770 million euros for sustainable trade fair infrastructure

The German trade fair industry is investing heavily in its future. By 2029, German trade fair venues nationwide plan to invest 770 million euros to modernize their infrastructure, further develop their service offerings, and consistently invest in sustainability. The figures are taken from a recent survey by the industry association AUMA and illustrate the high priority that sustainable development now has for Germany as a trade fair location. The focus is not only on the structural renovation of halls and event spaces, but also on a long-term strategic orientation. The aim is to make trade fair infrastructure more efficient, resource-friendly, and future-proof. In this way, trade fair venues are responding to the increasing demands of exhibitors, visitors, and political conditions.

Focus on energy efficiency and digital standards

A significant portion of the investments will go toward energy efficiency measures. Plans include energy-efficient renovations of existing buildings, the expansion of photovoltaic systems, modern heating and cooling systems, and the greening of roof areas. Charging infrastructure for e-mobility is also playing an increasingly important role, as sustainable travel to and from the venues is becoming more important for exhibitors and trade visitors. The industry is thus consistently pursuing its climate targets, which were already formulated in 2022. The goal is to achieve extensive climate neutrality at the exhibition centers by 2040. The planned investments are intended to help reduce CO₂ emissions and permanently lower energy consumption. Sustainability is not seen as a short-term trend, but as a structural element of location development. At the same time, the exhibition centers are investing more heavily in digital standards. Modern IT infrastructure, high-performance network technology, and intelligent building control systems are key components. By 2024, more than 130 million euros had already been invested in corresponding projects, including LED lighting, new ventilation systems, and digital services for exhibitors and organizers. These measures not only contribute to energy savings, but also improve the service and flexibility of the event formats.

Investments as a signal of competitiveness

With this investment program, trade fair venues are sending a clear signal to the international market. Germany has been considered the world's leading trade fair venue for decades, and this position is to be secured through targeted investments. The term “trade fair infrastructure” has long since come to mean more than just exhibition space. There is a demand for multifunctional venues that enable hybrid formats, digital enhancements, and sustainable concepts in equal measure. The investments are intended to help ensure that German trade fair venues remain attractive for leading international trade fairs in the future. Continuous modernization is a decisive factor, especially in global competition with emerging trade fair metropolises in Asia and the Middle East. The willingness to invest large sums in the future underlines the desire to remain competitive in the long term.

Invitation to the new Federal Minister for Economic Affairs

AUMA Managing Director Jörn Holtmeier sums up the strategic importance of the investments: “Germany is the number one trade fair location in the world – we want it to stay that way.” Against this backdrop, the association is also addressing the future Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche. The trade fair industry sees itself as the backbone of many sectors and expects its economic and social importance to continue to be accompanied and supported by politicians. The investments, amounting to millions of euros, should also be seen as an offer to politicians: the industry is prepared to take responsibility and actively invest in sustainability and innovation. At the same time, it remains dependent on reliable framework conditions – for example, in terms of approval procedures, energy prices, and subsidy programs.

A backbone for the economy and location attractiveness

With around 3.25 million square meters of hall space, Germany has one of the largest trade fair offerings worldwide. Around two-thirds of all leading global trade fairs take place here. Of the approximately 70 German trade fair venues, 24 are considered to be of national or international relevance. This structure clearly shows the importance of the trade fair industry for the business location as a whole. According to AUMA, trade fairs in Germany secure around 230,000 jobs and bring millions of trade visitors together with exhibiting companies. They serve as a platform for innovation, export, and international exchange. The planned investments in sustainability, digital standards, and modern infrastructure are therefore not only relevant from a business perspective, but also make a key contribution to Germany's attractiveness as a business location. With €770 million to be invested by 2029, German trade fair venues are making targeted investments in their future – thereby strengthening their role as a driver of the economy, innovation, and sustainable development.