The role of trade fairs and exhibitions in the German economy

Abstract

The German trade fair industry is a world leader. On 25 exhibition grounds, around 2.8 million square meters of hall space is available for the realization of national and international trade fairs. Of the eight largest exhibition grounds in the world, there are four in Germany. Trade fairs fulfil a variety of functions and are considered as particularly efficient, innovative and thematically diversified in international competition. As one of the most important marketing instruments, they are a driving force for international trade in goods and services and contribute to an intensification in competition as well as to growth and employment. Due to the high internationality of the German trade fairs and the huge impact on the framework on tourism, the overall economic effects are particularly pronounced.