Koelnmesse is one of Germany’s largest exhibition grounds and the home of several world-leading fairs in food, furniture and gaming. If Cologne is on your calendar, matching your market to the right fair is the first decision. Here’s the line-up and how to plan a stand for it. Exact dates move each edition, so confirm the current dates with the organiser before you plan — the value below is in how to plan and build for the show, which doesn’t change.
The fairs by sector
- Gaming — gamescom is the world’s largest computer and video-games event, drawing a huge trade and public audience.
- Food & drink — Anuga is one of the leading global food and beverage fairs; ISM covers sweets and snacks.
- Furniture & interiors — imm cologne is a major international furnishing show; interzum serves furniture production and interior finishing.
- Dental, garden & office — IDS (dental), spoga+gafa (garden and outdoor living) and Orgatec (workspace and office) complete a broad calendar.
What exhibiting in Cologne involves
Koelnmesse enforces the same kind of technical guidelines as other German venues — approved designs, height limits, fire-class materials, rigging rules — and the larger fairs fill multiple halls. gamescom in particular combines trade and public days, which shapes how a stand is staffed and secured. As always, the design starts from your confirmed hall and the fair’s audience.
Planning a Cologne stand
We build at our Frankfurt facility and install in Cologne, handling approvals, freight and crew. For a brand doing Cologne plus other German fairs, one reusable stand across the season is the economical route. As a guide, a 9 m² modular runs €3,800–€5,500 and an 18 m² modular €5,500–€8,500. Those figures cover design, build, graphics, lighting, install and dismantle — not the floor-space rental you pay the organiser, the venue’s electrical and services, or specialty add-ons.
Related
- Creative stand ideas in Germany
- Standing out in a crowded German hall
- The Madeira Flower Festival: A Visitor’s Guide
- Passenger Terminal Expo: An Exhibitor’s Guide
- Hub: Europe exhibition list
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest trade fairs in Cologne?
gamescom (video games), Anuga (food and beverage), imm cologne (furniture), interzum (furniture production), IDS (dental), ISM (sweets) and Orgatec (office) are among the largest at Koelnmesse. Several run every two years.
Does gamescom being part-public change the stand?
Yes — a fair with both trade and public days shapes staffing, queue management and security on the stand. The design has to handle higher footfall and protect demo equipment in a way a trade-only fair doesn’t require.
