German Association for Trade Fairs
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| German Association for Trade Fairs | |
|---|---|
| Name | German Association for Trade Fairs |
| Native name | Deutscher Messeverband |
| Formation | 19XX |
| Headquarters | Frankfurt am Main |
| Area served | Germany; international |
| Members | major trade fair organisers, exhibition centres, industry associations |
German Association for Trade Fairs is an umbrella organisation representing organisers and venues for trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany. It serves as a coordination, standards and advocacy body connecting leading institutions such as Messe Frankfurt, Messe Berlin, Messe München, Koelnmesse and Deutsche Messe AG with government agencies like the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and regional authorities including the Hessian Ministry for Economy. The association liaises with sector groups such as the Federation of German Industries and international bodies like the UFI and AUMA-related entities.
History
The association traces origins to early 20th-century trade organisations linked to the revival of fairs in Leipzig and Nuremberg following the World War I and World War II reconstruction periods. In the postwar era it coordinated rebuilding efforts alongside institutions such as Deutsche Messe und Ausstellungsplatz, reflecting influences from the Marshall Plan and the European Coal and Steel Community. During the Cold War the association engaged with planners in Bonn and local chambers like the IHK Frankfurt to restore international exhibitions impacted by the Iron Curtain. In the 1990s it adapted to European integration after the Maastricht Treaty and expanded services during the rise of trade shows for technology sectors represented by firms like Siemens, Bosch, SAP SE and BMW. More recent history includes engagement with digitalisation trends promoted by the Bundesregierung and crises management during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside organisations such as the World Health Organization and the European Commission.
Structure and Membership
The association is governed by an executive board with representatives from major organisers including Messe Frankfurt, Messe Berlin, Messe München, Koelnmesse and venue operators like Hamburger Messe und Congress. Its advisory committees include delegates from industry federations such as the Federation of German Industries, the Confederation of European Business, and sector-specific groups representing exhibitors in automotive (companies like Volkswagen Group, Daimler AG), pharmaceuticals (companies like Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim), and information technology (companies like SAP SE, Deutsche Telekom). The membership base spans municipal exhibition companies in Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and private organisers, with liaison roles for regional development agencies such as Invest in Bavaria and tourism boards including Germany Travel. Committees coordinate with standards bodies like DIN and labour organisations where appropriate.
Functions and Activities
The association sets industry standards and best practices for exhibition operations, working with technical bodies such as DIN, safety regulators tied to Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, and environmental agencies like the Federal Environment Agency. It organises professional development programmes in partnership with institutions such as the Leuphana University of Lüneburg and the Technical University of Munich, provides data and market intelligence drawing on research from the Ifo Institute and ZEW and publishes guidelines used by organisers like Messe Frankfurt and Koelnmesse. It also administers accreditation schemes in cooperation with international networks like the UFI and manages certification processes that intersect with standards from the European Committee for Standardization and legal advice from firms with expertise in European Court of Justice jurisprudence.
Major Events and Initiatives
The association sponsors and co-organises flagship events that convene stakeholders from leading fairs such as IFA (trade show), Hannover Messe, Anuga, BAU, and Medica, collaborating with hosts like Deutsche Messe AG and Koelnmesse. Initiatives include green transition programmes aligned with the European Green Deal and partnerships for digital transformation reflecting policies from the Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr; pilot projects have involved companies such as ABB and Siemens. It runs benchmarking studies featuring data from fairs in Frankfurt am Main and Berlin and convenes conferences with international partners including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Advocacy and Policy Influence
The association engages in advocacy with national bodies such as the Bundestag and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and with European institutions including the European Commission and the European Parliament. It lobbies on issues such as cross-border mobility rules affecting exhibitors from countries under Schengen Agreement protocols and on regulatory frameworks related to health emergencies similar to measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The association provides position papers used in consultations with agencies including the Federal Office for Information Security and collaborates with trade federations like the Federation of German Industries and the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce to influence law-making processes that affect trade fairs.
International Relations and Partnerships
Internationally, the association maintains partnerships with global networks including the UFI and trade fair bodies in China, United States, Brazil and United Arab Emirates through memoranda with entities such as Messe China organisers, the Dallas Market Center, Fira de Barcelona and Dubai World Trade Centre. It supports export promotion with institutions like Germany Trade and Invest and cooperates on development projects with multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and regional development banks. Exchange programmes connect member organisers with counterparts in Paris (Paris Expo Porte de Versailles), Milan (Fiera Milano), Tokyo (Tokyo Big Sight), and Singapore (Suntec Singapore), facilitating technology transfer and joint ventures.