Messe Berlin – Where the Action Is

With only the trade fairs in London, Barcelona and Madrid ranked ahead of the Berlin exposition, by this measure the Berlin trade fair is the most important trade fair in Germany – ahead of prestige events such as Hanover, Frankfurt and Munich. The exposition is organized by Messe Berlin GmbH, which achieved a turnover of 354.6 million euros in 2022 despite the massive restrictions of the coronavirus year and which also organizes trade fairs and builds relationships abroad.

In the Shadow of the Funkturm

The majestic Berlin Funkturm is a famous landmark of Berlin that marked the dawn of the radio age at its opening in 1926. Like a lighthouse, it safely guides trade fair visitors to the exhibition grounds and gives them orientation in the jungle of the metropolis. The Berlin Funkturm is closely linked to the history of the Berlin trade fair, as the revival of the Berlin trade fair in 1923 was carried out by seven leading Berlin industrialists in close alliance with the then flourishing automotive and radio industries.

Albert Einstein, who lived in Berlin between 1914 and 1932, was thrilled by the new radio technology and an enthusiastic trade fair visitor. In 1930, on the occasion of the Berlin radio exhibition, he gave a speech in which he praised broadcasting technology as a means of reconciliation between nations. Sadly, with this idea too he was ahead of his time. Every summer, the exhibitors of the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) gather beneath the Funkturm to present their groundbreaking inventions to an interested public.

Messe Berlin Is Constantly Expanding

Political decision-makers are well aware of the great importance of Messe Berlin for urban development. Accordingly, the exposition is being continuously expanded. In 2012, a new event site was created with the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport. In 2014, the CityCube Berlin was built, a monumental structure and new landmark of the trade fair that, as a fitting venue for major events, has become an integral part of the exhibition grounds.

Also new and immediately taken to heart by trade fair visitors is the light-flooded Hub27 congress hall – a multifunctional large-scale marvel for major events with a roof terrace. Together with the already existing exhibition halls and buildings, a unique building complex has emerged in the shadow of the Berlin Funkturm, offering trade fair visitors impressive sights and a world of experiences that is worth exploring step by step.

The Exhibition Grounds

Across its territory of 190,000 m2, the exhibition grounds in Berlin feature an impressive ensemble of historic exhibition halls from the founding era of the Berlin trade fair as well as modern multifunctional buildings. The trade fair landscape is as diverse as the fair itself, because in Berlin it is a fine tradition that even unusual niche products get their turn with their own exhibitions. The individual exhibition halls are connected by an intelligent guidance system, which makes navigation easier for visitors. Visitors will find the three main entrances in the north, east and south of the exhibition grounds.

Alongside the modern large-scale buildings and the Berlin Funkturm, the Gläserne Galerie built by Richard Ermisch in 1935/36, the classicist main hall he created a year later and the Palais am Funkturm, which offers one of the most magnificent ballrooms in Europe as well as a terrace with a restaurant, are well worth seeing. In the Marshall-Haus from 1959, visitors will find a glazed exhibition hall with a congress hall, pavilion and utility rooms. An oasis of contemplation is the Sommergarten, built in 1931 on the occasion of the German Building Exhibition and complemented by a sculpture park in 1981.

Getting to the Trade Fair

Messe Berlin is around 8 kilometers from Berlin Central Station and 23 kilometers from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). Visitors have the option of booking a shuttle from the airport to the trade fair. The exhibition grounds are located in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district and the Westend neighborhood. They are closely connected to Berlin’s public transport network and can be reached via the S41, S42, S3, S7, S46 and the U2. In addition to the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, taxis, buses and night buses such as lines 109, 139, 143, M49 and N43 serve the stations at the exhibition grounds.

The Seven Leading Global Trade Fairs at Messe Berlin

There is always something going on at Messe Berlin, as the number of exhibitions per year is usually over 150. It is quite normal for two or more exhibitions to have set up camp on the same day, informing visitors about the latest innovations in their field. Leading global trade fairs are trade fairs that are the most important in the world in their field. The Berlin trade fair boasts no fewer than seven of them:

Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA)

Built in 1926, the Berlin Funkturm represented the spirit of optimism of the Golden Twenties and, at 146.7 meters, was one of the tallest structures on our planet at the time. It was a fixed point of the newly revived Berlin trade fair. Today, the IFA is the most important technology trade fair in the world. Here, the industry presents its latest achievements in consumer electronics, robotics and modern home technology. During IFA 2024 alone, 215,000 visitors were counted.

• The IFA takes place from September 4 to 8, 2026.

Internationale Tourismusbörse Berlin (ITB)

The ITB is the largest travel trade fair in the world. The focus is on countries, hotels, tour operators, transport companies and tourism businesses looking to learn about the latest travel trends. Here, travel fans can find inspiration from the most magnificent destinations.

• The ITB takes place from March 16 to 18, 2027.

Grüne Woche

The Grüne Woche is a tradition-rich event that has been held beneath the Funkturm since 1926. Its importance is underlined by the around 300,000 visitors who were able to admire 1,400 exhibitions from 60 countries in 2023. A place of longing is the Sommergarten, with the splendid flower hall as a special attraction. There is also plenty for children to discover, such as the popular adventure farm.

• The Grüne Woche takes place from January 15 to 24, 2027.

bautec

At bautec Berlin, visitors can learn about the latest innovations in construction technology and catch a glimpse of advanced construction machinery. An important trend in the construction industry is sustainable building materials and energy-efficient construction. Find out which revolutionary ideas the construction sector is presenting to this end.

• You can find the current dates on the organizer’s website.

Innovation and Leadership in Aerospace (ILA)

The ILA Berlin makes futurists’ hearts beat faster. Here, visitors can take a close-up look at the most fascinating aircraft and spacecraft – whether in real life or via VR – and get a feel for the technological progress in this field. The ILA takes place at the ExpoCenter Airport site, which the trade fair was expanded to include in 2012. It has existed since 1912. It dates from a time when the first pioneers of aviation were able to realize humanity’s dream of flying. The next milestone came in 1969 with the first journey to the moon in human history.

• The ILA Berlin takes place from May 17 to 21, 2028.

Fruit Logistica

Fruit Logistica offers visitors a fascinating look into the magical world of fruit. They can discover exotic culinary delights as well as modern cultivation methods that produce ever new fruit flavors. The cultivation of fruit, innovative growing methods and topics such as packaging and automation play just as much of a role as the entire value chain in the fruit industry.

• Fruit Logistica takes place from February 3 to 5, 2027.

InnoTrans

InnoTrans is an international trade fair for means of transport and gives visitors a look behind the scenes at how science, research and politics strive for the most efficient methods of getting around, even on difficult terrain. What means of transport exist around the world, and what role do advanced technologies such as AI and the IoT play? The trade fair provides the answers.

• InnoTrans takes place from September 22 to 25, 2026