Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Koelnmesse has announced impressive financial results for 2025, marking a significant milestone in its global growth. With preliminary sales of around €450 million, up from €365.8 million in 2024, and a consolidated net income of approximately €60 million, the company continues its strong development. These results are attributed to a successful trade fair and congress business in Cologne, streamlined operations, and a notable increase in international market activities.
Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, highlighted the company’s strong economic and international performance. However, he also acknowledged that 2026 would present challenges, particularly due to the event cycle. To ensure stability and resilience, Koelnmesse is aligning its strategy with the level35 strategic agenda, a framework aimed at strengthening its position in a world marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.
Expansion in Events and International Presence
In 2025, Koelnmesse hosted 79 events, including 57 of its own, across its Cologne headquarters and around the world. A standout moment was the Anuga trade fair, which set new standards as the largest event in Koelnmesse’s 100-year history. More than 8,000 exhibitors from 110 countries and over 145,000 visitors from 190 nations participated, filling around 300,000 square meters of exhibition space. With 94% of exhibitors and 80% of visitors coming from outside Germany, Anuga demonstrated the enduring importance of international trade fairs even amid global challenges.
Koelnmesse has made significant strides in expanding its international footprint. Of the 79 events held, 38 took place abroad, with the addition of eight new formats. These new events included international editions of interzum, ORGATEC, and Labotec, as well as fresh formats in emerging markets like Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and India. This expansion reflects the success of Koelnmesse’s strategic focus on strengthening its global profile, particularly in key growth regions.
Organisational Developments and New Regional Focus
To further drive international growth, Koelnmesse appointed Mathias Küpper as Regional President for Asia-Pacific in 2025. Küpper’s role is designed to strengthen Koelnmesse’s network in critical markets such as Singapore, Thailand, and China. Additionally, the company is planning to open a new subsidiary in Indonesia to further extend its reach in Southeast Asia.
The company also realigned its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, creating a network of local chambers of commerce to serve ten target markets. This reorganisation aims to enhance customer proximity and regional presence, ensuring that Koelnmesse can cater to the diverse needs of international exhibitors and visitors.
Growth in the Congress Sector
Koelnmesse’s congress business also saw significant growth in 2025. The Confex conference and exhibition centre, which opened in 2025, quickly established a strong position in the market. With excellent booking numbers through 2030 and early reservations extending into 2032, the venue has proven attractive to various sectors, particularly in the medical field. The 20th Annual Conference of the German Association for Emergency Medicine, which saw 3,000 participants instead of the expected 1,500, exemplified the growing demand for scientific congresses in Cologne.
Koelnmesse’s subsidiary, Koelncongress, also saw increased demand for guest trade fairs, particularly in collaboration with Reed Exhibitions Limited (RX). From 2027 onwards, RX will organise PSI, Europe’s leading trade fair for promotional products, in Cologne. This new permanent event is expected to attract over 11,000 professionals from the promotional products industry.
Challenges and Preparations for 2026
Looking ahead, Koelnmesse anticipates 2026 will be a more challenging year. The company acknowledges that economic recovery in Germany remains slow, and SMEs are facing increased pressures. Additionally, rising costs and geopolitical tensions worldwide are dampening investment and consumption. Despite these hurdles, Koelnmesse is focused on maintaining stability and growth through international cooperation. With 43 foreign events planned for 2026, the company is committed to expanding its global brand portfolio and reinforcing its leadership in key international markets.
Expo Osaka 2025 and Sustainability Efforts
In addition to its strong financial performance, Koelnmesse’s international profile was further boosted through its involvement in Expo Osaka 2025. The company managed the German pavilion at the event, which attracted over three million visitors over 184 days. The pavilion, named “Wa! Germany,” received multiple accolades, including the Sustainability Award and the Silver Award for Theme Development. This successful showcase has opened new business opportunities and strengthened ties with Koelnmesse’s Japanese partners.
Koelnmesse is also making strides towards sustainability. The company aims for a climate-neutral power supply by 2030 and has already expanded its solar module area to 20,000 square meters. Furthermore, it is working towards a complete switch to fossil-free geothermal energy. The project is progressing with the completion of wells and the installation of customised heat pumps.
New Multifunctional Administrative Centre Planned
In a forward-looking move, Koelnmesse has approved the construction of a new multifunctional administrative centre, set to be built near the Cologne Messe/Deutz ICE train station. The project, set to begin after Anuga 2027, will combine office capacity with event logistics and food service infrastructure. This €193 million investment, financed from Koelnmesse’s own resources, reflects the company’s long-term commitment to enhancing the quality and future viability of its location.
Koelnmesse has demonstrated exceptional growth and success in 2025, marked by strong financial results, significant international expansion, and the launch of new event formats. Despite challenges in 2026, the company’s forward-thinking strategies and investments in infrastructure, sustainability, and international partnerships position it for continued success. Koelnmesse’s commitment to creating platforms for global exchange and fostering innovation continues to shape its role as one of the world’s leading trade fair organisers.
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Tags: global expansion, international events, Koelncongress, Koelnmesse, sustainability goals, Trade Fairs, woodworking event, woodworking industry, woodworking UK
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