The economic downturn is now taking its toll on trade fairs too: certain key figures for 2026 are turning negative

The economic downturn in Germany is now also taking its toll on the German trade fair industry: after years of bucking the negative economic trend seen in many sectors in this country, growth in key indicators for the trade fair industry is now also slowing.

The forecast by the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) for the trade fair-heavy first quarter of 2026 shows that the figures for exhibitors (-2.3 per cent) and stand space let (-4.6 per cent) are slipping into negative territory compared with their previous editions. At the same time, visitor numbers continue to rise (+0.9 per cent). A good 200 of the total 319 trade fairs this year have taken place by the end of the month, with 120 trade fairs scheduled for the second half of the year in Germany’s trade fair calendar.

The economic situation in Germany’s trade fair sector will be the main topic of discussion at the annual summit of the German trade fair industry next Tuesday (9 June). More than 330 industry figures will gather in Berlin. The guest of honour will be Martina Englhardt-Kopf, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

The final figures for trade fairs in 2025 remain consistently positive: around 192,000 exhibiting companies were counted at the 304 trade fairs held last year, representing a slight increase of 0.7 per cent compared with previous events. Over 6.9 million square metres of stand space were rented, a slight increase of 0.4 per cent. More than 12.7 million visitors accounted for an increase of 1.9 per cent. This growth is particularly noticeable at trade fairs with significant international participation in the trade visitor segment (B2B). More than 99,000 exhibitors from abroad presented their products and services at trade fairs in Germany (+1.5 per cent), and almost 2.8 million international visitors (+2.9 per cent) were recorded. This once again clearly demonstrates Germany’s position as the world’s leading trade fair destination: in 2025, 66 per cent of all exhibitors and over 33 per cent of all visitors came from abroad.

Philip Harting, Chairman of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA): “It is a remarkable display of resilience in turbulent times: Germany, as a trade fair nation, remains the world leader in attracting international visitors. However, the economic downturn in Germany is leading to increasing caution and restraint. A genuine economic policy for domestic companies must be felt by the end of the year. The creeping reduction in foreign trade support, high location costs and excessive reporting requirements are avoidable, home-grown problems. Given the escalation of crises and conflicts worldwide, these are also having an impact on future investments such as trade fair participation. However, steadily rising visitor numbers show that the trade fair as a meeting place and hub is urgently needed to stay in the conversation.”

The top exhibiting nation in 2025 is China, with a share of more than 18 per cent, followed by Italy (around 11 per cent) and the Netherlands (5 per cent), Spain (4.5 per cent), the USA and Turkey (4.4 per cent each). China also ranks among the top five countries of origin for foreign visitors, with a 4.5 per cent share – though behind the Netherlands (7.3 per cent), Austria (7.1 per cent), Italy (6.8 per cent) and Switzerland (6.4 per cent).

Despite all the uncertainties, trade fair venues in Germany are investing around one billion euros in modernising their infrastructure by 2030, with new buildings even planned. This is according to a recent survey by AUMA. There were also 12 new trade fair events in 2025, primarily in the capital goods sector. A further eleven trade fair debuts are planned for the current year.