Change of leadership at Messe Friedrichshafen initiated in key areas

With early planning, Messe Friedrichshafen is setting the course for upcoming leadership changes in key areas of the company. Several management positions will be filled in the course of the year. The process is deliberately designed for the long term and focuses on a structured handover, with departing managers continuing to contribute their knowledge in an advisory capacity. The aim is to ensure continuity while at the same time enabling new impetus for the further development of the trade fair company.

New responsibilities in marketing, technology and accounting

A central component of the management change that has been initiated concerns marketing. From June 2025, Julia Glaser will take over the management of the department from Ludwig Meier. Meier will remain associated with Messe Friedrichshafen and will support the transition in the future as a strategic advisor. This will ensure that established networks, market knowledge and internal processes are not lost, but are specifically integrated into the new management. Messe Friedrichshafen has also taken early action in the technical area. Roman Bodenmüller has been the new Head of Technology, Service and Transport since April. He is responsible for key infrastructure tasks, including the planning and implementation of the largest photovoltaic roof system in the Lake Constance region. The project is exemplary of the trade fair's long-term focus on sustainability, energy efficiency and modern location development. The management of the accounting department has also been reorganised. Kerstin Zerull has been in charge of the accounting and controlling departments since April. Her predecessor, Doris Bentele, will continue to support the transition in the form of special projects until her retirement. Here, too, the trade fair is deliberately focusing on a smooth transition in order to continue financial control processes in a stable manner while at the same time bringing in new perspectives.

Generational change as a strategic process

The change in leadership at Messe Friedrichshafen is not an isolated event, but part of a long-term strategic approach. Several key areas are being systematically re-staffed without relying on short-term solutions. The involvement of the previous managers in an advisory capacity makes it possible to secure their experience and knowledge while giving the new managers sufficient creative freedom. This form of orderly handover is becoming increasingly important, particularly in an environment characterised by growing competitive pressure, rising sustainability requirements and growing expectations from international exhibitors. Messe Friedrichshafen expressly sees the generational change as an opportunity to review organisational structures, further develop processes and position the company for the future.

Reinforcement in the equestrian sports trade fair sector

Another key component of the reorientation concerns the equestrian sports trade fair sector. In October 2025, Christina Uetz will take over as project manager for the equestrian events ‘Pferd Bodensee’ and ‘Americana’. She succeeds interim manager Roland Bosch and brings with her decades of experience in organising international equestrian trade fairs. The two events are among the high-profile formats in Messe Friedrichshafen's portfolio and appeal to a specialised, international audience of experts. With the new project management team, the focus will be on the further development of these events in terms of content as well as their strategic positioning in the competitive environment. The aim is to build on existing strengths and provide new impetus for programme design, exhibitor outreach and international networking.

Continuity and securing the future of the location

With the management changes that have been initiated, Messe Friedrichshafen is underlining its claim to be well positioned both organisationally and strategically. The combination of internal experience, external expertise and clearly regulated handover procedures is intended to ensure that the location continues to consolidate its role as an efficient trade fair venue. The deliberate focus on key areas such as marketing, technology, accounting and event-specific project management shows that Messe Friedrichshafen does not view the generational change as a mere personnel measure, but as an integral part of its long-term corporate development. In doing so, it is laying the foundation for responding flexibly to future challenges and tapping into new areas of growth.