About the event

91st UFI Global Congress in Cologne, Germany

20 - 23 November 2024

About the UFI Global Congress

The UFI Global Congress, the exhibition industry's largest annual gathering, offers a "must-attend" experience.

It presents a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, network with peers, and uncover the latest industry trends and innovations.

Be inspired by our expert keynote speakers and industry leaders as they share their wealth of experience and expertise. Engage in interactive breakout sessions to discover best practices, emerging innovative technologies, and fresh business strategies.

Yet, it's not solely about work! Our Congress offers ample opportunities to unwind and connect with fellow attendees from across the globe.

Enjoy exclusive networking events and social gatherings to relax and foster connections.

In an era defined by ongoing changes, our industry faces unprecedented challenges. But within these challenges lies a world of opportunity.

The UFI Congress is your gateway to understanding how these changes can be transformed into chances to innovate, grow, and thrive in a new landscape.

Our Host City

Cologne is a feeling!

Discover the cathedral city with its over 2000 years of history, its imposing buildings, the World Heritage Site Cologne Cathedral and fascinating museums. Stroll through the old town and immerse yourself in the Cologne lifestyle!

In Germany’s fourth-largest city, there’s always something new to experience! What makes it different from other big cities? Let’s put it this way: Cologne is colourful, friendly and open, cosy and relaxed — not so much “on show” but rather more “backstage”. That’s partly due to the city’s size: it offers a vast array of experiences and evening events, but most of them are located only a stone’s throw apart.

That makes it easy to plan an eventful evening. Another aspect of Cologne’s welcoming atmosphere is its friendly people and ample opportunities for communication — on the street, in the neighbourhoods or in a museum.

Cologne’s more than 2,000 years of history — the city’s DNA, so to speak — includes a flourishing art scene that dates to the Middle Ages. In addition to many ancient treasures and cultural monuments, Cologne boasts a remarkably dense network of galleries, a very active art scene, one of the world’s oldest art fairs, and many events across every genre of art and culture throughout the year.

From exhibitions to guided tours, performances, evergreens, festivals and urban art, there’s an attractive mix of tradition and modernity that has become a hallmark of Cologne’s range of cultural offerings.

Cologne Cathedral is the landmark of Cologne and the centre of the city, visible from afar. It is the second tallest church in Germany and the third tallest church in the world. In 1996, UNESCO declared the cathedral one of the greatest European masterpieces of Gothic architecture and a World Heritage Site.

Cologne has been a vibrant city ever since Roman times. And it’s one of Germany’s top cities when it comes to restaurants and party venues. In Cologne you can expect to experience a unique and varied food and dining culture that’s distributed across all its neighbourhoods, ranging from Kölsch brewery restaurant culture with Rhineland Sauerbraten to temples of gourmet cuisine.

View Cologne City Map

The host of the 91st UFI Global Congress

What sets Koelnmesse apart?

Experience the essence of convenience and accessibility at Koelnmesse, the third largest trade fair grounds in Germany and among the top ten globally.

Strategically nestled in the heart of Europe, the location boasts easy access to Cologne's historic centre and major transportation hubs. With ample parking and seamless connectivity to international airports – Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Düsseldorf - via high-speed trains, reaching the venue has never been simpler.

At Koelnmesse, the focus is on the journey, ensuring straightforward travel options for both local and international visitors. The commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in the diverse range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the trade fair experience.

From innovative digital solutions like eSlot and Lead+Meet to the ambitious sustainability strategy, efforts are continually made to exceed expectations. In collaboration with E.ON and RheinEnergie, Koelnmesse trade fair grounds will transition to eco-friendly heating by 2028, sourcing energy from sustainable sources like air, groundwater, and solar power. This initiative will save 5,800 tones of energy and reduce CO2 emissions annually.

Join the excitement as the latest endeavour, the Confex centre, is unveiled, bridging the gap in congress venue offerings and solidifying the venue's status among Europe's premier event destinations.