North Rhine-Westphalia has four major exhibition venues close together. This guide shows how to plan a year of shows between Düsseldorf, Cologne, Essen and Dortmund, which fairs fall into which season and how to combine travel, hotels and content.
All prices plus VAT · delivered within 24 hours · See all packages & details
Messe Düsseldorf, Koelnmesse, Messe Essen and the Westfalenhallen in Dortmund sit close together in the Rhine-Ruhr region, linked by motorways and regional trains. For exhibitors this means that if you work across several industries or meet customers at different shows, you can cover several fairs with the same logistics, often from the same hotel.
The venues have different profiles. Düsseldorf is strong in industry, medical technology, wine and retail. Cologne covers consumer goods, food, furniture, digital marketing and gaming. Essen combines energy, security, horticulture and public shows, while Dortmund hosts tobacco, hunting, construction and regional industry events. The right show for you depends on your audience, not on the size of the fair.
For exhibitors flying in from abroad there is a practical advantage: Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports are both in the region, and many international routes land there directly. If you are coming from China, the Gulf, Turkey or the US for more than one show, NRW lets you stay in one place and move between venues by train or car.
The overview below is a selection based on the current calendar. Some fairs do not take place every year, and dates can move. Always check the cycle and the date in the trade fair calendar and with the organiser.
| Period | Examples |
|---|---|
| January and February | boot and EuroCIS in Düsseldorf, imm cologne, ISM and PSI in Cologne, IPM and E-world in Essen, JAGD & HUND in Dortmund |
| March and April | ProWein and BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF, IDS and FIBO in Cologne, EQUITANA in Essen |
| May and June | interzum, ANGA COM and spoga+gafa in Cologne, GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST in Düsseldorf |
| August and September | gamescom and dmexco in Cologne, CARAVAN SALON in Düsseldorf, Security Essen, InterTabac in Dortmund |
| October to December | Anuga and ORGATEC in Cologne, A+A, glasstec and MEDICA in Düsseldorf, SPIEL and Essen Motor Show in Essen |
Summer is usually quieter. January to March and September to November are busy. If you exhibit or visit several shows in those months, plan early.
During large show weeks, hotels in the host city fill up early and cost noticeably more than usual. Because the cities are close together, a hotel in a neighbouring city is often a good alternative. Factor in the daily commute and check how long it takes to arrive before opening and to get back in the evening. If you drive, clarify parking on the exhibition grounds in advance; the rules are in the exhibitor manual. Visa applications for non-EU staff can take weeks, so start as soon as the show list is fixed.
For each show, decide which share goes to space, stand build, travel, staff and content, then compare the shows with each other. You will see early where a smaller stand with good material achieves more than a large stand with no documentation. How to split the line items is covered in our guide to trade fair budgets.
If you exhibit at several shows a year, consistent material pays off. When photos from ProWein, Anuga and MEDICA share one style, your website and LinkedIn look coherent, and your archive stays useful for years.
Our office is at Messe Essen, 30 seconds from the entrance, and we work regularly at all four venues. Travel within NRW, that is to Düsseldorf, Essen, Cologne and Dortmund, is included in our packages, and non-EU companies are invoiced without German VAT. Each city has its own page with halls, typical shows and practical notes: Düsseldorf, Cologne and Dortmund.
Düsseldorf, Cologne, Essen and Dortmund can be covered with the same logistics.
January to March and September to November are packed. Summer is quieter.
In big show weeks, a hotel in a neighbouring city is often the better choice.
Not every fair runs every year. Check date and rhythm in the calendar.
One photographer for several shows keeps your visual style consistent.
With Pixer, travel to Düsseldorf, Essen, Cologne and Dortmund is included in the package.
The major venues are Messe Düsseldorf, Koelnmesse, Messe Essen and the Westfalenhallen in Dortmund, all close together in the Rhine-Ruhr region.
In the autumn for the following year. Most dates are known by then, and hotels and suppliers are still easy to book.
No. Some run every two or three years. Check date and cycle in the calendar and with the organiser.
With Pixer, yes. Travel to Düsseldorf, Essen, Cologne and Dortmund is included in the packages from €990.
Yes, and it makes sense because style and formats stay consistent. Send us all your dates for the year together.
Often, during large show weeks, because the cities are close together. Factor in the daily commute to arrive before opening.
Planning several shows in NRW? Send us your dates and we will plan photo and video for the whole year with you.
We reply within 24 hours. During a show week, WhatsApp is fastest.
