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

100 years of Koelnmesse: Adenauer's vision

In 1924, Konrad Adenauer, former Lord Mayor of Cologne, formulated the founding mission of Koelnmesse. An insight into his vision and the development of Koelnmesse over the last 100 years can be viewed here.

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.

Koelnmesse as a guest at NRW Summer Festival

Together with Cologne Bonn Airport, Koelnmesse presented the advantages and strengths of the city of Cologne at NRW Summer Festival in Berlin. Around 1,500 guests were able to see the diversity of North Rhine-Westphalia’s economic portfolio, to network and to meet with customers, partners, journalists and politicians.

Koelnmesse welcomes around 3 million visitors from all over the world at the Cologne Trade Fair Centre. They all contribute not only to the success of Koelnmesse, but also to the prosperity of NRW.

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.