- Industry represents billions in added value in Germany
- Prognos study on effects on jobs, taxes and investments published
- First comprehensive survey since 2018
Berlin, 9 March 2026 | 11.8 billion euros are spent by exhibiting companies on their trade fair appearances in an average trade fair year in Germany. Visitors to trade fairs in Germany spend an average of 3.9 billion euros during this period. In addition, local trade fair organisers regularly invest 140 million euros in infrastructure and energy efficiency.
This is shown by in-depth figures from the recently published study "The Trade Fair Effect: Added Value, Growth, Competitiveness" on the economic importance of the trade fair industry in Germany. It is the first major survey of its kind since 2018 and was conducted by the economic research institute Prognos on behalf of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA). The study is published in German only.
The study shows that the direct expenditure and investments of around 15.9 billion euros trigger further indirect economic effects totalling 10.1 billion euros. These are primarily generated by supplier relationships. A further 3.9 billion euros in added value is created along the supply chain, so-called induced effects.
Totally, the trade fair industry in Germany contributes a good 30 billion euros in economic effects to the country's prosperity every year. The current Prognos study also shows that at least 280,000 jobs in Germany are secured by the trade fair industry. In addition to the trade fair industry itself, jobs are primarily secured or created in the transport, hospitality and retail sectors.
– Philip Harting, Chair of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry AUMA: “The German trade fair industry is a key industry for international networking and a first-class export promoter. Germany is the number one trade fair centre in the world. Two thirds of all leading global trade fairs take place in Germany. Economic policy at federal and state level must strengthen Germany as a trade fair location: a modern and digital visa system for our foreign trade fair visitors, a top transport infrastructure and trade fair promotion programmes that do justice to a leading export nation are the basis for Germany's leading global position."
An average trade fair year also generates 5.4 billion euros in tax revenue for the state. The federal government in particular benefits with just under 2.4 billion euros alone, followed by the federal states with a good 2.3 billion euros. This is mainly due to income tax and sales tax. Local authorities in Germany receive around 700 million euros in tax revenue from the trade fair business.
The Prognos study is based on a large-scale survey of more than 33,700 visitors and over 17,700 exhibiting companies in Germany. It was conducted between September 2024 and October 2025 at 30 trade fair events at ten German trade fair venues. It is representative of an average trade fair cycle with more than 1,800 trade fair events over two years. The survey does not include the economic effects of contracts concluded at trade fairs.
© AUMA – Ausstellungs- und Messe-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.
AUMA is the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (Ausstellungs- und Messe-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.), the umbrella organisation of the German trade fair industry. Representing the interests of large and medium-sized exhibition companies, international organisers, and associations representing exhibitors, service companies, small trade fair organisers, and visitors, AUMA acts both internationally and nationally.
With 70 exhibition venues stretching from the North Sea to Lake Constance, Germany is unique in its ability to host trade fairs. With 3.25 million square metres of hall space, Germany alone accounts for one fifth of the European exhibition space and more than seven percent of the global exhibition space. Two thirds of all leading trade fairs in the global economy take place here. On average, 65 per cent of exhibitors and 35 per cent of trade visitors at all leading trade fairs come from abroad. At peak times, international, national and regional trade fairs in Germany attract over 235,000 exhibiting companies and 16 million visitors.
Trade fairs in Germany secure more than 280,000 jobs. Year after year, the trade fair industry in Germany contributes approximately 30 billion euros to the country's prosperity in terms of economic impact. The federal government, states and local governments alone collect 5.4 billion euros in taxes from trade fairs in Germany.