Messe Frankfurt Aiming for New Sales Record of €770 Million
Image By Courtesy of MESSE FRANKFURT GMBH
Frankfurt, 27 June 2024 – Messe Frankfurt, a leading global events organizer, is poised to break its sales records in 2024 with an ambitious target of €770 million.
Following a highly successful 2023, the company is accelerating its growth trajectory by focusing on core business expansion and strategic advancements in its worldwide portfolio.
This approach encapsulates key elements of sustainability and digitalization, reinforcing Messe Frankfurt’s commitment to reducing its ecological footprint.
Stepping Up the Pace of Growth
Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt, highlighted the company’s impressive performance during the Corporate Press Conference earlier today. “Even considering the current geopolitical climate, we expect sales this year to increase by more than 25 percent year-on-year to €770 million, with a substantial improvement in earnings as well. That would be the highest level of sales in Messe Frankfurt’s history,” Marzin stated. “The Group remains dedicated to achieving economic profitability while generating significant sustainable macroeconomic benefits for Frankfurt and its surrounding region.”
Strong Business Performance in 2023
Reflecting on 2023, Messe Frankfurt's robust financial results demonstrated its resilience and operational excellence.
Sales surged by one-third year-on-year to €609 million, with consolidated sales outside Germany reaching €275 million, representing 45 percent of Group sales.
In Germany, sales revenue stood at approximately €334 million.
The Group also reported an EBITDA of around €91 million, translating to an EBITDA margin of 14.9 percent for the financial year.
The annual net income turned positive with around €19 million, marking a stark contrast to the previous year's net loss of €-25.7 million.
The Group hosted 349 events, welcoming around 86,400 exhibiting companies and over 4.3 million visitors. Notably, 81 percent of the exhibitors and 54 percent of retail buyers were international, surpassing the average for German exhibition venues.
Profitable and Sustainable Growth Agenda for 2024
Looking ahead, Messe Frankfurt is set to maintain its focus on profitable and accelerated growth. The company's portfolio boasts numerous strong event brands, with several flagship events scheduled both in Frankfurt and globally. Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board, emphasized, “Our events are stronger than ever before. With quality, space, internationality, frequent exhibitor growth, and visitor satisfaction over 90 percent, our brands are making a strong comeback. SMEs and start-ups, which form the backbone of their respective industries, continue to see our flagship events as anchors for their sectors worldwide.”
In addition to its vibrant Group event schedule, the Locations business segment at Messe Frankfurt's Frankfurt base is thriving, with over 200 guest events booked for the year. The flexible infrastructure of the Frankfurt exhibition grounds enables the hosting of multiple events simultaneously, further boosting the Group’s growth prospects.
Strategic Orientation and Global Expansion
Wolfgang Marzin elaborated on the company’s strategic direction, stating, “Messe Frankfurt’s extensive global network and robust portfolio are USPs that enhance our core business’s flexibility in challenging markets. We are rolling out new products and entering new markets worldwide for our customers.” Over 20 new events are planned globally for 2024 and 2025 across more than 50 locations.
The Group’s global portfolio and close-knit sales network, consisting of 28 subsidiaries and over 50 sales partners, have been instrumental in its strategic orientation for 35 years. Detlef Braun added, “Our subsidiaries and sales network ensure plenty of synergies within our brand families, strengthening both our flagship events and the entire sector.”
Commitment to Sustainability and Digitalization
Messe Frankfurt continues to integrate sustainability and digitalization within its events and services, driving the transition towards a more sustainable future for the industry.
Marzin noted, “We are dedicated to reporting greenhouse gas emissions to accurately measure and reduce CO2 drivers at our Frankfurt base. Starting with financial year 2023, we are regularly calculating our carbon footprint as part of our climate strategy, aiming for climate neutrality by 2040 at the latest.”
