Messe Berlin reports record year in 2024 and invests in the future of its location

With annual revenue of over €480 million and historic profits, Messe Berlin achieved a record year in the 2024 financial year. The company is not only continuing its recovery from the pandemic-related downturn, but also significantly exceeding previous records. The positive results are the outcome of an exceptionally strong trade fair year, high international demand and the strategically focused further development of the event portfolio. At the same time, Messe Berlin is using its economic success to make targeted investments in the future viability of the location.

Successful event year at historic levels

In 2024, Messe Berlin welcomed a total of around 1.9 million visitors and approximately 31,000 exhibiting companies at 121 events in Germany and abroad. These figures mark a historic level for the company. InnoTrans was particularly significant, setting new standards as the largest trade fair in Berlin's history and impressively demonstrating the international importance of the location. Established leading events such as ITB Berlin, ILA and Grüne Woche also contributed significantly to the high capacity utilisation and economic strength. Profit from the events business was more than 50 per cent above the previous high set in 2018. This development illustrates that not only has the number of events stabilised, but their economic quality and international appeal have also grown significantly. This confirms Messe Berlin's role as a key player in the global trade fair and congress business.

International reach as a growth driver

A key factor in the record year was the strong international focus. In addition to events at its Berlin location, Messe Berlin is consistently expanding its international business. Formats such as Smart Health Asia in Singapore and ITB Americas in Mexico are examples of the strategy of scaling successful brands internationally and opening up new markets. This expansion not only strengthens the company's economic base, but also increases the visibility of Berlin as a trade fair location on a global level. The international reach works in both directions: foreign events generate new networks and business contacts, which in turn strengthen Berlin's position as a platform for global industries. The interplay between leading local trade fairs and international offshoots is increasingly becoming a structural success factor.

Strategic investments in the future of the location

Messe Berlin is investing the surplus it has generated in the long-term development of the location. The focus is on modernising the infrastructure, expanding the event portfolio and sustainably transforming the exhibition grounds. The first measures are expected to be visible as early as 2025, including the construction of Berlin's largest photovoltaic roof system and the conversion to energy-efficient building technology. These investments are part of a comprehensive strategy to make the location fit for the future and meet the increasing demands of international event organisers. At the same time, Messe Berlin is responding to social expectations regarding climate protection, resource efficiency and sustainable management. The future of the location is thus understood not only as a constructional but also as a structural task.

Responsibility towards the city and society

Beyond its core business, Messe Berlin also assumes social responsibility. On behalf of the State of Berlin, the company continued to provide services at the Tegel arrival centre. Even though these activities are expected to decline in the coming years, this commitment underscores Messe Berlin's role as a reliable partner to the city. The company's management views the record year not only as an economic success, but also as an obligation. The aim is to contribute the proceeds to stabilising public finances, sustainably strengthening Berlin as a business location and, at the same time, providing impetus for the further development of the trade fair industry. The record year 2024 thus not only represents a review of an extraordinary financial year, but also forms the basis for a long-term location and future strategy.