5th decade: 1964 to 1973 – Expansion

In order to finance the modernization and expansion of its exhibition grounds, Koelnmesse was converted from an operating company to a holding company. Since then it has financed all of its construction and modernization measures itself. In the years until 1971, the exhibition space was expanded to approximately 160,000 m². The trend toward specialized trade fairs continued. ISM – The International Sweets and Biscuits Fair – was held for the first time in 1971.