Koelnmesse and Design Post: New era for creative events!

Koelnmesse and Design Post: New era for creative events!

Something is happening in Cologne! Koelnmesse and Design Post have signed a new cooperation agreement that lays the foundations for regular use of Design Post as an event location. This alliance aims to consolidate the previously rather selective collaboration and give the city a fresh event format. Gerald Böse, the chairman of Koelnmesse, emphasizes how crucial the accessibility of the Design Post is for trade fair visitors. This is located directly opposite the east entrance to the trade fair and can therefore be easily reached on foot. The events that take place here are also more visible in the cityscape because they take place outside the exhibition center and thus bring a breath of fresh air into Cologne's event landscape.

Wim van Ast, Managing Director of Design Post, is convinced of the importance of this cooperation for the creative industry. New formats are planned for trade fair guests, conference customers and external interested parties. The Koelncongress will help to communicate Design Post's free capacities to interested parties. The first joint event, the idd Cologne, will take place from October 26th to 29th, 2023 under the motto “Shaping Homes & Hospitality”. This event is an offshoot of imm Cologne, which was recently canceled but will take place again annually as a pure order fair from 2026.

The possibilities of Design Post

The Design Post has more than 3,500 square meters of space in which over 35 renowned companies present their installations. The location was opened in 2006 and offers a modern and inviting environment that not only benefits the exhibitors, but above all the visitors. The historic building from 1913 has been modernized and now shines in new splendor.

More and more event planners are looking for unique venues as 48% of them want to create memorable experiences. At the same time, 41% are relying on hybrid formats for the future. The organizers are concerned with a good experience, although five-star service is no longer the absolute priority. These trends are also reflected in the direction of imm Cologne, which will be launching in 2023 with its “Spring Edition” from June 4th to 7th under a new concept. The topic of kitchen is also integrated here in order to meet changing market requirements.

A look at the future of events

The event industry itself is facing numerous challenges, such as the increased need for sustainability and accessibility. For example, 78% of companies plan to achieve net zero targets by the end of 2024. At the same time, technology is changing: more and more companies are relying on the use of AI to automate time-consuming tasks and increase efficiency. These developments will also influence future events and their planning.

The cooperation between Koelnmesse and Design Post opens up a promising space for the creative industry in Cologne. It remains exciting to see which innovative formats and ideas are brought to life here. Cologne is becoming increasingly attractive as a location for moving events and offers exciting opportunities to both trade visitors and the public.

Further information about the cooperation and the planned events can be found on the website Review and the current trends in the event industry Cvent.