Good news from Messe Frankfurt: after heavy losses due to the pandemic, a clear growth course could now be reported again. A total of 310 events under the umbrella of Messe Frankfurt were attended by around 52,000 exhibitors and 3.3 million visitors. In terms of sales, the group expects around 450 million euros, significantly more than in the previous year, when sales were 154 million euros. The exhibition center master plan is being successfully completed, with further investment focusing on the three pillars of new trade show concepts, digitization and sustainability.
"Face-to-face encounters, our core business, are needed and in demand. The abundance of events, an unchanged high level of customer satisfaction and a clearly perceptible internationality underpin the high-quality benefits for the industries," emphasized Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt, when presenting the preliminary key figures for the 2022 financial year.
Strong event results after new start and strategic realignment.
In fiscal year 2022, 310 events with nearly 52.000 exhibiting companies and 3.3 million visitors. Around 80 events worldwide had to be canceled or postponed due to the aftermath of Corona. Internationality at the Group's own events at its home base in Frankfurt reached around 73 percent on the exhibitor side, while the figure for trade buyers was close to 57 percent.
"For fiscal 2022, we are currently assuming consolidated Group sales of around 450 million euros," said Marzin. Consolidated net income after taxes will be around -30 million euros, due in part to the pandemic-related shortfall in the first quarter, the repayment of loans and the inclusion of the sale of a piece of land.
"We have learned a lot in the past two years and have dared to do some things. We have tried, selected and now focus on what is relevant while optimizing the quality of our events and services," Marzin affirmed the strategic realignment. After decisive decades of specialization, internationalization and increasing digitalization, during which Messe Frankfurt has expanded its role as one of the world's leading trade fair companies, the company is now facing the next major developments. Digital modernization is to be accelerated and the events are to become an exclusive, year-round B2B hub for the various industries.
Sustainability is another key part of Messe Frankfurt's corporate strategy. For the first time, the company has undergone an ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) rating and has already achieved the bronze medal. In a next step, Messe Frankfurt is now aiming to become the first company within the events industry to obtain a certificate from the environmental management system EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme), also known as EU ÖKO-Audit.
With the completion of Hall 5 and its opening at the beginning of February 2023, the master plan for the exhibition grounds is complete. This was laid out in a period from 1998 to 2022 and was contested with an investment volume of more than one billion euros. "Our halls are not only architectural landmarks in the middle of the big city, they are now also all at a technically comparable standard of equipment. This optimization is a clear commitment by Messe Frankfurt to its home venue," Behm summed up. The exhibition grounds can now be fully occupied in both the east and the west of the site, and can be ideally used for major events as well as for several events taking place in parallel. This means that the site can be used to its full capacity.
In view of the pleasing past months of events and the feedback from customers for the year ahead, Messe Frankfurt is optimistic about the future, always assuming that all events can take place as planned.
