Germany
A golden age
NürnbergMesse CEO Peter Ottman looks back on 50 years of hosting trade shows in the second-largest city of Bavaria and what the future holds for one of the world ’ s most successful expo organisers
rom a regional
F exhibition start-up to a global player , NürnbergMesse has come a long way since 1974 . How would you describe the key factors behind the company ’ s success over the past 50 years ? The unwavering trust of our customers , the strong support of our main shareholders City of Nuremberg and the Free State of Bavaria , the incredible enthusiasm and dedication of our staff , and , of course , tons of luck . All these elements have played a crucial role in our journey from a facility management company in 1974 to one of the world ’ s leading companies in the exhibition industry today .
What differentiates NürnbergMesse from other exhibition venues worldwide ? What sets NürnbergMesse apart is our unique location . We are the only international exhibition player headquartered in a city of just over 500,000 inhabitants . Despite this , we have ascended to the top through our distinctive growth mindset – the Spirit to Grow .
How has NürnbergMesse ’ s approach to digital services and hybrid formats evolved since the pandemic , and how do these strategies fit into your long-term vision ? The pandemic catalysed a significant shift in our digital strategy . For the first time in our history , we are investing a substantial double-digit amount to enhance our digital services . This investment underscores the importance of digital transformation to our future success . Hybrid formats , such as our it-sa 365 platform , will be a central pillar in our development moving forward , allowing us to
Above : Peter Ottman
Left : Show time at NürnbergMesse provide value both on-site and online .
With NürnbergMesse celebrating its 50th anniversary , what does this milestone mean to you personally ? This milestone holds a special meaning for me . It marks not only 50 years of NürnbergMesse but also 30 years of my journey with the company . It ’ s a moment of reflection on the extraordinary growth we ’ ve achieved together , and it fills me with pride to have been part of this success story .
The company ’ s revenues in 2023 were € 265m , and the target for the 50th-anniversary year is € 340m . What strategies are you implementing to achieve this ambitious goal ? It is less about strategy and more about resilience and trust . We already reached € 330m in 2018 , so we are confident that we will recover and exceed that level . The speed of our rebound is a testament to the loyalty of our customers and the dedication of our global team , who have worked tirelessly to make this happen .
How do you see the company continuing to grow in the future ? Are there any upcoming initiatives or investments that you believe will play a key role in NürnbergMesse ’ s next phase of growth ? We focus on five key investment pillars : our staff , our existing products , the development of new products , enhancing our digital services , and improving our exhibition centre in Nuremberg . These areas will be critical as we continue to grow and innovate , ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the exhibition industry .
28 Issue 5 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk