Koelnmesse awarded Digital Champion 2026

Koelnmesse has been named Digital Champion 2026, taking the top spot in the latest study by ServiceValue commissioned by DEUTSCHLAND TEST and FOCUS MONEY. Koelnmesse systematically uses data to help visitors and exhibitors make more informed decisions and offer innovative services.

by Koelnmesse || May 13, 2026

“The award as ‘Digital Champion 2026’ is both confirmation and motivation for us.”

“At the same time. It shows that with our clear strategic focus on data, platforms and digital business models, we have taken the right path,” says Gerald Böse (right), Chairman of the Management Board of Koelnmesse .

"Our aim is to further develop Koelnmesse as a pioneer of digital transformation in the trade fair industry and to offer our customers real added value through innovative solutions."

The decisive factor for the award is primarily that Koelnmesse has...

has been consistently expanding its digital offerings for years. The goal is to make trade fair visits more accessible.

to make exhibitors and visitors easier and more comfortable, and their

to facilitate personal interaction. The company is working to do this to all

digital offerings will in future be website-based with an accompanying app on a

to bundle a common platform, for example around gamescom 2026. For

For users, this means: They will find information, services and

Make contacts in one place and experience the trade fair consistently across all channels.

NFC-based access solutions at the turnstiles are intended to simplify and accelerate the processes for trade fair visitors in the future.

At the same time, Koelnmesse systematically uses data to further improve its offerings.

to be more targeted towards visitors and exhibitors. New systems

They also ensure that information can be evaluated more quickly,

for example, to better manage visitor flows or to provide targeted services

to develop further.

The trade fair experience itself is also becoming more digital and customized. New apps

and websites offer personalized recommendations based on your own

Interests, facilitate orientation on the premises and support with

Networking between visitors and exhibitors. At the same time, the

Koelnmesse automates internal processes and can thus improve its offerings.

to develop more efficiently and flexibly.

Furthermore, Koelnmesse is actively driving innovation forward, for example through the

Implementation of comprehensive AI measures and the use of new technologies.

Digitalization is also becoming increasingly tangible on-site, for example through

future NFC-based access solutions at the turnstiles, the processes

Simplify and accelerate. NFC (Near Field Communication) is a

Wireless technology that allows two devices to travel over very short distances (a few centimeters)

They can exchange data wirelessly.

“We think about digitalization holistically: from the technical infrastructure to

Data optimization up to concrete applications for our customers.

What's crucial for us is that this creates real added value and that we...

Trade fair success of our customers measurable and transparent with the help of digital solutions

The award shows that this approach is also being recognized externally.

and is rated as convincing,” adds Patrick Wölke (picture above),

Head of Digital Business Unit at Koelnmesse.

With its digital initiatives, Koelnmesse is expanding its position as one of the

Germany's leading and most innovative trade fair locations are being further developed and are actively shaping the digital future of the industry.

The award confirms the excellent reputation of the

Koelnmesse on the topic of digitalization in comparison to all German

Trade fair locations.

The study surveyed approximately 16,500 people across various industries.

Companies were examined regarding their digital capabilities.

The basis is a two-stage process consisting of a detailed company survey on digitalization measures and a

broad monitoring, in which both the response in social media is taken into account

Media as well as press coverage will be analyzed.

TAKE OUT: Koelnmesse once again a pioneer in sustainability

Koelnmesse once again wins the award as Germany's leading

and the most innovative trade fair location in terms of sustainability. This is the conclusion of the study "Pioneers in Sustainability 2025" by the consulting firm ServiceValue and the FAZ Institute. In its study, the subsidiary of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung assesses the sustainability reputation of a total of around 16,000 companies based on AI-supported online and social media monitoring.