Hannover, Germany. Despite the tense overall economic situation, Deutsche Messe AG expects to close the 2025 financial year with a profit in the double-digit million range. At today’s meeting of the Supervisory Board in Hanover, the company confirmed projected revenues of around 305 million euros and an annual result of 13 million euros.

“This result is clear evidence that we made the right operational and strategic decisions in 2025,” said Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG. “At the same time, it is becoming apparent that the economic conditions at Germany’s industrial base will be even more challenging in the coming year. That makes it all the more important for us to continue targeted investments in formats that deliver tangible added value for our exhibitors as well as for our visitors.”

Dr. Holger Feist to join the Executive Board

The Supervisory Board has also appointed Dr. Holger Feist (56) as a new member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Messe AG. He will take up his position on May 1, 2025.

Dr. Feist brings many years of experience in consulting, media, digitalization and the international trade-fair industry. After studying economics and completing his doctorate, he began his professional career with McKinsey & Company in Munich before moving to Burda Intermedia Publishing / Hubert Burda Media, where he was responsible for advancing digital business models.

He subsequently joined Messe München as Chief Strategy Officer, playing a key role in the international strategic alignment and development of the company. Since 2023, Dr. Feist has been Managing Partner at the Nunatak Group, a consultancy specializing in digital transformation and growth strategies with offices in Munich, Berlin and Zurich.

“We are delighted to have gained Dr. Feist as a candidate who brings both strategic and digital expertise. Combined with his deep understanding of the trade-fair industry, he is ideally suited to address the current challenges and opportunities in the trade-fair business together with Dr. Köckler and the entire workforce,” said Grant Hendrik Tonne, Minister of Economic Affairs of Lower Saxony and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Messe AG.

New business continues to grow – in Germany and abroad

In addition to successful, established trade fairs such as HANNOVER MESSE, LIGNA and infa, the development of new trade-fair formats as well as the expansion into new markets at home and abroad are key pillars of Deutsche Messe AG’s strategic direction – and with growing success. One example is the successful premiere of the new Pro Care trade fair, which took place in Hanover for the first time in 2025 and immediately received strong approval from the care sector.

The security and defense trade fair DSEI Germany, which will take place in Hanover for the first time in 2027 and is jointly organized by Deutsche Messe AG and the UK-based trade-fair organizer Clarion, is also already receiving significant interest from industry and politics and promises to deliver a successful premiere.

Alongside its strong home market, Deutsche Messe AG is also expanding its international portfolio. Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia will celebrate its premiere in Riyadh in December of this year. And following a successful industrial congress in Morocco in September 2025, another important milestone will follow next September: the first edition of the Industrial Transformation Africa (ITA) trade fair will take place there.

“This year alone, we were able to stage 11 new trade fairs worldwide. In doing so, we are continuing our growth path at home and abroad and opening up additional attractive markets for our customers,” Köckler emphasized.

Guest events continue to rely on Hanover

2025 has also shown that the Hanover exhibition center remains highly attractive for guest organizers – associations and organizations that rent the fairgrounds to stage their own events. This year, Deutsche Messe AG and the Didacta Association successfully formalized the return of didacta, Europe’s largest education trade fair. The event will once again take place on the Hanover exhibition grounds in 2027.

AGRITECHNICA, the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, also set new records in Hanover this year. Around 2,900 exhibiting companies welcomed more than 475,000 visitors from all over the world. “This places Hanover in the top league of trade-fair venues. There are only a few locations worldwide capable of handling such crowds in terms of organization, hospitality and transportation,” said Jochen Köckler.

Hanover’s ability to host major events is also underscored by the decision of the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW). The VDW, organizer of EMO – the world’s leading trade fair for production technology – has announced that EMO will continue to be held in Hanover. The venue had previously been put out to tender in Germany, and Hanover clearly prevailed in the selection process.

Dr. Jochen Köckler: “We thank our partners at the VDW for their confidence in our location and in the team at Deutsche Messe AG. We look forward to continuing this successful cooperation well into the future.”

Outlook for the 2026 financial year

For the structurally weaker trade-fair year 2026, Deutsche Messe AG expects revenues of around 250 million euros. In addition to annually recurring events such as DOMOTEX, HANNOVER MESSE and IAA TRANSPORTATION, 2026 will also feature INTERSCHUTZ – the world’s leading trade fair for rescue services, firefighting and civil protection, held every four years. For 2027, Deutsche Messe AG is once again aiming for revenues exceeding 300 million euros.