Despite having fewer events than usual in 2013 due to the cycles of trade fairs, Messe Düsseldorf Group, a large organizer of international trade fairs, reached EUR 315 million in sales. In 2012, it reached EUR 381 million.
The sales of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH were approximately 3 percent above target, totaling EUR 250 million (2012: Euro 309 million), of which EUR 44 million was generated outside of Germany. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH expects an after-tax profit of about EUR 6.8 million (2012: Euro 28.2 million). Almost the entire operating cash flow was used for the improvement of halls at the Düsseldorf exhibition center in 2013. Under the current plans, all halls and customer space will be renovated by 2030, with an investment of EUR 600 million.
This net income will continue to provide a good basis for new investments and for expanding the range of events worldwide.
“We continued our success story in 2013. We believe in sustainable growth, without subsidies and through our own strength,” said Werner M. Dornscheidt, president and CEO, Messe Düsseldorf. “With the large number of events in 2014, our sales will reach the Euro 400 million mark,” added Dornscheidt.
Crucial factors are four world trade fairs taking place in Düsseldorf: interpack, wire & Tube, EuroShop and MEDICA.
2013 financial year: 27 events at the Düsseldorf exhibition center – exhibitor internationality continues to be high at 68 percent.
Most of the revenue last year was generated by No. 1 trade fairs K, MEDICA, ProWein, CARAVAN SALON and boot. The two-day International Thermprocess Summit with 147 delegates from 16 countries was held for the first time in 2013. The proportion of international exhibitors at Messe Düsseldorf’s own events in Düsseldorf continued to be significant, averaging 68 percent.
The high level of internationalism was particularly noticeable at ProWein (82 percent) and MEDICA (77 percent). At 31 percent, the proportion of international visitors remained constant, with the highest participation at the plastics trade fair K (59 percent) and the medical trade fair MEDICA (56 percent).
“It is worth noting that our leading global trade fairs are attracting more and more decision-makers. At K 2013, they accounted for over 90 percent,” said Dornscheidt.
Overall, 27 events were held at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds – 16 own events and 11 guest events. In 2014, this figure is expected to increase to 38 events.
87 own and joint events outside of Germany
The 2013 results of Messe Düsseldorf’s foreign subsidiaries were slightly higher than expected. Overall, 87 own and joint events were organized by the Messe Düsseldorf Group outside of Germany. In 2014, the Group plans to conduct 98 own and joint events in countries other than Germany.
Expanding its internationally leading position in capital goods trade fairs
In 2013, Messe Düsseldorf continued to expand its international position in capital goods trade fairs. Several trade fairs were added to the portfolio: indometal in Jakarta; wire South America in São Paolo; ProWine China in Shanghai; and MEDIZ SPB in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as the Energy Storage North America Conference and Expo in San Jose; and the Energy Storage India Conference and Exhibition in Mumbai. Another highly successful event was the Food Processing & Packaging Exposyum in Nairobi, Kenya.
Heading for international growth in 2014 and 2015
An application for the operation of a new exhibition center in New Delhi, India, is currently being conducted by the German Exhibition Corp. Three members of the Corporation – Messe Düsseldorf, Messe München (Munich) and Messe Hannover – are already jointly operating the Shanghai
New International Expo Center (SNIEC) together with a Chinese partner could receive the contract in India. Operating in the Turkish growth market, Messe Düsseldorf will introduce TOS+H EXPO, a new trade fair for occupational health and safety. It’s an offshoot of its A+A trade fair in Düsseldorf. In 2014, Messe Düsseldorf will organize the new conference and expo MEDICAL WORLD AMERICAS in Houston, Texas, (April 28-30) as part of its “World of MEDICA” program. In 2015, another medical event will be added in Africa as well as the METAL MIDDLE EAST trade fair.
The program in Düsseldorf in 2014 will be expanded to include the following new events: Mediterranean Food, the first Mediterranean food trade fair (Sept. 21-23) and tag-it, a new trade fair format replacing GLOBAL SHOES. It’s to be held concurrently with GDS – the Global Destination for Shoes & Accessories – from July 29 to Aug. 1.
