Global trade show organiser Messe Frankfurt is on track for an estimated €600 million ($A902m) in sales revenue for 2023 and says the trade event business is “firing on all cylinders again.”
“The Group is able to operate at full force largely thanks to the decision by top management not to lay off any staff during the three-year crisis period,” said Messe Frankfurt, organiser of hundreds of trade shows a year, including printed textiles flagship event Heimtextil (pictured).
“Messe Frankfurt has been able to continue its growth course more quickly than anticipated and now expects a further increase in sales for the current financial year. Around 340 events are being held under the Messe Frankfurt umbrella in 2023. After a very dynamic first six months, projections for the second half of the year are also good."
"Firing on all cylinders": Wolfgang Marzin, CEO Messe Frankfurt Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, said: “Having the event business firing on all cylinders again with a high international component and high satisfaction levels demonstrates the commitment throughout all sectors.
“Financial year 2023 is well above our expectations. If everything continues in this positive vein, we expect another positive operating earnings performance in 2023. And we will be on track for an estimated €600 million ($A902m) in sales, even though the rotation of events means that a smaller number of Messe Frankfurt events are being held at our Frankfurt base this year. This means that Messe Frankfurt is well and truly back in the premier league of international trade fair companies.”
Stephanie Wüst, Head of the City of Frankfurt’s Department of Economy, Legal Affairs and Reform and Chairperson of Messe Frankfurt’s Supervisory Board added: “The trade fair business has recovered significantly and its performance since mid-2022 has been very encouraging again, even though the record levels of pre-COVID years are not yet within reach.”
According to the final figures for financial year 2022, sales revenue almost tripled year-on-year to €454.2 million (2021: €153.8 million) even though the event year was still subject to pandemic restrictions. Of this, some €314 million was generated in Germany, accounting for 69 percent of sales revenue for the Group. EBITDA was €40.6 million (2021: €-74.9 million). The consolidated net loss has been reduced and is now at €-25.7 million (2021: €-139.2 million). The figures in financial year 2022 were substantially better than in the year that preceded it. A total of 310 events took place in the past financial year, with more than 46,500 exhibiting companies and over 2.4 million visitors.
“Messe Frankfurt plans to step up its activities outside Germany with around 20 events scheduled to make their debut between 2023 and 2025,” it said. “At more than 50 locations around the world, the group’s global portfolio has played an important role in its strategic company orientation for more than three decades, together with its global sales network consisting of 28 subsidiaries and over 50 sales partners.”
...and not forgetting the next big event in Australia:
