Before NovaFood at the Lucerne Exhibition Center: Fabienne Meyerhans successfully enters a new chapter
Messe Luzern AG looks back on a very successful 2025/2026 financial year with a turnover of 15.9 million Swiss francs. Next week's NovaFood trade fair comes at just the right time. It offers exciting surprises ranging from innovative start-up tastings to autonomous robots.
By Urs Seiler || October 20, 2026
Messe Luzern's revenue and EBIT are significantly higher than the previous year's figures. The company is also launching two promising industry events, NovaFood and IMS.
“The stable attendance figures for our events, as well as the event cycle, have contributed to this good result,” says Fabienne Meyerhans (left), who has been CEO of Messe Luzern AG since July 1st of this year.
At its Annual General Meeting on October 16, 2026, Messe Luzern AG presented a positive financial report. A total of 112 events at Messe Luzern attracted over 276,000 visitors. Revenue of approximately CHF 15.9 million significantly exceeded the previous year's figure. EBIT also showed an increase, reaching approximately CHF 870,000.
Change in the Board of Directors
At the general meeting, Markus Lauber (right) was elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Messe Luzern AG. He succeeds Urs Hunkeler (left), who will remain on the board. Urs Hunkeler and Markus Lauber have both retired from operational management after 35 years of service.
NovaFood and IMS are two new industry meeting points.
Messe Luzern AG is further developing its event portfolio in the current fiscal year: NovaFood will take place for the first time on October 26 and 27, 2026. This new national meeting place for food production brings together suppliers of production technology, equipment, raw materials, and semi-finished products with food producers. Messe Luzern is also launching IMS – Integrated Media Systems, a new Swiss platform for professional system integration.
On November 3, 2026, the focus of the "Food Focus" program will be on value creation in the...
Agriculture and the food industry are the focus. Together with SMEs, retailers, brand manufacturers, young farmers and researchers, the conference at the Lucerne Exhibition Centre demonstrates how added value can be created and increased through processing, differentiation, strong brands and cooperation along the value chain.
NovaFood 2026: modern automation, artificial intelligence and high-precision sensor technology
Novafood founder and managing director of Zurich-based RUUF AG Christian Rudin
with trade fair coordinator Franziska Lehnen.
NovaFood 2026 showcases how modern automation, artificial intelligence, and high-precision sensors will make tomorrow's food production more efficient and smarter. Featuring exciting technological innovations such as:
CHROMOS Industrial : CHROMOS Industrial presents pioneering solutions in the fields of robotics, machine vision and autonomous transport systems for the smart factory.
ifm electronic ag : As a specialist in automation technology, ifm electronic shows how sensors and IoT solutions significantly increase the transparency and availability of your systems.
Automation reimagined: Flexible, economical and future-proof with cobots and AMRs : In this presentation by Alexander Link, learn how the combined use of cobots and AMRs closes the gap between manual work and rigid systems.
Efficient intralogistics: MiR AMRs for food & consumer goods : This article provides a detailed insight into the autonomous MiR robot fleet that optimizes material flows in dynamic production environments.
Smart digital NIR solutions for increasing productivity in food production : Dr. Egbert Stärk speaks about NIR online measurements for automating analysis steps directly in the production process.
Topic: AI in process automation in the food industry
Artificial intelligence is the key to the leap to Industry 5.0, optimizing everything from data analysis to autonomous logistics. At NovaFood 2026, you will find both theoretical insights and concrete applications of this future technology.
Panissimo: Digital Perspectives : This article explains in detail how the integration of AI optimizes repetitive production processes through the analysis of key parameters.
Schmid Automation AG : Schmid Automation AG uses AI specifically to accelerate engineering processes and to use production data more effectively for greater efficiency.
Efficient intralogistics: MiR AMRs for food & consumer goods : Learn here how the MiR1200 Pallet Jack navigates pallets completely autonomously and safely through dynamic production halls thanks to AI-supported recognition.
Digitalization, automation and food processing : This focus topic brings together all innovations related to digital networking and intelligent automation in food processing.
Special exhibition «Future Retail: What will be on the shelves tomorrow» : The special exhibition «Future Retail» presents new food concepts such as fermented proteins and upcycled products that will shape the retail trade of tomorrow.
Tasting of start-up products : (Event): Be surprised by completely new taste experiences during the daily tasting and meet the founders directly on site.
Efficient intralogistics: MiR AMRs for food & consumer goods : Experience pure technological innovation: Autonomous robots that move samples and materials completely independently through production.
Continuous development of the Lucerne trade fair
Established trade fairs such as Zebi, Luga, Suisse Tier and Swiss Plastics Expo offered opportunities for exchange, information, new contacts and experiences in the 2025/2026 business year. "We tailor our formats to the needs of visitors and exhibitors and focus on continuous development," explains Fabienne Meyerhans.
With the inaugural Terra Solid (pictures HGC and ACO above), Messe Luzern AG launched a new platform for foundation engineering and natural hazards, expanding its trade fair portfolio to include an area with significant future potential. With NovaFood and IMS – Integrated Media Systems, Messe Luzern AG continues this strategy, creating two further meeting places for their respective industries.
Messe Luzern AG has also expanded its event space offerings. With the "Halle Modul," new space is available for events with up to 1,100 people. "The initial feedback from customers is encouraging. They appreciate the spacious feel, the acoustics, the short distances, and the value for money," summarizes Fabienne Meyerhans.
With IMS – Integrated Media Systems, Messe Luzern is launching a new Swiss platform for professional system integration and digital media technology. On September 22 and 23, 2027, manufacturers, integrators, distributors, and service providers will meet planners and professional users in Lucerne.
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