A total of 67 events worldwide contributed to this success, including 19 own events, 21 guest events and 3 corporate events in Cologne. The response from international exhibitors was particularly outstanding at 78 per cent. ‘The year 2023 was an impressive comeback, with which Koelnmesse has regained its former radiance,’ says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH. Supported by the RECOVER25 efficiency programme, Koelnmesse generated a preliminary positive result of 42 million euros and thus significantly exceeded its own expectations.
The increase in turnover of more than 70 per cent is based on the elimination of the corona-related restrictions and the regular strong odd-numbered event year. While Koelnmesse achieved sales above the 400 million euro mark for the first time in 2019, sales slumped to 94.3 million euros in 2020 and only recovered slowly in the following years to initially 134.2 million euros (2021) and 240 million euros (2022). In the 2023 financial year, Group turnover increased to a provisional 416 million euros.
‘The shareholders have supported Koelnmesse during the difficult pandemic years. I have always been convinced that the trade fair business needs personal contact. The development of the figures confirms this. I am glad that the trade fair has recovered so well from the crisis. Koelnmesse also owes this successful trade fair year to its committed employees,’ said Henriette Reker, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Mayor of Cologne, emphasising the contribution of the workforce to the company's success.
The number of employees in the Koelnmesse Group rose to an average of 1,106 in 2023 (previous year: 1,017), which is higher than in the pre-corona years. Nationwide, the trade fair business in Cologne secures over 18,500 full-time jobs in the retail, trade, transport, logistics, hotel and catering sectors.
In 2023, Koelnmesse's programme featured 67 events worldwide, attended by over 37,800 exhibiting companies from 126 countries and more than 1.7 million visitors from 217 countries. ‘The 2023 trade fair year has shown impressively: Trade fairs remain an indispensable driver for the economy and are irreplaceable as a platform for the exchange of innovation and pioneering ideas,’ said Gerald Böse. Now more than ever, trade fairs are an important component for the challenges of the future and make a significant contribution to shaping a sustainable economy.
Koelncongress, the subsidiary responsible for the guest organiser, congress and event business, also exceeded its own earnings expectations for 2023 with an expected result of seven million euros.
Strong international position
Gerald Böse is also positive about the international trade fair business: ‘Our new international business is more dynamic than ever before and we celebrated four premieres in 2023.’ A total of 24 trade fairs organised by Koelnmesse took place abroad. A highlight was once again THAIFEX - Anuga Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, which will be split into a food and a HoReCa (hotel/restaurant/catering) area and expanded to include additional segments from 2024 due to the high demand. Sales generated abroad totalled EUR 45.2 million in 2023.
Koelnmesse also started the 2024 trade fair year abroad with a tailwind. A total of 27 trade fairs are planned abroad in the current year. With ten subsidiaries abroad and a company holding as well as numerous representative offices, Koelnmesse is strategically very well positioned internationally in over 100 countries.
Strong presence of German retail chains at current events
‘The trade's handbrake on the trade fair has been released,’ says Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse. He is particularly pleased that, following a strong comeback by foreign exhibitors, German exhibitors are now also returning with an increase in bookings of 15 to 30 per cent in some cases. This upward trend is also reflected in the rising number of trade fair visitors from Germany, with an increase of over 20 per cent.
‘Almost all retail chains from Germany were once again represented at the current trade fairs in Cologne. Many retailers placed substantial orders and order volumes directly on site,’ reports Frese based on feedback from exhibiting companies.
2024: With a tailwind into a weaker year due to the rotation
Despite record sales in 2023, Koelnmesse will not remain unaffected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Losses during this period also reached record levels, meaning that the company will be busy recovering from these financial setbacks for many years to come. Individual measures of the Koelnmesse 3.0 investment programme have been postponed until 2040 and, despite the very successful 2023 financial year, Koelnmesse will continue to pursue its RECOVER25 efficiency programme in the coming years. An important focus will be on reducing debt and rebuilding equity in order to ensure a solid financial basis.
‘We have once again planned the financial year ambitiously, but at the same time we recognise that there are still many challenges ahead of us and that we are operating in volatile markets,’ says authorised signatory Volker Ahrberg, looking ahead to the current year. Based on the expected economic and business development, the planned turnover for the Group is EUR 369.5 million in 2024, which will be a weaker year due to the rotation of business. ‘It is important not to lose sight of what we are all about: a financially sustainable trade fair industry as the basis for a good future.’ 70 events are scheduled for the current trade fair year. The trade fair highlights in the second half of 2024 in Cologne include the leading international trade fairs spoga+gafa, gamescom, DMEXCO and ORGATEC.
100 years of Koelnmesse:A success story of global stature and continuous innovation
The announcement of the positive figures coincides with the 100th anniversary of Koelnmesse, which was opened on 11 May 1924 by the then Mayor of the City of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer. From the first sample fair for household goods, hardware, textiles and furniture, which Koelnmesse organised in 1924 in the old Rheinhallen, today the headquarters of RTL and ntv, the company has developed into one of the largest trade fair companies in the world.
In the presence of NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst, Koelnmesse will celebrate its 100th anniversary on 28 June with a ceremony in the new Confex congress and event centre, which will be opened on the same day. ‘With the Confex, Cologne is joining the league of top European conference centres,’ says Gerald Böse. Thanks to its location directly at the Deutz ICE railway station, it will open up the Citymesse Köln even further towards the Rhine and the cathedral and characterise the cityscape. The Confex offers space for more than 6,000 people in 22 conference rooms and the large, multifunctional Confexhall and is already largely fully booked for 2024. A similarly large venue was previously lacking in western Germany. ‘We are planning to double turnover in our congress business over the next five years,’ continues Böse. Another important step towards securing Koelnmesse's future in the long term.
Find out more about Koelnmesse here.