To mark its 100th anniversary, Koelnmesse is hosting a grand opening ceremony for Europe’s most cutting-edge event and congress centre – Confex. The technologically and environmentally groundbreaking new building creates new opportunities for innovative event formats in the region. After almost three years of construction, a core element of the one-billion-euro investment programme Koelnmesse 3.0 is launching on schedule.
"For 100 years, Koelnmesse has been a centre for ideas and innovations from all over the world. Confex will secure this special position for the next generation," said NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. "It was the wish of former Mayor of Cologne and Koelnmesse founder, Konrad Adenauer, that the trade fair should grow into a place of encounter – a place that contributes to understanding between nations, between Germany and neighbouring European countries. That is truly a success." Wüst emphasised that Koelnmesse today is an important pillar for North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location and offers companies from all over the world a platform for networking and opening up new markets. It not only generates economic added value for the region, but also sustainably strengthens the innovative power and international reputation of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The centrepiece of the Confex building, with a total size of 20,500 square metres, is the Confex Hall. This hall can be divided into three sections and has space for 4,300 people. The foyer leads directly onto the 5,600 square metre open-air terrace, the Confex Plaza. As part of one of the world’s largest exhibition centres, Confex is connected to additional, functionally flexible spaces, meaning that additional capacity can be added as necessary.
"With the new opening, Koelnmesse is closing a gap that has existed in our trade fair infrastructure for quite some time. As an especially attractive venue for congresses and hybrid events for over 6,000 guests, Confex will draw entirely new events and target groups to Cologne. This is why the city and state, as shareholders, have supported the construction of Confex, even in difficult times," said Henriette Reker, Mayor of Cologne and Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Koelnmesse. The new three-storey building was designed by architecture firm JSWD and blends seamlessly into the ensemble of existing Koelnmesse buildings.
"Completion of the new Confex, a location for trade fairs, congresses and events, creates a facility that provides decisive support to Koelnmesse as it positions its events in the future trade fair world," said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH. The sustainable safeguarding of trade fair operations and new events held with new target groups outside of the main trade fair schedule bring massive locational benefits to Cologne and the region. "The location stands for flexibility, efficiency and emotional appeal — and thus for the future of the trade fair industry."
The new venue is enjoying market success right from the start: Koelncongress, Koelnmesse subsidiary and marketer of Confex, already has bookings and requests until the end of 2029.
"Confex will already host its first events in summer 2024. Many of the organisers are coming to Cologne for the first time," said Koelncongress General Manager Ralf Nüsser.
The new building is also in line with Koelnmesse’s commitment to a sustainable, resource-conserving and climate-friendly design of its location and processes. Confex already received Platinum pre-certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) during the construction phase. "Architecture is not only the stage for encounters and communication, but is itself an expression of social and technological developments," said Jürgen Steffens from the architecture firm JSWD, responsible for the design and general planning. Alongside the central issue of sustainability, digital networking of functional areas was put front and centre.
For 100 years, Koelnmesse has been a lively hub for innovation, trade and international cooperation. The starting shot for establishment of the trade fair came from Konrad Adenauer in 1924. He laid the foundations for its internationally recognised success story. "Confex is a new milestone on this path that has brought companies, people and nations together for ten decades," Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse said. "Welcome to a world where innovation meets tradition!"
Under the motto 'Yesterday | Today | Tomorrow — Koelnmesse connects', the anniversary celebrations will offer sensory experiences from the past, present and future: multimedia show blocks will take guests on a two-hour tour de force from the 1920s to the present day and into the future. After the journey through time, culinary highlights will be served up by TV celebrity chef Johann Lafer and the Koelncongress catering team at numerous live cooking stations.
