CloserStill Media acquires German HR trade fair

CloserStill Media has bought Munich-based HR trade fair Personalmesse München from AFAG Messen.

The acquisition expands the organizer’s German events portfolio while growing its Zukunft Personal brand of HR industry events. Read more about it below.

Here are the top headlines for your weekly event news updates:

• CloserStill Media acquires German HR trade fair
• ECA to hold Legislative Action Day on May 29
• Coventry Building Society Arena steps up sustainability efforts
• DECHEMA partners with Gulf Energy for US process tech event 

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CloserStill Media acquires German HR trade fair

CloserStill Media has acquired Personalmesse München, a human resources trade fair in Germany, from previous organizer AFAG.

The event will continue under its established name while integrating with CloserStill’s Zukunft Personal brand.

This acquisition expands CloserStill Media’s presence in Munich and adds another event to its Zukunft Personal portfolio of HR industry shows.

Henning and Thilo Könicke, managing directors of AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH, said: “We are very pleased to leave the Personalmesse München in good hands.

“We have no doubt that the event will thrive under its new ownership and continue to evolve successfully in the coming years.”

Astird Jager, managing director of CloserstillMedia Germany, added:  “We are very excited to add this long-standing event to our ZP portfolio.

“Together with the Zukunft Personal brand, we aim to further develop Munich as a leading hub for HR topics and create a platform for inspiration, innovation and networking.”

Personalmesse München features exhibitions and forums focused on HR technology, workplace transformation, talent management and employee well-being.

The event provides a platform for HR professionals to network and explore solutions through exhibition spaces and two program stages.

ECA to hold Legislative Action Day on May 29

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) will host its 2025 Legislative Action Day in Washington, D.C., bringing industry leaders to Capitol Hill to advocate for business events policy priorities.

The event on May 29 will come after the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum on May 28 and the mdg Executive Roundtable on May 27.

ECA vice president Tommy Goodwin said: “From tax reform to workforce development, 2025 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for the industry in our nation’s capital.

“That’s why it’s critical that everyone in the industry makes plans to be part of ECA Legislative Action Day this May.”

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗖𝗔 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱!

ECA's 2025 Legislative Action Day will take place in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 29th.

Register for free at 𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗗𝗮𝘆.𝗰𝗼𝗺.https://t.co/aC2DcMs9oM pic.twitter.com/P6aXzJRS8R

— Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (@ECAadvocacy) February 6, 2025

Lippman Connects, organizer of the executives forum, will serve as a platinum sponsor for the Legislative Action Day.

Kimberly Hardcastle, mdg president, added: “We’re excited to kick off such an important week with a facilitated conversation on the essential role vision plays in guiding long-range event and portfolio planning.

“Legislative Advocacy Day will then serve as a perfect complement to this conversation, as industry professionals will be much more likely to realize their vision if their elected officials are working to enhance the business environment in which we operate.”

Graduate students from the George Washington University School of Business will participate through a partnership with the school’s business-government relations course.

Coventry Building Society Arena steps up sustainability efforts

Coventry Building Society Arena has announced a partnership with energy provider E.ON to reduce its carbon emissions.

The three-year sustainability plan builds on E.ON’s 15-year strategic energy partnership with Coventry City Council established in 2023 to transform the city’s carbon reduction initiatives.

The initial phase will evaluate options for carbon reduction at the venue, including potential rooftop solar panel installations and electric vehicle charging stations for visitors.

Paul Michael, managing director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “This is a major milestone for our business and we are proud to be partnering with E.ON to drive the next stage of our sustainability strategy.

“E.ON is headquartered in Coventry and already has a strategic partnership in place with Coventry City Council, so this was a natural fit when we were identifying a partner as it will enable us to contribute effectively to the city’s wider strategy.

“Our partnership with E.ON isn’t only about making our own venue as sustainable as possible, it’s about making a real difference in Coventry too and inspiring communities and other businesses to think critically about their use of energy.”

Future phases may include upgrading the arena’s heating and cooling systems to eliminate gas usage and enable renewable energy alternatives.

The partnership aims to improve the venue’s energy efficiency while supporting Coventry City Council’s climate change strategy and encouraging similar initiatives from local businesses.

Vijay Tank, chief commercial officer at E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions UK, added:

“The Coventry Building Society Arena is an iconic venue in our home city and we’re proud to be working in partnership with the team to develop its sustainability plan, supporting the Arena’s commitment to a greener future.

“Via our Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry City Council, it will also act as a cornerstone to the city-wide approach which is helping to give people and businesses more opportunities to shape a more sustainable future together.

“We’re also demonstrating in Coventry and across the whole country, that by taking on a key playmaker role and acting together to make new energy work, we can develop not just a more sustainable future, but also more job opportunities and growth for communities and whole cities.”

DECHEMA partners with Gulf Energy for US process tech event 

DECHEMA and Gulf Energy Information have partnered to launch ChemE Show – a process technology event scheduled for June 2026 in Houston.

The annual event will focus on chemical engineering, biotechnology and downstream processing developments in North America’s chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

John Royall, CEO of Gulf Energy Information, said: “This partnership brings together two powerhouse organizations committed to advancing innovation in the chemical and energy industry operations.

“By combining ACHEMA’s legacy with Gulf’s expertise in media and events, we’re creating a unique space for professionals to connect, collaborate, and drive the industry forward.”

Dr Björn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA Exhibitions, added: “For more than a century, ACHEMA has been the central hub for innovation in chemical and pharmaceutical engineering and technology, and we are excited to expand this impact to North America.

“The ChemE Show will serve as a vital bridge between global markets, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among engineers and industry professionals.”

ChemE Show will operate in conjunction with DECHEMA’s ACHEMA trade show in Frankfurt, with standalone U.S. events planned for 2026 and 2028. The program will include a dedicated track at ACHEMA 2027 in Germany.

The event will feature keynote presentations, technical sessions on topics including sustainability and digital transformation, and an exhibition floor for industry technology.

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