on the supervisory board is maintained. Peter Hüni, representative of the private shareholders, remains deputy chairman. The Hüni family has been closely associated with the location since the trade fair company was founded and stands for long-term entrepreneurial commitment in the region. This constellation of municipal participation and private entrepreneurship has shaped the structure of Messe Friedrichshafen for many years and should continue to ensure stability in the future.

Strategic role of the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board plays a central role in the strategic orientation of Messe Friedrichshafen. This includes decisions on investments in infrastructure, the further development of the event portfolio and positioning in national and international competition. Trade fairs are increasingly faced with the challenge of clearly profiling themselves while at the same time reacting flexibly to changing market conditions. With the change at the top of the Supervisory Board, Messe Friedrichshafen is sending a signal for the close integration of urban development and the trade fair business. In an economically dynamic environment, the company intends to further expand its position as an organiser of international trade and consumer fairs. Issues such as sustainable event formats, efficient logistics and adaptation to new industry requirements are playing an increasingly important role in this context.

Significance for Friedrichshafen as a location

For Friedrichshafen as a location, the trade fair is much more than just a venue. It serves as a platform for exchange, business development and international visibility. The new Chairman of the Supervisory Board will support and moderate this aspiration. The aim is to position the trade fair company in such a way that it continues to be perceived as a reliable partner for exhibitors, visitors and regional players in the future. Close cooperation between the city, management and private shareholders remains a central element in this regard. The change in the supervisory board is therefore not seen as a break, but as a further development of existing structures with a clear strategic perspective.