Messe Berlin has just presented its preliminary annual report for 2022. This shows a turnover of 354 million euros and “a small operating loss”, as the operators say. Due to the Corona requirements still in force at the time, the trade fair business could not start until April 2022, and the drop in turnover was partly offset by subsidies as part of the pandemic-related compensation for damages.

“The very positive business development is based on two stable pillars: The event business, which has returned strongly with the abolition of the corona-related protective regulations from April 2022, and Messe Berlin’s commitment as a crisis helper for the city,” says Dirk Hoffmann, Managing Director Messe Berlin. For example, Messe Berlin and its 800 employees have supported the city in the construction and operation of the state’s own vaccination centres, in the initial care of refugees from Ukraine and in the establishment and operation of the arrival centre in Tegel.

The current year has again started in the usual pre-Corona rhythm. This meant that the three leading trade fairs, the International Green Week, FRUIT LOGISTICA and ITB Berlin, could be held as usual. “These continued the success of before the pandemic and more than fulfilled our expectations,” said Eric Schweitzer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

In 2022 a total of 119 events with more than 20,000 exhibitors and almost 1.3 million visitors could take place, mind you in nine months.

In the future, Messe Berlin has set its sights on new, innovative formats, as well as a sustainable orientation of the events. In the summer, for example, the starting signal is to be given for the construction of Berlin’s largest solar plant, which is to be completed within two years. The cooling and heating supply on the exhibition grounds is also to become climate-friendly. According to Messe Berlin, this should reduce CO2 emissions by around 5,400 tonnes per year.

Furthermore, in March Messe Berlin signed the “Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge” of the sustainability initiative of various organisations and associations of the trade fair and event industry.