Koelnmesse is celebrating its 100th anniversary and preliminary results indicate the consolidated companies achieved record sales of 416 million euro in 2023. 67 events worldwide contributed to this success, including 19 of the company's own and 21 guest events as well as 3 corporate events in Cologne. The portion of international exhibitors was particularly outstanding at 78 percent. "The year 2023 served as an impressive comeback that saw Koelnmesse regain its former radiance," says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH. Supported by the RECOVER25 efficiency program, preliminary calculations show Koelnmesse generated a positive result of 42 million euro, thus significantly exceeding its own expectations.
Koelnmesse 1924.
The increase in sales of more than 70% is due to the absence of COVID-related restrictions and the strong event year as part of the regular cyclical event schedule. While Koelnmesse achieved sales above the 400 million euro mark for the first time in 2019, sales slumped to 94.3 million euro in 2020 and only recovered slowly in the following years to 134.2 million euro (2021) and 240 million euro (2022). In the 2023 fiscal year, consolidated company sales increased to a provisional 416 million euro.
"The shareholders supported Koelnmesse during the difficult pandemic years. I have always been convinced that the trade fair business requires personal contact. The development of the figures confirms this. I am glad the trade fair has recovered as well as it has from the crisis. Koelnmesse also owes this successful trade fair year to its committed employees," said Supervisory Board Chairwoman and Mayor Henriette Reker, emphasising the contribution of the company's staff to its success.
In 2023, Koelnmesse's programme featured 67 events around the world, attended by over 37,800 exhibiting companies from 126 countries and more than 1.7 million visitors from 217 countries. "The year 2023 has impressively demonstrated that trade fairs remain an indispensable driver for the economy and are irreplaceable as a platform for sharing innovations and pioneering ideas," says Gerald Böse. Now more than ever, trade fairs are an important component for facing the challenges of the future and make a significant contribution to shaping a sustainable economy.
Strong global positioning
Gerald Böse is also positive about the company's international trade fair business: "Our new international business is more dynamic than ever before and we celebrated four premieres in 2023." A total of 24 Koelnmesse trade fairs took place abroad. A highlight was once again THAIFEX - Anuga Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, which will be split into a food and a HoReCa (hotel/restaurant/catering) area, and supplemented by additional segments starting in 2024 due to the high demand. Sales generated abroad amounted to 45.2 million euro in 2023. Koelnmesse also started the 2024 international trade fair year with a tailwind. A total of 27 trade fairs are planned abroad this year.
Strong presence of German retail chains at recent events
"The brakes that retail outlets had put on trade fairs have been released," says Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse. It is particularly pleasing that, following a strong comeback by foreign exhibitors, German exhibitors are now also returning with an increase in bookings of 15 to 30 percent in some cases. This upward trend is also reflected in the rising number of visitors from Germany, with an increase of over 20 percent. "Almost all the German retail chains were once again represented at the recent trade fairs in Cologne. Many retailers made substantial orders and order volumes directly on site," reports Frese based on feedback from exhibiting companies.
100 years of Koelnmesse
The announcement of the positive figures coincides with the 100th anniversary of Koelnmesse, which was opened on May 11, 1924 by Cologne's Mayor at the time, Konrad Adenauer. From the first sample trade fair for household goods, hardware, textiles and furniture, which Koelnmesse organised in 1924 in the old Rheinhallen, today the headquarters of RTL and ntv, the company has developed into one of the largest trade fair companies in the world.
Joined by Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia Hendrik Wüst, Koelnmesse will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on June 28 with a ceremony at the new Confex conference and exhibition centre, which opens on the same day. "Confex will place Cologne in the league of top European conference locations," says Gerald Böse. Thanks to its location right beside the Deutz ICE train station, it will open up Cologne's city-centre trade fair even further towards the Rhine and the cathedral, thus embellishing the cityscape. Confex offers space for more than 6,000 people in 22 conference rooms and the large multifunctional Confex hall. "We are planning to double sales in our conference business over the next five years," Böse continues. This is another important milestone towards securing Koelnmesse's sustainable future.
Video of a historical walk by Gerald Böse and Paul Bauwens-Adenauer and Patrick
Adenauer:
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