© Koelnmesse GmbH, Foto: moka studio

Koelnmesse

innovative, future-oriented & sustainable

Koelnmesse 3.0

Koelnmesse's goal is to create the world's most attractive inner-city trade fair center on a sustainable foundation and, going forward, to continue to provide the right setting for trade fairs, events, and congresses in Cologne. To this end, Koelnmesse plans to invest significantly in the future of the site by 2040. These include modernizations and new buildings. From 2024, for example, Confex will feature a modern 6,200-person event space for new conference and exhibition formats and will close the long-standing gap in the regional congress venue offering. Even during the construction phase, Confex received platinum pre-certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).

In addition, the commissioning of one of Cologne's largest inner-city photovoltaic systems and the preparation of the exhibition grounds for the use of fossil-free geothermal energy are further significant steps towards a climate-neutral energy supply.
 

 

11

Exhibition halls

400.000  

Indoor and outdoor space

19.500  pax

Conference capacity

© Koelnmesse GmbH, Foto: moka studio

Quality before quantity

Against the backdrop of changing customer requirements, the Koelnmesse 3.0 project's primary focus is not on adding space, but rather on optimizing the existing space, optimizing the flexibility of the trade fair center, and strengthening the link between trade fairs and congresses as a viable business model for the future. In this context, it is important to Koelnmesse that the trade fair center is easily accessible and that low-carbon mobility options are implemented.

 

Facing the future: digital, mobile, and intelligent

As a trade fair organizer, Koelnmesse is already first and foremost a communications service provider offering a wide range of services. Trade fair venues are becoming event spaces. That is why Koelnmesse is investing in more than just bricks and mortar. Indeed, the digitization of infrastructure and processes is also an important strategic pillar. Major steps have already been taken here and the results demonstrate that it's working!

 

Leading events at Koelnmesse

With events such as Anuga, ISM, gamescom, imm cologne, DMEXCO and spoga+gafa held at Koelnmesse's Cologne location and numerous events worldwide, Koelnmesse consistently maintains its competitive advantage and continues to rank among the top ten global trade fair organizers. Just a stone's throw from downtown Cologne and immediately connected to the German and international transport network, it attracts guests and visitors from all over the world.

  • Open detail page 'International Hardware Fair Cologne'
    Logo Internationale Eisenwarenmesse
    © (c) Koelnmesse, Koelnmesse GmbH
    International Hardware Fair Cologne03.03.2026 - 07.03.2026
    4 dates
    All day
    Commerce, Industry, Economy
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'didacta'
    A speaker is standing in front of an audience in a conference room. The earth can be seen on the screen.
    © © Koelnmesse GmbH, Uwe Weiser
    didacta10.03.2026 - 15.03.2026
    5 dates
    All day
    Commerce, Industry, Economy
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'gamescom lan'
    An exhibition hall filled with gamers sitting in front of PCs
    © Axel_Schulten, KölnTourismus GmbH, Foto: Axel Schulten
    gamescom lan20.03.2026 - 23.03.2026
    3 dates
    All day
    Leisure, Sport
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'h+h cologne'
    Logo h+h Cologne
    © @ Koelnmesse GmbH
    h+h cologne20.03.2026 - 23.03.2026
    3 dates
    All day
    Culture, Lifestyle
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'EMV - Hub for Electromagnetic Compatibility'
    A conference speaker presents content to an audience at a trade fair entitled "emv Forum".
    © Copyright: Mesago / Mathias Kutt
    EMV - Hub for Electromagnetic Compatibility24.03.2026
    1 date
    All day
    Commerce, Industry, Economy
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'IAW'
    IAW Logo
    © Nordwestdeutsche Messegesellschaft Bremen-Hannover mbH
    IAW24.03.2026 - 11.09.2026
    6 dates
    All day
    Commerce, Industry, Economy
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'digitalBAU'
    © Messe München GmbH
    digitalBAU24.03.2026 - 27.03.2026
    3 dates
    All day
    Commerce, Industry, Economy
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'FIBO'
    Logo FIBO
    FIBO16.04.2026 - 20.04.2026
    4 dates
    All day
    Leisure, Sport
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'NRW Kongress 2026'
    © KölnTourismus GmbH, Axel Schulten
    NRW Kongress 202620.04.2026 - 22.04.2026
    2 dates
    All day
    Health, Sport
    Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Köln
  • Open detail page 'Radio Advertising Summit'
    Logo Radio Advertising Summit
    © Radiozentrale GmbH
    Radio Advertising Summit23.04.2026
    1 date
    All day
    Communication, Media, IT
    Girlitzweg 30, 50829 Köln (Köln West)
  • Open detail page 'RDA Group Travel Expo'
    Logo RDA
    RDA Group Travel Expo28.04.2026 - 30.04.2026
    2 dates
    All day
    Leisure, Sport
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
  • Open detail page 'Live!Expo'
    Koelnmesse Eingang Süd
    © © Koelnemesse GmbH, Koelnmesse GmbH
    Live!Expo29.04.2026
    1 date
    All day
    Commerce, Industry, Economy
    Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln

Discover the Congress-Centrum Koelnmesse – a congress and conference venue that leaves nothing to be desired with space for up to 9.600 people as well as the new multitalent by Koelncongress: Confex®!

FAQs - Frequently asked questions