History

Establishment of the Deutsche Messe- und Ausstellungs-AG exhibition company

Deutsche Messe AG was founded on 16 August 1947 as Deutsche Messe- und Ausstellungs- AG (German Trade Fair and Exhibition Company) with a registered share capital of 1.2 million reichsmarks. This was an initiative of the British occupying forces in consultation with the commander-in-chief of the American zone.

 

The objective was to get Germany back on its feet economically by revving up its export business. After a 21-day run resulted in the signing of 1,934 export deals worth $31.6 million, the "Hannover Export Fair" was deemed a success.

 

 

 

 

The first foreign exhibitors take part in the "German Industrial Fair"

At first, almost everyone was skeptical about Hannover's chances of overtaking Leipzig - the former "exhibition capital" of the defunct German Reich. But in the years that fol-lowed, HANNOVER MESSE became a symbol of Germany's economic miracle. Back in 1948, the first telephone connection was established between the trade fair company and New York. In 1950, the first exhibitors from abroad took part in the renamed "Deutsche Industrie-Messe" ("German Industrial Fair") and, in 1961, the term "HANNOVER MESSE" was officially adopted. It soon became a renowned, world-class event for cross-communication between technology and industry.

 

 

Launching of the subsidiary "HANNOVER MESSE international" (HMI)

Initially set up in 1981 as a business division of the parent company, HANNOVER MESSES INTERNATIONAL (HFI) was incorporated in 1985 as an independent, limited liability company. It designs and runs its own international industrial and trade fairs abroad. As a hands-on company, it is responsible for organizing industrial group pavilions, information counters and special shows at overseas trade fairs and exhibitions.

 

 

 

Separation of CeBIT and HANNOVER MESSE

1986 Since cleaving off CeBIT from HANNOVER MESSE in 1986, both shows have become the trendsetters for industry and the flagship tradeshows among the many different trade fairs and exhibitions staged by DMAG in the state capital. Other events which regularly take place at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds are also recognized as world leaders in their respective fields.

 

 

 

Company renamed "Deutsche Messe AG"

Since 1987, the company has traded under the name of Deutsche Messe AG.

 

 

 

Expo 2000

For Deutsche Messe AG, the period from 1990 to 2000 was dominated by some major changes to the region's infrastructure, with new investment in the exhibition complex alone totaling some DM 1.6 billion. These improvements were all designed to prepare for hosting the world exhibition, EXPO 2000, which was supremely well run at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds. Since the end of EXPO 2000 on 31 October 2000, Deutsche Messe AG is the owner of the world's most modern and extensive exhibition facility. With its stunning architecture, the Hannover tradeshow complex offers international exhibitors and attendees an ideal forum for indepth and effective business networking.

 

 

Highest volume of trade fair business in company history

With a total of 11 international trade shows staged at the its home base in Hannover, Germany, 2005 will go down as the biggest exhibition year in company history. Apart from a strongly customer-oriented approach, Deutsche Messe AG pursues a concerted policy of expanding and reshaping its facilities and events to reflect the state of international markets, which has resulted in the company being ranked among the world's top exhibition organizers. Along with fortifying and expanding its network of trade shows in Hannover, Deutsche Messe AG is also dedicated to increasing its share of business abroad. Through its foreign subsidiaries, Deutsche Messe AG helps export-oriented enterprises realize additional growth potential. In all its activities, Deutsche Messe AG oper-ates on a solid and independent basis, receiving no public funding.