The Messe Düsseldorf Group closed the 2011 financial year on a successful note and thus laid the foundation for its continued strategic growth. Sales of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH totaled Euro 289 million and are 7% above budget (2010: Euro 272 million) and the group revenue increased to Euro 360 million (2010: Euro 335 million). A total of 29% of the group sales were generated outside of Germany. “Our growing international presence and the high number of events at the Düsseldorf site in 2011 have resulted in a renewed increase in sales and profits,” stated Werner M. Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. Subject to final approval of the balance sheet, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH is reporting a post-tax result of Euro 15.2 million for the financial year 2011 (2010: Euro 8 million).

“The Messe Düsseldorf Group and Messe Düsseldorf GmbH are well positioned strategically,” explained Werner M. Dornscheidt. “Our growth is sustainable. Depending on exhibition cycles and overall economic developments, we expect national and international growth of 4 to 5% annually.” Until 2015, Messe Düsseldorf will considerably expand its position as the world’s leading organizer of capital goods exhibitions. A central component of the corporate strategy is the subsidy-free and sustainable development of the group.

Increased international demand for Düsseldorf trade fairs
The share of international exhibitors and visitors at almost all of the 21 own and 17 guest events held in Düsseldorf (Germany) in 2011 was stabilized or expanded. 58% of the exhibitors (2010: 57%) and 32% of the visitors (2010: 30%) came from abroad. Figures for the own events of Messe Düsseldorf were higher – in particular for the capital goods exhibitions that are important for Düsseldorf. Here, 65% of the exhibitors and 50% of the visitors were from outside of Germany. ProWein had the highest share of foreign exhibitor with 78%, followed by MEDICA with 74% and interpack with 70%. On the visitor side, 60% of the attendees traveled from abroad to interpack and Euroshop and 54% to MEDICA.

In the financial year 2011, the international exhibition business of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH accounted for Euro 34 million of sales (2010: Euro 38 million). In 2011, Messe Düsseldorf organized 79 contract events and participations abroad. The most important markets were the CIS states and the Czech Republic, followed by China, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and India. The international subsidiaries within the Messe Düsseldorf Group developed positively in stronger markets.

Outlook for 2012: continued strong event business
For Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, 2012 is once again a year with a high number of events – 25 own and 15 guest events in Düsseldorf alone. They include six important capital goods trade fairs: drupa, MEDICA, wire/Tube, glasstec and Valve World Expo. 2012 will be especially characterized by drupa with more than 1,800 exhibitors from 50 countries and 340,000 visitors from around the world.

Messe Düsseldorf also plans to strengthen and consolidate the fashion location Düsseldorf as the center of the order business with the fashion trade show “THE GALLERY DÜSSELDORF”.

In addition, more than 80 own events and participations will be held abroad and the Messe Düsseldorf Group is expecting an increase in the international share of group sales. In addition to China, Russia and India, Indonesia is a particular focus of the Messe Düsseldorf Group’s international strategy. The new events INDOPLAS, INDOPACK, INDOPRINT in the growth market Indonesia are the logical expansion of this strategy.

Exhibition center: investment program 2020
Messe Düsseldorf will invest more than Euro 500 million in the modernization of its fairgounds by 2020. So far, four exhibition halls have been completely renovated and the modernization of Hall 12 will be completed in 2012/2013. The exhibition company will finance the investments from its own resources.

For information on any of the trade fairs in the worldwide program of the Messe Düsseldorf Group, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: [email protected]; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago