A consumer fair (in German: Publikumsmesse) is a fair open to all visitors with a ticket. It is aimed at end consumers rather than only at a professional audience.
Consumer fairs mainly cover topics that interest many people privately: travel, leisure, sport, water sports, games, home or health. Examples are boot in Düsseldorf, CMT in Stuttgart and SPIEL in Essen. Anyone can attend, usually with a day ticket bought online or at the box office.
Many fairs combine both forms. They have trade-only days and public days, or separate areas for trade visitors. At consumer fairs, selling directly on the stand is often possible too, with the exact rules set by the organiser.
At a consumer fair you have many short contacts instead of a few long conversations. Visitors come with family or friends, want to try things out, compare and often buy on the spot. Your stand (booth) therefore needs open space, hands-on activities and enough staff for peak times, especially at weekends. Expect queues at popular stations, and plan how to use that time for conversations. Children and families often need activities of their own.
Plan activations that draw people in without blocking the aisle: demonstrations at fixed times, competitions or a photo spot. Keep an eye on noise, safety and the organiser's rules on music and sales.
A consumer fair offers a lot for content. Busy aisles, visitor reactions and hands-on activities make for lively pictures and short clips for Instagram, TikTok and Reels that you can publish while the show is still running.
When it gets crowded we work with compact equipment and position ourselves so that visitors are not obstructed. Wide shots show how busy the stand is, close-ups show products and activations. You usually receive the first photos on the same day, so you can post during the show. Short comments from visitors who are happy to say something round off the clips.
At consumer fairs many private individuals appear in the picture, including families with children. We pay attention to who is shown recognisably and obtain consent for close-ups and interviews. More in the guide Image rights at trade fairs.
A consumer fair is open to everyone and aimed at end consumers. A trade show is reserved for trade visitors who deal with the industry professionally.
For close-ups in which people are recognisably the focus, and for interviews, you should obtain consent. Take particular care with children.
Send us the fair, hall and the activations planned on your stand. We plan the shoot around the busy hours and deliver within 24 hours after the show ends.
We reply within 24 hours. During a show week, WhatsApp is fastest.
