Not only electronica, which is relevant for the PLUS industries, is coming to the Munich exhibition grounds this fall. The new dual leadership Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel of Messe München are therefore looking to the autumn with confidence, expecting profitable growth in their core business and annual financial statements with positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). Looking further ahead, the goal is climate neutrality by 2030. "The start of the trade fair in 2022 can be described as a success," say the two Managing Directors. "Our customers have confirmed to us that trade fairs are indispensable for innovative topics, especially personal contact, which cannot be digitized."
The annual financial statements for 2021 were just as sobering as those for 2020 due to coronavirus. Global Group sales amounted to 158 million euros. The result was EUR -33 million. Despite these challenges, Messe München and its subsidiaries were able to hold a total of 125 events with over 1.1 million visitors in 2021 - online and in person. These included the IAA MOBILITY motor show, which was held in Munich for the first time.
In 2022, in addition to 79 guest events (International Crafts Fair IHM, The Smarter E Europe and the medical congress EuroMedLab, plus 43 own events in Germany and abroad. In August
over 100,000 visitors are expected to attend popular major concerts at the exhibition center. In the fall, five world-leading trade fairs are on the agenda, such as bauma (the world's largest trade fair in terms of exhibition space), drinktec (for the
beverage and liquid food industry) and Expo Real. electronica will follow in November. ISPO Munich will be held for the first time from November 28 to 30.
However, the upswing after two exceptional years is coming up against the war in Ukraine, rising energy costs and rising inflation. "In this environment, the safe realization of all events has top priority.
The focus is on organic growth." Everything depends on how the situation regarding supply chains, staff shortages, raw material and energy costs develops. The topic of sustainability: "Our sustainability strategy includes
a large number of projects in the areas of energy, water, mobility, biodiversity, social issues, governance and resources. Important goals include a zero-waste strategy,CO2 compensation for customers andlow-CO2 mobility options," say the Managing Directors.
Messe München has been expanding worldwide for years, particularly in China and India. However, the current global situation is also having an impact here. For example, bauma CTT Russia has been sold. And since the end of 2021, no trade fairs can take place in Shanghai due to China's strict coronavirus policy. However, the People's Republic remains in focus as a growth region. For the CEOs, this anchoring is indispensable: "This is the only way we can play to the strength of our trade fair clusters and consolidate our world-leading trade fairs."
