Trade fair floor in Stuttgart

Arrival, Stay, and Hospitality

The Stuttgart Trade Fair is exceptionally well-connected due to its convenient location directly at Stuttgart Airport and excellent access to public transportation and highways A8 and B27. Here are some practical tips:

•By Car: Visitors can use parking facilities in close proximity to the trade fair. It’s recommended to arrive early during peak times, such as major fairs, to avoid traffic congestion.

•By S-Bahn: The S-Bahn lines S2 and S3 offer a direct connection to Stuttgart’s city center, facilitating access to additional accommodations and attractions.

The Hetzel Hotel in Stuttgart is a pleasant option with good connections to the trade fair. Take advantage of numerous offers and services for business travelers!

The beginnings and history

The roots of the Stuttgart Trade Fair date back to the 19th century, when the first trade and industrial exhibitions were held in Stuttgart. However, the true foundation of today’s trade fair was laid in 1940 with the establishment of “Stuttgarter Ausstellungsgesellschaft mbH.” The idea behind it was to create a central platform for economic exchange in the Stuttgart region.

In its early years, many events took place only at the local and regional levels, but with the increasing industrialization of Stuttgart, the importance of the trade fair grew. Although operations were paused during World War II, the trade fair experienced a revival in the 1950s, becoming a key hub for both regional and international business.

A major milestone was the relocation of the Stuttgart Trade Fair to the Killesberg site in 1969. For nearly four decades, Killesberg served as the heart of trade fair activities. However, as space became insufficient to meet growing demands, plans for a new, larger exhibition center were developed.

The major move finally took place in 2007. The Stuttgart Trade Fair relocated to Leinfelden-Echterdingen, directly next to Stuttgart Airport. With its modern infrastructure and an exhibition space of nearly 120,000 square meters, it remains one of the largest and most advanced trade fair venues in Europe to this day.

Various events and trade fairs

A key feature of the Stuttgart Trade Fair is its versatility. It provides a platform for a wide range of industries, hosting international trade fairs, congresses, and consumer events. Let’s take a look at some of the most renowned trade fairs:

LogiMAT – This trade fair for intralogistics and process management is the largest of its kind in Europe, offering companies from the logistics industry the opportunity to exchange insights on the latest technologies and trends.

R+T – As the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors, and sun protection systems, R+T attracts numerous international manufacturers and industry professionals.

AMB – The international exhibition for metalworking is one of the most important events for the machine tool industry, drawing exhibitors and visitors from around the world to Stuttgart.

In addition to these trade fairs, Stuttgart hosts numerous congresses that focus on various industries and professional fields:

MEDIZIN – A specialist congress for medicine and healthcare professionals, dedicated to the latest developments in medicine, with a particular focus on telemedicine and digitalization.

IT & Business – This event showcases digital business solutions and facilitates intensive discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing.

Beyond these industry-specific events, the Stuttgart Trade Fair also offers consumer exhibitions that appeal to a broader audience. These include sports and cultural events as well as the popular CMT – The Holiday Exhibition, which is Europe’s largest public trade fair for tourism and leisure.

Modern infrastructure and services

Since moving to its new exhibition grounds in 2007, Messe Stuttgart has featured state-of-the-art exhibition halls and infrastructure. The architecture of the halls is not only impressive but also designed to be functional and flexible, allowing for customized adaptations to meet the specific needs of each event. The exhibition grounds offer:

• 120,000 square meters of exhibition space, spread across several large halls

•ICS – International Congress Center Stuttgart, with capacity for up to 10,000 participants

•Excellent transport connections to Stuttgart Airport, the main train station, and major highways A8 and B27

A key focus is on providing comprehensive services for exhibitors and visitors. Messe Stuttgart offers a digital trade fair service system, enabling exhibitors to book all necessary services online — from booth rental and technical equipment to catering services.

Sustainability and promoting innovation

A key aspect of Messe Stuttgart’s future strategy is sustainability. The trade fair focuses on eco-friendly measures and energy-efficient technologies, including:

•Green Energy Initiative: Solar energy and other renewable resources are used to power the exhibition halls.

•Zero Waste Concepts: Various programs aim to minimize waste, encouraging exhibitors to use sustainable materials for booth construction.

In addition, the trade fair invests in innovative technologies to ensure future-oriented operations and events. Hybrid events, which allow both in-person and online participants to engage simultaneously, are just one example of how Messe Stuttgart is driving digitalization forward.

The Stuttgart Trade Fair as an international hub

Over the years, Messe Stuttgart has developed into a major international hub for the exchange of ideas, innovations, and technologies. International trade fairs such as VISION – the world’s leading trade fair for machine vision – and GlobalConnect, which focuses on exports and international markets, are just two examples of the trade fair’s global influence.

The international network is further strengthened by the proximity of the exhibition grounds to Stuttgart Airport, providing easy access for international visitors.

Future prospects and ongoing developments

Messe Stuttgart has continuously reinvented itself throughout its long history, consistently adapting to current demands. With a clear focus on innovation, digitalization, and sustainability, Messe Stuttgart remains a leading exhibition venue, playing a significant role not only for the region but also on a global scale.

From its beginnings in the 19th century to becoming one of the largest and most modern exhibition centers in Europe, Messe Stuttgart has steadily evolved. Today, it offers a versatile platform for trade fairs, congresses, and consumer events, maintaining its position as a central hub for innovation, exchange, and business development.

For the latest information and event dates, visit the official Messe Stuttgart website: https://www.messe-stuttgart.de