NürnbergMesse Group CEO Peter Ottmann says that the company generated the highest sales figure yet for an odd-numbered events year in 2025, with international customers contributing half of that amount.
“In the new year, we’ll be holding steady to our programme of investing in our analogue and digital products, as well as our exhibition centre, to ensure we remain one of the most solidly scheduled exhibition venues in Europe,” he said. “We’re looking forward with great confidence, and expect to set a new sales record in the history of NürnbergMesse [for 2026]: about €390m.”
The 2025 events year – an odd-numbered year, when the group’s schedule is always cyclically lighter – defied geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism, and a languishing German economy to generate a new high in sales for such a year: about €350m (2023: €265.1m).
The outgoing year logged more than 31,000 exhibitors and about 1.4m visitors, both figures representing a rise of 12% on the last odd year 2023.
The company said it would continue to invest in its exhibition centre and its portfolio of events and services.
“Trade fairs and conferences in Nuremberg and around the world are still a successful platform for meet-ups and growth – often bucking the trend in many other industries,” said Petra Wolf, senior vice-president product management. She said especially strong performers during the year were specialty trade shows focusing on security – whether internal, external, or in IT: EnforceTac (security and defence), it-sa (IT security) and Perimeter Protection (building security). Other successful performers were KOMMUNALE (municipal procurement needs) and the SPS guest event (automation technology). There was substantial growth in Interlift (lift industry; an AFAG guest event), held in Nuremberg for the first time. Outside Germany, the outstanding performers in 2025 were the Brazilian and Greek subsidiaries, which followed up on their 2024 highs by setting new records.
International acquisitions
In September, Greek subsidiary FORUM acquired the O.MIND trade fair and publishing company, a specialist in logistics. NürnbergMesse India likewise stepped into the publishing business, acquiring WOODNEWS magazine in December to support its portfolio of trade fairs in the woodworking industry. NürnbergMesse China, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is expanding its portfolio by founding a joint venture with event organiser Hangzhou Fima Expo, whose RACC is one of China’s leading trade fairs in refrigeration and HVAC equipment. And, in 2026 the NürnbergMesse subsidiary also plans to join forces with this partner to debut RACC ASEAN in Thailand.
Investments in the venue and employees
Dirk Blum, the group’s senior vice-president finance, facility & HR said the company was now in a position to invest €500m in its exhibition centre over the next ten years, with the focus of that on modernising Hall 11 (the ‘Frankenhalle’) as well as a new structure preceded by a new entry building to replace the former Hall 3.
The photovoltaic system will also be completed this year.
Dr Martin Kassubek, senior vice-president business development hailed the introduction of a new e-commerce platform to be used for the first time for FENSTERBAU FRONTALE, before being extended to all the company’s own events over the course of 2026.
With roughly 150 events scheduled around the world – 66 of them in Nuremberg 2026 is looking promising for the group. Among the outstanding guest events will be the 75th iteration of the Spielwarenmesse toy fair, as well as the 50th anniversary of the IFH trade fair for sanitary, home and building technology.
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk