Hannover. Deutsche Messe AG successfully concluded the 2025 financial year and continues to drive its strategic transformation forward with determination. With revenue of €305 million and a net profit of €18 million, the company performed well despite the continued challenging economic environment.

In total, Deutsche Messe organized 81 trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany and abroad. Around 3.4 million visitors from more than 150 countries and 26,000 exhibiting companies used these events as international platforms for innovation, networking, and business development.

"The 2025 financial year demonstrates that our international portfolio, strong event brands, and clear strategic direction have positioned us well for the future. Especially in economically challenging times, our trade fairs continue to prove their value for companies around the world. At the same time, we are making important strategic decisions to secure the long-term future of our business by expanding our international operations, launching new event formats, and further developing our exhibition grounds in Hanover," says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG.

Deutsche Messe is consistently advancing the modernization of its exhibition grounds. During the Supervisory Board meeting on 30 June 2026, members discussed the phased transformation of the exhibition grounds into a modern, multifunctional venue for exhibitions, conferences, and events. The next step will be to develop concrete scenarios for the site's future development, evaluate them, and submit them to the Supervisory Board for approval.

International Expansion Remains a Key Growth Driver

International business development continues to be a central pillar of Deutsche Messe AG's corporate strategy. During the 2025 financial year, the company organized a total of 48 events abroad, further strengthening its global presence. New additions to the international portfolio included Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia, HOW – Hub of Warehouse in Türkiye, and Xiamen Industrial Fair in China. These new events reinforce Deutsche Messe's position in key international growth markets while unlocking additional business opportunities.

In 2026, Deutsche Messe plans to launch ten new international events. Among the company's largest international exhibitions are PTC ASIA/CeMAT ASIA in Shanghai, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR, and WIN EURASIA in Istanbul. These events exemplify the successful development of Deutsche Messe's international portfolio and the strong global demand for its industry-leading exhibitions.

"International markets continue to grow much more dynamically than many European economies. That is why we are consistently expanding our global presence. Our international events provide companies with access to new markets while strengthening Deutsche Messe's overall competitiveness," says Köckler.

Challenging Conditions Shape the 2026 Financial Year

For the current financial year, Deutsche Messe expects revenue to decline in line with its regular event cycle and anticipates reporting a negative annual result for the first time in three years. The primary reasons are the continued weak economic environment in Germany and Europe, resulting in restrained investment by many companies, combined with the cyclical schedule featuring fewer major flagship events.

"The economic and geopolitical environment remains challenging. Many companies are currently taking a cautious approach to investment, which is affecting some of our events. At the same time, we are seeing that strong event brands can continue to grow even under these conditions. This year's INTERSCHUTZ achieved record figures for exhibition space and exhibitor participation, while formats such as the Real Estate Arena are also developing very positively. We therefore see 2026 as a year of strategic decisions in which we are laying the foundations for our next phase of growth," Köckler explains.

New Events Create Growth Opportunities for 2027

For 2027, the company expects business to gain new momentum through several new and returning event formats in Hanover.

From 9 to 12 March 2027, the German defence and security exhibition DSEI Germany will be held at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds for the first time. Nine months before opening, the exhibition is already fully booked. Due to exceptionally strong demand, additional exhibition space has been made available.

Another new addition to the event calendar is didacta, Europe's largest education trade fair, which will return to Hanover from 23 to 27 February 2027.

A further highlight will be ITMA, the world's leading exhibition for textile and garment technology, which will also return to Hanover from 16 to 22 September 2027, attracting visitors from around the globe.

HANNOVER MESSE also received very positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors. In particular, the new hall layout, additional networking formats, and the Center Stage featuring renowned speakers from industry, politics, and society were highly appreciated and created significant added value for participants.

"2027 will be a year of strong flagship events, new exhibition formats, and major progress in the modernization of our exhibition grounds and the transformation of our company. Combined with the continued expansion of our international business, these developments will enable us to position Deutsche Messe for long-term competitiveness, sustainable economic success, and a strong future," says Köckler.