Confex: a mix of conference and exhibition centre

Koelnmesse concluded its second year of the pandemic with a "respectable result," according to the Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, Cologne's Mayor Henriette Reker, at the annual press conference. 35 of the 68 events planned worldwide could take place in 2021 - many with a good level of success, but in some cases with significantly reduced participation. Last year's turnover reached more than 130 million euro, and the loss was limited to around 80 million euro.

At Koelnmesse we are closely following current developments in Ukraine, as the people of all nations around the world. The Russian attack stands in absolute opposition to our own values. As a trade fair organiser, we stand wholeheartedly for peaceful coexistence and free trade around the world.

The war has caused tremendous uncertainty and commotion regarding unrestricted service provision, monetary transactions and passenger transport between Russia, Belarus and Europe or Germany in particular. We are therefore initially suspending the participation of Russian and Belarusian exhibitors on our physical and digital platforms until further notice. However, we remain in contact with our partners in Russia, some of whom have been with us for many years and who unfortunately cannot attend our trade fairs now in Cologne. We are certain they have also been surprised by the decision to engage in war.

At Koelnmesse, we are particularly happy that everyone in our sales team in Kiev is doing well under the circumstances.

Koelnmesse celebrates topping out ceremony of the new Confex event and congress location

On 21 November 2022, the Deputy Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia Mona Neubaur, Cologne’s mayor Henriette Reker, Koelnmesse president and CEO Gerald Böse joined politicians, members of the business community, and many construction project participants to celebrate the "topping out" of the new Confex. This future location for trade fairs, congresses and events strengthens Koelnmesse as both an international meeting place for industry and commerce as well as an economic powerhouse for the metropolis and wider region.

Global Congress of the Exhibition Industry to be held 2024 in Koelnmesse’s new Confex

From 20. to 23.11.2024, we will welcome the global event industry to our new Confex for the annual congress of our trade fair world association. Participants will be able to experience first-hand the standards set by our new congress and event location. CEO Gerald Böse was live on site for the awarding (In the photo together with UFI President Monica Lee-Müller). We will also be celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2024 and want to use this occasion to position ourselves as an outstanding organizer of trade shows and events in the global trade show community.

Confex – the new multi-talent

Flexibility, attractiveness and eventization are the emerging requirements for innovative event formats. The fusion of conference and exhibition, the staging of topics through a more compelling variety of experiences, the digital presentation of hybrid trade fairs through the use of sophisticated media technology and modern IT infrastructure: That is what Confex is all about!

A career at Koelnmesse

Help us impress! As an employer, Koelnmesse offers you a wide range of opportunities.

Koelncongress: C the Future

Under the motto "One face to the customer", Koelncongress as an innovative full-service division will in future contribute its strengths under a new name. The wholly owned subsidiary Koelncongress GmbH presents itself as an organization with creative, strong concepts and solutions. It stands for innovative and successful future trade fairs, conferences and events.

Trade fair halls and exhibition center

Koelnmesse's exhibition halls are centrally located in Cologne's city centre, right at the heart of Europe's largest economic region.