Messe Düsseldorf restructures operations and makes management changes

August 6, 2024

Messe Düsseldorf has announced significant changes in its management structure, effective 1st August, with Marius Berlemann assuming the role of Managing Director for Operations. This restructuring is designed to optimise management responsibilities and enhance operational efficiency.

Under this new arrangement, Messe Düsseldorf’s leisure trade shows will be unified under the operative management. As part of this consolidation, the responsibility for boot, the world’s largest watersports show, will transition from President & CEO Wolfram N. Diener to Marius Berlemann. Additionally, Berlemann will oversee CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf, the premier international trade show for mobile travel.

Conversely, drupa, the leading global trade show for printing technologies, will be removed from operative management and fall under the direct supervision of Wolfram N. Diener. Diener already manages several of Messe Düsseldorf’s industrial trade shows, including wire und Tube, VALVE WORLD EXPO, interpack, GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, and NEWCAST. He will also oversee XPONENTIAL, the foremost trade show for uncrewed systems and robotics, which will debut its European spinoff, XPONENTIAL Europe, in Düsseldorf in February 2025.

Strategic Advantage Through Strengthened Operations

Wolfram N. Diener highlights the benefits of the restructured management: “Our trade fair portfolios are now organised in such a way to foster the best possible synergies in the coming years. That’s how we’ll reinforce the leading position of our trade shows in Düsseldorf and worldwide – while further driving their growth.”

Besides boot and CARAVAN SALON, Marius Berlemann will manage several other leading international trade shows, including K (plastics and rubber), MEDICA and COMPAMED (medical devices and healthcare), REHACARE (rehabilitation and care), ProWein (wines and spirits), EuroShop (retail), EuroCIS (retail technology), glasstec (glass industry), A+A (occupational safety and health), BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF (cosmetics and wellness), and TOP HAIR (hairdressing), as well as numerous international events in these sectors.

Berlemann expresses his commitment to enhancing the company’s market position: “In my role as Managing Director for Operations, my focus will be on continuously boosting the position of our world-leading trade shows here in Düsseldorf to further reinforce our home base. This includes strengthening our foreign business in order to bring even more international trade show guests to Düsseldorf.”

Investment in Exhibition Centre as Foundation for Success

Despite the changes in operative management, Bernhard J. Stempfle, Managing Director Finance and Infrastructure, will continue to oversee the finance department, the Digital Strategy & Communication division, and the Technology division. Stempfle emphasises the ongoing investment in infrastructure: “As we aim to provide the best foundation for the commercial success of our industries, we’re not only continuously evolving our digital services, we’re also expanding investments in our state-of-the-art, highly functional exhibition centre in Düsseldorf. This is how we’ll create the best return on investment for our customers.”

With the combined expertise of Wolfram N. Diener, Marius Berlemann, and Bernhard J. Stempfle, Messe Düsseldorf’s management is well-positioned to enhance the company’s competitive edge, working collaboratively with the entire workforce to achieve business success.

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