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| Stuttgart Trade Fair | |
|---|---|
| Name | Stuttgart Trade Fair |
| Native name | Messe Stuttgart |
| Location | Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Coordinates | 48.6826°N 9.2099°E |
| Opened | 1960s |
| Owner | Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH |
| Operator | Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH |
| Total space | 120000 m² |
| Exhibit space | 100000 m² |
| Architect | Rolf Gutbrod; later expansions by Thomas Herzog and Gunter Henn |
| Publictransit | Stuttgart Flughafen/Messe Station, Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof |
Stuttgart Trade Fair
Stuttgart Trade Fair is a major exhibition center and event complex in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, hosting national and international trade shows, conventions, and cultural events. It serves as a focal point for industries including automotive industry, manufacturing, information technology, renewable energy, and medical technology, and connects exhibitors and visitors from across Europe, Asia, and North America. The venue works alongside regional institutions such as the Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart administration, regional chambers like the IHK Region Stuttgart, and industry associations including VDMA and ZVEI.
The site’s origins trace to post-World War II reconstruction in Germany and the economic resurgence known as the Wirtschaftswunder, when regional authorities and private chambers such as the Handelskammer sought modern platforms for trade. Early fairs in Stuttgart were influenced by models from the Frankfurt Book Fair and the historic Leipzig Trade Fair. Planning in the 1960s involved municipal planners, architects connected to projects like the Stuttgart TV Tower and the Killesbergpark developments. Over ensuing decades the complex hosted inaugural editions of events tied to the automotive industry like supply-chain expositions that later attracted exhibitors from Daimler AG, Porsche AG, Bosch, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and Mahle GmbH. During the 1990s and 2000s the fairgrounds expanded amid European integration following the Maastricht Treaty and the enlargement of the European Union. The venue adapted to shifts introduced by the digital revolution and global trade fairs such as Hannover Messe, CeBIT, and the Geneva Motor Show, while also staging cultural festivals inspired by institutions like the Stuttgart State Opera and the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.
The architecture evolved through phases led by architects associated with projects like the renovation of Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and the construction of the Stuttgart Airport Terminal. Early halls reflected postwar functionalism seen in projects by engineers linked to Deutsche Bahn infrastructure; later expansions introduced parametric and sustainable elements influenced by designers associated with Zaha Hadid Architects-era trends and German firms such as Behnisch Architekten. Key components include multi-hall pavilions, congress centers modeled on the International Congress Centrum Berlin, flexible exhibition halls comparable to those at Messe Frankfurt and Koelnmesse, and outdoor demonstration areas used for vehicle launches by Audi AG and Ford-Werke GmbH. The site incorporates conference rooms equipped for delegations from bodies like the European Commission, press centers frequented by correspondents from outlets like Deutsche Welle and Süddeutsche Zeitung, and logistics zones coordinated with carriers like DB Schenker and DHL. Energy efficiency retrofits align with standards promoted by institutions such as the Fraunhofer Society and the German Energy Agency.
The calendar includes sector-specific trade shows, consumer fairs, and congresses that attract participants from organizations like VDI, BITKOM, MEDICA-level exhibitors, and associations akin to IFA Berlin. Regular automotive events feature manufacturers and suppliers such as Porsche AG, Daimler AG, Bosch, Continental AG, and Schaeffler. Technology and industrial exhibitions host companies like Siemens, SAP SE, Festo, and Trumpf. Medical and scientific congresses bring delegations from institutions such as the Robert Koch Institute, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and Stuttgart University Hospital. Consumer shows mirror formats seen at Messe München and include lifestyle, garden, and gastronomy fairs with exhibitors drawn from the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) and culinary personalities featured on platforms like ZDF and ARD. Cultural programming has included performances in partnership with the Stuttgart State Ballet, exhibitions in dialogue with the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, and industry award ceremonies similar to the German Design Award presentations.
The fair contributes to regional GDP influences documented in studies by the IHK Region Stuttgart and research by the Institute for Economic Research (IfW), generating hotel bookings at groups like Marriott International and Steigenberger Hotels, and feeding the hospitality supply chain represented by HRS and Booking.com listings. Direct economic effects include contracting with local engineering firms such as Stihl-suppliers, catering firms linked to Kuffler-style operations, and logistics providers including Dachser and UPS. Cultural spillovers link to museums and arts organizations such as the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Haus der Geschichte, and festival platforms like Stuttgarter Zeitung-backed events. Academic collaborations involve University of Stuttgart, Universität Hohenheim, and research centers like the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), fostering technology transfer and startup incubation in sectors overlapping with regional clusters associated with Baden-Württemberg Stiftung.
The complex is integrated with the Stuttgart Airport via Stuttgart Flughafen/Messe Station and connected to long-distance and regional rail networks through Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and services by Deutsche Bahn. Local public transit links include lines operated by Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB) and regional buses coordinated with the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart (VVS). Road access is served by the A8 (Germany), A81 (Germany), and federal routes that interface with logistics corridors used by freight carriers like DB Cargo and Hupac. International visitors arrive through hubs such as Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport, and Zurich Airport, with connections via high-speed services like the Intercity-Express.
Management is undertaken by Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH, which cooperates with municipal stakeholders including the Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart and state-level entities in Baden-Württemberg. Governance structures reflect practices observed in other major venues such as Messe Frankfurt GmbH and Koelnmesse GmbH, incorporating advisory boards with representatives from industry federations like BDI and trade unions similar to IG Metall. Strategic partnerships have involved technology providers including Siemens AG and logistics partners such as DB Schenker. Ownership models combine municipal participation and corporate investment, aligning commercial objectives with regional development strategies promoted by bodies like Wirtschaftsministerium Baden-Württemberg.
Category:Trade fairs in Germany Category:Buildings and structures in Stuttgart