Franziska Giffey, Berlin Senator for Economic Affairs, said: “Messe Berlin is a key driver of growth for Berlin’s economy. It attracts people to our city, and its events generate significant economic returns for Berlin. With revenue of €376 million and value creation that extends far beyond the exhibition grounds, Messe Berlin secures jobs and strengthens tourism, retail, and hospitality in our capital. The planned investments of €250 million therefore represent a strong commitment to Berlin as a business location and to sustainable growth.”

“The economic strength of Messe Berlin enables us to lay the foundations for tomorrow’s growth today,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. “Through our 2030+ investment program, we are strengthening our location, expanding our international portfolio, and creating new opportunities for the future of the exhibition and events industry in Berlin.”

Messe Berlin is one of the most important economic drivers for the German capital. According to a study by Investitionsbank Berlin, every euro generated through Messe Berlin’s exhibition and event business creates approximately six euros in additional purchasing power for the city. The hospitality sector, retail businesses, restaurants, and transportation providers benefit particularly from this impact.

Successful Financial Year 2025

As many of Messe Berlin’s flagship events take place on a biennial basis, odd-numbered years are traditionally compared with the previous odd-numbered year. Compared with the reference year 2023, the Group increased its revenue from €369.2 million to €376 million.

Overall, the Group organized 124 trade fairs, congresses, events, and exhibitions. Total attendance reached approximately 1.9 million visitors, while around 28,800 companies participated as exhibitors.

The successful business performance was driven both by the strong events business and by services commissioned by the State of Berlin to provide accommodation and support for refugees at the former Tegel Airport site. These activities generated revenue of €99.6 million for Messe Berlin in 2025. The company’s engagement at the Tegel site was concluded at the end of 2025.

€250 Million for the Future of Berlin as a Trade Fair and Congress Destination

Through its Growth and Investment Program 2030+, Messe Berlin will invest approximately €250 million in the future of the Berlin venue over the coming years. The largest single project is the construction of the multifunctional congress hall dock9 on the Berlin exhibition grounds, with an investment volume of around €100 million.

Following the presentation of the plans last year, the tender process has now been successfully completed. In the competitive bidding process, the concept developed by the renowned architectural firm Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) together with the internationally active construction company Züblin emerged as the clear winner.

Implementation of the project will begin after InnoTrans 2026. The new venue will create additional capacity for international congresses and events with up to 5,000 participants.

“International congresses bring highly qualified guests from around the world to Berlin and generate substantial economic benefits for the city,” said Dirk Hoffmann, Managing Director of Messe Berlin. “With the new congress hall, we are making a targeted investment in Berlin’s future competitiveness as Europe’s leading trade fair and congress destination. At the same time, we are creating the foundation for the continued growth of our company.”

In addition to the congress center, Messe Berlin is investing in the modernization of its infrastructure, digital services, and the further development of its event portfolio.

Messe Berlin Focuses on Sustainable Growth

The investments in Berlin go hand in hand with the Group’s international growth strategy. In July 2026, the trade fair Smart Health Asia will celebrate its premiere in Singapore. In addition, the world’s leading travel trade show, ITB, will expand to the Americas for the first time with ITB Americas, which will take place in Mexico in November.

Further international growth projects will follow in 2027 with CMS Asia and InnoTrans Asia. Both trade fairs will be organized by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, the Group’s Singapore-based subsidiary.

Berlin itself is also benefiting from new proprietary events launched by Messe Berlin. In June 2026, the city welcomed bio:cap, a new European platform for biotechnology and healthcare innovation. Founding partners include Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Berlin Institute of Health, and the Hasso Plattner Institute.

In addition, Messe Berlin and Bitkom will launch Smart Health Europe in 2027 as a new innovation platform for European healthcare systems. Both events contribute to the healthcare industry innovation cluster, a key pillar of the capital region’s innovation strategy, innoBB.

With approximately 1,000 employees at the end of 2025, a strong international portfolio, and substantial future investments, Messe Berlin is well positioned to continue its modernization and growth trajectory.

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’.