Koelnmesse, which hosts specialist shows such as ISM, ProSweets and Anuga FoodTec, had a record-breaking year in 2017. At over EUR 350 m, the trade fair company’s turnover surpassed that of the previous record year of 2015 by around 10 % and once again far exceeded expectations.

“We achieved our ambitious growth targets as promised and even added a bit on top,” says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse, for whom this latest success is symbolic of the “turnaround and sustained growth that the company has achieved in recent years as a result of hard work.” The profit amounts to more than EUR 20 m. Over the past year, the number of employees worldwide rose by almost 5 % to 821. Of these, around 650 work in Cologne.

The good result is primarily due to the company’s core business: the organization of events in Cologne and in key foreign markets. In 2017, the turnover of the trade fairs in Cologne increased by around 13 % on average compared to the respective preceding events. Eight events from all the areas of expertise in Cologne grew at a double-digit rate. Some of the foreign trade fairs, in Brazil, India and Thailand for example, also saw significant increases in the number of exhibitors and visitors. The turnover from services for trade fair participants continued to rise as well.