Strong event year 2024

The trade fair and event business is developing particularly successfully: the group generated over EUR 325 million in revenue from trade fairs, congresses and events, matching the previous record year of 2018. The group recorded a significant increase in profit from the event business, which was over 50 per cent higher in 2024 than in 2018.

Messe Berlin recorded 121 events in Germany and abroad, 31,000 exhibitors and 1.9 million visitors for 2024. InnoTrans, the world's leading trade fair for transport technology and mobility, set a new record - as the largest trade fair Berlin has ever had: from the exhibition halls to the Summer Garden and the track area, the site was fully booked with around 3,000 exhibitors. The leading trade fairs ITB Berlin, ILA, FRUIT Logistica, Green Week and the numerous guest events at the Berlin Exhibition Centre also contributed to the positive result.

‘We have a very successful year behind us, fuelled by internationally successful leading trade fairs, new event formats and a highly committed team,’ says Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. "Our results show that Messe Berlin has utilised the potential of the strong event year 2024. Despite tough international competition, the group of companies is extremely successful economically - and we want to use this success to actively shape the future of our trade fair and congress location Berlin."

Profits secure future viability

Messe Berlin uses the funds generated for targeted investments to further expand and sustainably strengthen Berlin as a business location in international competition.
‘We invest in formats that have an impact far beyond Berlin - and at the same time generate added value in the city,’ says Dirk Hoffmann, Managing Director of Messe Berlin.

Messe Berlin is focussing on three key areas in its further development:

1. Portfolio expansion and internationalisation

Messe Berlin is growing with new formats and an increased global presence: the international portfolio is being expanded with events such as the Smart Health Asia congress trade fair (1 and 2 July 2026 in Singapore) and the ITB Americas tourism trade fair (10 to 12 November 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico). Two further new events will be announced in June.

The Berlin Exhibition Centre will remain a sought-after location for international events in 2025. Last week, GITEX Europe celebrated its premiere at the Berlin Exhibition Centre. In autumn, the ESMO Congress will be a guest at the grounds under the radio tower, bringing around 25,000 to 30,000 international cancer research experts to the capital.

Modernisation of the exhibition grounds

The Berlin trade fair venue under the radio tower is being modernised step by step. With targeted investments in infrastructure and event space, Messe Berlin is ensuring that it can remain a sought-after host for leading global events in the future - and at the same time a reliable partner for organisers of congresses, conferences and major events at the highest level.

Sustainable transformation

Sustainability is an integral part of the corporate strategy: Messe Berlin aims to operate even more sustainably by 2040. The ‘energy transition under the radio tower’ will reach its first milestones as early as 2025 - with the commissioning of the largest photovoltaic roof system in Berlin and the renewal of the energy-efficient heating and cooling technology on the exhibition grounds.

Arrival centre in Tegel as a temporary sales component

Since 2022, Messe Berlin has been commissioned by the state of Berlin to provide planning, construction and installation services as well as facility, security and other services at the arrival centre for refugees at the former Tegel Airport. Messe Berlin generated a turnover of EUR 155 million from these activities in 2024. For the coming years, the company anticipates a significant decline in turnover for support services at the Tegel site due to the decreasing number of refugees in the region and a change in the concept for the arrival centre by the state of Berlin.

Growth with responsibility

With its results, Messe Berlin stands for solid growth and responsible action - an important signal in times of tight public budgets. ‘We are aware of our role in this city,’ says Dirk Hoffmann. ‘As a company, we act economically and always in the interests of Berlin - as an employer, driver of innovation and international representative as well as a magnet for international business people and trade visitors to our strong business location.’

About Messe Berlin

Berlin has been a trade fair venue for over 200 years, and for many decades one of the most important worldwide. As the trade fair company owned by the capital, every year Messe Berlin conceives, markets and organises hundreds of live events. It aims to be an outstanding host for visitors to every event, to give individuals an optimum boost for their business and ensure fair conditions for everyone. This approach is reflected in the company’s slogan ‘Messe Berlin – Hosting the World’.