SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 13, 2025 - Koelnmesse is deepening its position as one of the world's most internationally active trade fair organizers, announcing multiple successful show launches in Saudi Arabia and preparing to debut ORGATEC WORKSPACE Saudi Arabia on 16 September 2025. The expansion reflects growing demand for specialized B2B events in high-growth global markets and underscores Koelnmesse's outbound strategy to strengthen brands beyond Cologne.
Strong New Launches Signal Momentum in Saudi Arabia
Koelnmesse's first half of 2025 marked a milestone with the premiere editions of FSB Sports Show Riyadh and International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia, jointly attracting 13,110 trade visitors. Both launches delivered strong exhibitor engagement in sectors aligned with Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030"-from sports infrastructure and leisure facilities to tools and hardware for industrial development.
"I am delighted that our recent trade fair premieres in Saudi Arabia have been so well received for their scale, the quality of participation and the business opportunities they have created - and that they have quickly secured their place in the Saudi trade fair calendar," said Gerald Böse, Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.
The FSB Sports Show Riyadh quickly emerged as the country's largest dedicated event for sports infrastructure and public space design. The debut aligned with the nation's investment in stadiums, sports halls, and community recreation spaces ahead of major upcoming events including the 2029 Asian Winter Games, 2030 World Expo, and 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Deepening Market Access Through Strategic Partnerships
Running parallel, the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia captured significant attention in the region's fast-growing construction and industrial sectors. As the first large-scale trade fair dedicated to the country's USD 11-billion tools and hardware market, the event reinforced Koelnmesse's role as a gateway for international SMEs seeking new export opportunities.
"Foreign trade fairs are a booster for German SMEs," emphasized Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. "They support small and medium-sized companies in particular in diversifying their business, securing it through a broader positioning or even gaining a foothold in markets in which they previously had no presence of their own."
The momentum is also supported by dmg events, Koelnmesse's strategic partner in Saudi Arabia. "The excellent feedback and high levels of rebooking show there is strong demand for these product sectors and we will deliver even bigger editions in 2026 to meet that demand," said Matt Denton, President of dmg.
ORGATEC WORKSPACE Arrives in Riyadh in 2025
Building on this success, Koelnmesse will launch ORGATEC WORKSPACE Saudi Arabia on 16 September 2025. Based on the globally recognized ORGATEC brand, the event will showcase workplace innovation, office furnishings, and new models of hybrid collaboration.
The show extends ORGATEC's growing global footprint and positions the brand in one of the world's most dynamic markets for office transformation, real-estate development, and corporate workspace modernization.
Global Trade Fair Market Reaches New Highs
With global B2B trade fair revenues exceeding USD 40 billion in 2023-up significantly from 2019-Koelnmesse sees sustained demand for cross-border participation. "I see this as clear evidence of the increasing global reach of the Koelnmesse portfolio," Böse noted. "This strengthening of our international presence is primarily based on targeted activities in key markets and the expansion of strategic partnerships."
Koelnmesse now operates a network of 10 international subsidiaries and representatives across 100 countries, making internationalization a central pillar of its growth strategy.
Extensive 2025-2026 International Launch Program
By the end of 2025, Koelnmesse will introduce six additional international trade fairs, including key premieres such as ORGATEC India, interzum jakarta, and International Hardware Fair Indonesia. These events-along with leadership roles in private-sector participations and the Expo in Japan-reflect the company's ambitions to align global B2B markets with Cologne's flagship brands.
"Our events abroad are very important brand ambassadors for Koelnmesse and bring numerous new international exhibitors and visitors to our trade fairgrounds in Cologne," Böse added.
Learn More
Further information on Koelnmesse's worldwide trade fair portfolio is available at https://www.koelnmesse.com.