100 years Koelnmesse

Name: Koelnmesse
Location: Koelnmesse GmbH

We energize your business since 1924.

The sustainable marketplace

Climate neutral by 2030

Confex: a mix of conference and exhibition centre

Confex – the new multi-talent

A nationally unique pilot project: Koelnmesse is set to implement CO2-free heating at one of the world’s largesttrade fair centers

Within the framework of a new energy partnership with E.ON and RheinEnergie, by 2028, Koelnmesse will have completely switched the heating supply for its exhibition centre in Cologne – the eighth largest trade fair site in the world – to climate-friendly technology. The systems used will be powered by sustainable sources such as air, groundwater and the sun. In innovative combination with the RheinEnergie district heating system, this new heating concept will secure significant energy and CO2 savings amounting to 5,800 tonnes per year. These plans form part of the sustainability strategy that Koelnmesse is launching today, which involves the company and Koelnmesse's own events reaching the requirements for climate-neutrality as early as 2030. This is five years earlier than initially planned.

100 years of Koelnmesse

Historical pictures, personal souvenirs and special memories - we are celebrating 100 years of company history. Since 1924, Koelnmesse has been bringing people and markets together while driving innovation and international growth. On our anniversary website, we delve into Koelnmesse's past and celebrate it's continuing success that has resulted from a long and eventful history.

Koelnmesse named "Company of the Year" 2024

DEUTSCHLAND TEST and FOCUS MONEY have named Koelnmesse "Company of the Year" 2024 in a study conducted by IMWF (Institute for Management and Economic Research). "We are delighted to take first place among trade fair locations in Germany. This achievement further confirms our continued efforts to offer our trade fair visitors and exhibitors first-class experiences. It recognises our success and serves as an incentive in our ongoing pursuit of innovative and sustainable paths for our customers in the future," says Koelnmesse CEO, Gerald Böse.

A career at Koelnmesse

Help us impress! As an employer, Koelnmesse offers you a wide range of opportunities.

Everything about Koelnmesse as an employer

Trade fair halls and exhibition center

Koelnmesse's exhibition halls are centrally located in Cologne's city centre, right at the heart of Europe's largest economic region.

Find out more about our halls and trade fair grounds

Koelncongress.The right place.

Koelncongress GmbH originated from the distinguished companies KölnKongress GmbH and Koelnmesse Ausstellungen GmbH, and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koelnmesse GmbH. With around 1,700 events a year in the business units Guest Fairs, Congresses & Meetings, Corporate Events, and Social Events, Culture & Concerts, Koelncongress is one of the leading event service providers in Germany. Based on the experience and know-how of 30 years in business, an extensive portfolio of top-notch locations in the city centre, and the conceptual strength of a full-service partner, Koelncongress offers tailor-made solutions for successful events in the metropolis of Cologne.

KOELNCONGRESS. THE RIGHT PLACE.

Confex – the new multi-talent

Flexibility, attractiveness and eventization are the emerging requirements for innovative event formats. The fusion of conference and exhibition, the staging of topics through a more compelling variety of experiences, the digital presentation of hybrid trade fairs through the use of sophisticated media technology and modern IT infrastructure: That is what Confex is all about!

Find out more here

On the events in Ukraine

At Koelnmesse we are closely following developments in Ukraine. The Russian attack stands in absolute opposition to our own values. As a trade fair organiser, we stand wholeheartedly for peaceful coexistence and free trade around the world.

The war has caused tremendous uncertainty and commotion regarding unrestricted service provision, monetary transactions and passenger transport between Russia, Belarus and Europe or Germany in particular. We are therefore suspending the participation of Russian and Belarusian exhibitors on our physical and digital platforms until further notice. However, we remain in contact with our partners in Russia, some of whom have been with us for many years and who unfortunately cannot attend our trade fairs now in Cologne.