Leipzig Trade Fair heading for record sales

The Leipziger Messe is heading for the highest turnover in the company's history in 2024. "We will break the 100 million mark for the first time," said Co-Managing Director Martin Buhl-Wagner. This means that the trade fair has not only reached the pre-corona level again, but will even slightly exceed it. The previous sales record in 2019 was 99.6 million euros. Last year, the trade fair generated 80.1 million euros.

Co-Managing Director Markus Geisenberger explained that the growth was not due to individual events, but to increases in various areas. In the first half of the year, public events such as the Leipzig Book Fair and trade fairs such as OTWorld and PaintExpo were successful. Added to this was the European Football Championship, for which Leipzig was an important location with the International Broadcast Center and as the home of the video referee. The congress business also developed positively.

Top 30 worldwide as a goal

The Leipziger Messe nevertheless remains dependent on subsidies from its shareholders - the Free State of Saxony and the City of Leipzig. They make compensation payments for losses and provide additional funds for investments. In 2023, the bottom line was a consolidated net loss of EUR 5.9 million.

According to Co-Managing Director Geisenberger, the trade fair aims to generate a sustainable annual turnover of EUR 100 million or more in future. To this end, new business is to be strengthened by acquiring trade fairs. The management also sees opportunities for growth abroad. Leipziger Messe's business is therefore to be further internationalized. The aim is to establish itself as one of the top 30 trade fair venues worldwide by 2030. In terms of turnover, Leipziger Messe currently ranks around 40th, said Geisenberger.