Two Messes announce record sales worth combined €1.2bn

Two German Messes have announced record sales worth a combined €1.2 billion.

Messe Frankfurt projects it will hit €770 million in 2024, while Messe München has confirmed it secured over €440m last year. Read below for the full details.

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

• Two German Messes announce record sales worth €1.2bn
• IEG signs agreement with Deutsche Messe for Hydrogen Show
• UFI ramps up marketing strategy with new appointment

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Two German Messes announce record sales worth €1.2bn

Leading German tradeshow organizers Messe Frankfurt and Messe München have announced record sales worth a combined €1.2bn

Messe Frankfurt anticipates 25% yearly growth to reach €770m in 2024 – the highest in the company’s history.

Meanwhile, Messe München closed a global sales record of €441m in 2023 without the leading construction machinery trade fair Bauma.

Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt, said: “Messe Frankfurt’s portfolio and extensive global network are USPs that we constantly hone to keep our core business robust and flexible in globally challenging markets and in a volatile geopolitical environment.

“We are busy rolling out products and breaking into new markets around the world for our customers.”

Messe München CEOs Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel said: “Trade fairs will play an even more central role in the coming years by providing a platform for the global economy, innovative solutions and knowledge transfer.

“We are a global player with firm roots in Munich. This also means establishing our trade fairs in the most important global markets.”

Here are the key details:

Messe Frankfurt

2023 record performance 

• Sales increased by one-third to €609m vs €454.2m in 2022.
• Consolidated sales outside Germany reached €275m (2022: €140.2 million), accounting for 45% of Group sales (2022: 31%).
• Sales in Germany were €334m vs €313.9m in 2022.

€50m jump in EBITDA

• EBITDA rose to approximately €91m vs €41m in 2022.
• EBITDA margin was 14.9% (2022: 8.9%).
• Consolidated annual net income was around €19m (2022: net loss of €-25.7m).

300+ events with 86k+ exhibitors

• Hosted 349 events with 86,400 exhibiting companies and over 4.3m visitors.
• Record 81% of exhibitors in Frankfurt were international.
• 54% of retail buyers came from outside Germany, exceeding German exhibition venue averages.

Outlook for FY 2024 – profitable and sustainable growth agenda

• Emphasis on profitable and faster growth.
• Strong event brands with key flagship events in Frankfurt and globally.
• Over 20 new events planned for 2024 and 2025.
• Operations in more than 50 global locations.
• Strategic global sales network with 28 subsidiaries and over 50 sales partners.

Messe München

Record financial performance

• Achieved consolidated sales of €441m, the second-best in the company’s 60-year history.
• Consolidated EBITDA totaled €91m.
• Foreign subsidiaries contributed approximately €100m to the turnover, especially strong in China post-COVID-19

Strong Portfolio and Exhibitions

• Hosted 19 of its own trade fairs and cooperations and 93 guest events in Munich.
• Attracted 32,400 exhibitors and 2m visitors, surpassing expectations.
• Organized 40 events and cooperations abroad, demonstrating global reach.

International Participation

• Nearly 60% of exhibitors and 35% of visitors were from abroad.

IEG signs agreement with Deutsche Messe for Hydrogen Show

The Italian Exhibition Group and Hannover Fairs International GmbH are joining forces to launch a Hydrogen Show.

IEG will work with the Italian branch of Deutsche Messe AG to unveil the project at the upcoming KEY Expo.

This collaboration signifies a major push to accelerate the development of hydrogen as a key solution for reducing emissions and achieving a sustainable future.

IEG CEO Corrado Peraboni said: “We have always believed in the potential of hydrogen, which is why we included it in the exhibition areas of KEY from the very beginning.

“We are proud to announce today a new joint-venture with a partner of great relevance and experience such as Hannover Fairs International GmbH, which, as of the next edition of KEY, will allow us to further strengthen the presence of hydrogen within our event with its own specific exhibition, destined to become a reference point at international level.”

The new Hydrogen Show will be integrated within KEY Expo, IEG’s leading event dedicated to energy transition and efficiency in Southern Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

The show will take place at the Rimini Expo Centre from March 5-7, 2025. It will leverage the expertise of Hydrogen & Fuel Cells, a world-renowned event organized by Deutsche Messe AG.

Andreas Züge, general manager of Hannover Fairs International GmbH, Italian Branch, added: “For almost 30 years, Deutsche Messe AG has been organising Hydrogen + Fuel Cells EUROPE, a successful format where all market players can exchange ideas each year as part of Hannover Messe.

“Germany and Italy are the most important industrial partners in Europe and share a common vision of hydrogen.

“We are therefore proud to be able to work together with IEG to create positive synergies and an innovative and attractive platform in Italy.”

IEG and HFI’s collaboration creates a one-stop shop for industry leaders to explore hydrogen’s potential.

UFI ramps up marketing strategy with new appointment

UFI has hired a new marketing leader to strengthen its member and industry connections.

Pierre Aurélien Vidon will now head the association’s marketing and communication division.

His primary responsibilities will involve reshaping UFI’s image and crafting strategic campaigns to amplify its mission and member-actions.

? Join us in welcoming Pierre Aurélien Vidon to the UFI team! ?

? Read the full media release here: https://t.co/714GnRgPBL#ufi #ufiteam #welcome #marketing #communications #eventprofs pic.twitter.com/Pzyll5e4iZ

— UFI (@UFILive) June 27, 2024

Adeline Vancauwelaert, COO of UFI, said: “Pierre Aurélien Vidon’s addition to our team marks an exciting new chapter for UFI.

“His forward-thinking approach and extensive experience will be invaluable to enhancing our engagement and showcasing the impactful work of our members and stakeholders.

“We are confident that his vision and leadership will help further the global reach of the exhibition industry.”

Pierre added: “I’m thrilled to join UFI and bring my expertise to an organisation deeply rooted in our industry’s history, dedicated to uniting professionals around values of mutual support and collaboration.

“I’m eager to explore this new sector and immerse myself in an international work environment deeply connected to the world’s biggest challenges.”

Pierre’s background includes a Master’s in International Luxury Marketing from ISTEC, France, and extensive experience in marketing and communication across fashion, retail and insurance sectors.

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