Our success story

1974: NürnbergMesse GmbH is founded

  • Sales EUR 2.5 million
  • 15 employees
Nuremberg Exhibition Centre 1974

NürnbergMesse opens its doors at the new Exhibition Centre in the Langwasser district.

Because it’s competing with established exhibition companies, the young company is still an outsider. But its new Exhibition Centre impresses visitors with its innovative concepts, short distances, and smart infrastructure – and the unique selling proposition at this juncture is a dedicated Underground connection right outside the door. The facility's trademark is its unmistakable honeycomb-shaped halls.

Many events from those early years are still running today, including BrauBeviale (formerly "BRAU"), IWA OutdoorClassics, the Spielwarenmesse toy fair, and the Consumenta consumer fair (formerly "Die Einkaufstasche" "The Shopping Bag").

1989: The Wall comes down, with rapid results

  • Sales EUR 15.6 million
  • Over 50 employees
Fall of the Wall 1989

When the Iron Curtain fell, Nuremberg suddenly found itself again positioned in the centre of Europe.

NürnbergMesse acquires more significance as a channel linking Central and Eastern Europe. Its formula for success: working as a partner with both clients and employees, scouting out and professionally serving niche markets, and giving themes the time they need to grow organically.

Over the next 25 years, NürnbergMesse sales grow by a factor of 15 and its exhibition business soon ranks among the Top 10 in Europe.

1997: NürnbergMesse becomes a destination for conferences

  • Sales EUR 41.5 million
  • Over 100 employees
Event in the NCC Mitte of the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg

Trade fairs and conferences: A true formula for success

Our new Conference Centre opens in Nuremberg, the first of three. This also helped establish Nuremberg as an attractive event venue. Guests from other countries in particular enjoy Nuremberg as an exceptional location for meetings, thanks to the appeal of its historic Old Town, its extensive culinary variety, and its diverse cultural attractions.

2007: NürnbergMesse becomes an international firm

  • Sales EUR 125 million
  • Over 250 employees
Exhibition Centre Nuremberg Entrance West/Entrance Mitte

Moving toward internationalisation. NürnbergMesse founds its first international subsidiary in China, and others would soon follow.

These subsidiaries, along with more than 100 international agencies, give the company a worldwide presence. Today NürnbergMesse organises events at its locations in China, Brazil, India, Italy, Greece, and the USA. That offers many advantages for its customers, including direct entry into new markets and better selling opportunities – all coupled with NürnbergMesse's high standards of quality.

2014: New halls designed by Zaha Hadid

  • Sales EUR 229 million
  • Over 600 employees
Halle 3A im Messezentrum Nürnberg

Star architect Zaha Hadid of London designs the Exhibition Centre's new showpieces.

The breath-taking architecture and impressive energy-efficiency of Halls 3A and 3C (opened 2014 and 2018) thrill clients, exhibitors, and visiting industry professionals. These are the first exhibition halls anywhere in the world to receive the Platinum certificate from the DGNB, the German Sustainable Building Council.

2020: Major challenges, new opportunities

  • EUR 285 million (fiscal 2019)
  • Over 1,000 employees
mybeviale Podium Streaming

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 brings major challenges to trade fair and conference organisers worldwide.

NürnbergMesse treats the situation as an opportunity to complement its in-person events with new digital formats and platforms.

2024: THE SPIRIT TO GROW

  • 50 years of NürnbergMesse
  • We have researched our history for the anniversary

50 years of NürnbergMesse. That's 50 years of success story that we look back on, authentically accompanied by contemporary witnesses. 

Exhibitions were and are people's business. That's why we always focus on people. In addition to NürnbergMesse employees, exhibitors and visitors, they are also the people of Nuremberg. 

Anniversary website

Image credits:

  • Header: NürnbergMesse / Heiko Stahl