Cornelia Lutz new project manager for BAU Munich

A significant personnel change is imminent at Messe München. Cornelia Lutz will take over as project manager for BAU in mid-May, thereby also assuming responsibility for the international BAU network. She will become the new project manager for the leading trade fair, succeeding Matthias Strauss, who is leaving the company after more than fifteen years. With a view to BAU 2027, the trade fair company is focusing on continuity in its structure and, at the same time, on new content. The change comes at a time when the construction and real estate industry is under strong pressure to transform. Topics such as sustainable construction, resource efficiency, serial construction methods and digitalisation are increasingly shaping the focus of trade events. Against this backdrop, the management of the trade fair takes on a strategic importance that goes beyond traditional organisation.

Experience in the skilled trades, congress formats and trade fair operations

Cornelia Lutz brings with her many years of trade fair experience, which she has gained in various roles. Her work at the Society for Trade Fairs for the Skilled Trades, where she was responsible for key formats for many years, was particularly formative. These included the ‘Future of the Skilled Trades’ congress, which has established itself as a dialogue platform for companies, associations and politicians. In addition, she initiated trade events with a thematic focus on entrepreneurial leadership and structural challenges in the skilled trades. This experience from the operational trade fair business and from content-driven congress formats is now flowing back into her work at Messe München. With her return, Lutz is also taking on responsibility for other established events organised by the company, including f.re.e and INTERFORST. Her role therefore clearly extends beyond individual projects.

Strategic role in the international network

In her role as Senior Director Exhibitions, Cornelia Lutz will not only be responsible for the operational management of the upcoming event, but also for the strategic development of the entire cluster. The network includes digitalBAU, BAU China and Glasstech Asia, among others. The aim is to integrate content more closely and systematically incorporate international developments into the trade fair's work. Messe München sees this structure as a basis for picking up on trends at an early stage and deepening their content. The management of the network should not act in isolation, but rather strengthen interfaces between architecture, the construction industry, skilled trades and technology. This coordinating role is becoming increasingly important, especially with regard to global markets.

Outlook for BAU 2027

With the change in project management, attention is already turning to the next edition. BAU 2027 is intended to build on existing strengths while also offering space for new topics. These include digital planning processes, industrial prefabrication and dealing with regulatory requirements in different markets. Cornelia Lutz's appointment to this role is seen internally as a conscious decision in favour of experience, networking and depth of content. She succeeds a project manager who has shaped the trade fair for many years and will build on existing structures without simply continuing them uncritically. The aim is to further develop the content of the event while consolidating its role as an international platform. The change in leadership therefore marks not a break, but a transition with a clear strategic direction – led by a project manager who is familiar with both trade fair operations and the content requirements of the industry.