COUNTRY PROFILES
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Print article MESSE FRANKFURT
Welcome to Messe Frankfurt –
Your Key to the World’s Markets
Messe Frankfurt has become one of the biggest exhibition organisers in the world — in terms of both sales and its international reach and global operations
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Some 14 subsidiaries, five branch offices, 50 foreign representative offices and 120 trade shows spanning the globe comprise a solid network connecting over 57,100 exhibitors and 3.4 million visitors worldwide. Messe Frankfurt’s portfolio of events currently covers some 30 locations all over the planet. Trade shows follow the trend towards globalisation and have to match the international character of their industries. In the mid-1980s, Messe Frankfurt became the first exhibition organiser in Germany to establish a number of events overseas in order to bring its international strategy to fruition. The exhibition grounds in Frankfurt now host leading international shows for architecture and technology as well as for consumer goods, textiles and automotive technology, and are the third largest in the world, measuring 475,000 square metres. Some 42 shows were held here in 2005, attracting a total of 36,300 exhibitors and 2.3 million visitors. Brands originally created in Frankfurt, such as Ambiente, Heimtextil, Automechanika, Light+Building and ISH, have toured the world successfully.
Today’s trade shows are highly efficient marketing instruments for the global economy. Messe Frankfurt is in many ways an invaluable marketing partner for its customers. Our global calendar of events, perfectly co-ordinated in terms of content and time, helps companies eager to expand on their way toward globalisation. Direct exposure “on the ground” gives exhibitors an ideal opportunity to enter local markets. Retailers gain access to new products, while export-oriented regional suppliers who are unable to make it to Frankfurt for the major shows are provided with a platform for product presentations and thereby a solid base for further growth. For SMEs, in particular, our foreign shows as such represent affordable and unrivalled access to the global market. A crucial factor here is that exhibitors and visitors, regardless of which part of the planet they hail from, can rely on the service and quality of a global partner. Messe Frankfurt’s foreign business has more than quadrupled in recent years to some 70 events. Key regions here are Asia and the Americas.
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Long tradition of business with US companies
Messe Frankfurt was represented in the US via chambers of commerce until 1991, when it set up its own subsidiary in the country. The US is one of the most highly represented countries at shows staged in Frankfurt, being the fifth biggest visitor nation (with around 15,000 trade visitors) and also ranking among the top 10 in terms of exhibitors.
From its base in Atlanta, Messe Frankfurt Inc. currently organises seven trade shows in the US, some in collaboration with North American associations. These include Techtextil North America, ISH North America, Electric Automation America, Paperworld USA and Interior Lifestyle USA. Paperworld USA is co-produced with SHOPA, one of the biggest US associations for school, home and office supplies, and with PROPAPER, Spain’s association for the stationery marketplace. Elsewhere on the continent, there is the Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo, while the PAACE Automechanika Mexico is hosted every year in collaboration with three US associations in Mexico City.
Strategy of successful growth
Messe Frankfurt is set to further continue its strategy of worldwide growth. Our corporate strategy comprises the four pillars of internationalisation, partnerships, innovation and diversification, ie expansion to include additional business segments. Trade shows created in Frankfurt illustrate our expertise in developing and running leading international events, and exporting them throughout the world as successful brands. An extensive €300m modernisation programme over the next 10 years will see existing halls replaced with new, stateof- the-art buildings. With a competitive location, new products, successful internationalisation and a hugely effective global sales and marketing network, Messe Frankfurt is determined to firmly consolidate its position as the world’s number two show organiser over the next few years.
Information about Messe Frankfurt GmbH
Management:
Michael von Zitzewitz (Chairman of the Board of Management)
Dr. Michael Peters
Detlef Braun
Uwe Behm
Group sales: €371m
Workforce worldwide: 1,289
14 subsidiaries, five branch offices,
50 foreign representative
offices, covering 151 countries
120 shows worldwide, 57,100 exhibitors, 3.4 million visitors
Exhibition centre in Frankfurt:
Total area: 475,000 square metres
Indoor exhibition space: 324,277 square metres across nine halls
Outdoor exhibition space: 83,163 square metres
Information about fairs in the US contact:
Messe Frankfurt Inc., Geschäftsführer: David Audrain, 1600 Parkwoold Circle, Ste. 515, Atlanta, GA 30339, USA -
Tel: +1 770 9848016 - Fax: +1 770 9848023 - E-mail: info@usa.messefrankfurt.com