# Exhibition Stand Builder in Essen > Quick summary: This page helps exhibitors at Messe Essen choose between EXPRESS Booth for a faster fixed-price stand path and EXFAIR for a more custom stand with stronger brand impact. ## Canonical - https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/ ## At a glance - Venue: Messe Essen in Essen - Address: Messeplatz 1, 45131 Essen - Faster path: EXPRESS Booth - More custom path: EXFAIR - First assessment: within 48 hours of your enquiry - EXPRESS quote: within 24 hours ## When EXPRESS is the better fit - When the project needs to move quickly - When fixed-price clarity and low internal coordination matter - When you want a professional stand without a long concept phase ## When EXFAIR is the better fit - When the stand needs stronger brand impact and architecture - When visitor guidance, meeting zones and product staging matter more - When the concept should be more tightly tailored to brand and conversations ## Project process 1. Clarify goals, stand size and timing 2. Decide whether EXPRESS or EXFAIR fits better 3. Organize graphics, technical production, logistics, installation and on-site support ## Exhibiting from abroad **Exhibiting at Messe Essen from abroad.** Travelling to Essen from outside Germany? Brief us in English. The stand at Messe Essen is planned, built and dismantled locally, and your team only travels for the show. - **Briefed in English** (One contact): Form, email or phone: one contact for stand, graphics, logistics and exhibits at Messe Essen. - **No German VAT for companies abroad** (Invoice): Within the EU under the reverse-charge procedure with a valid VAT ID; the quote states the treatment. - **Exhibits shipped, customs handled** (Logistics): Shipping your exhibits to Messe Essen and customs clearance are organised together with the stand. - **Fixed price or custom build** (EXPRESS · EXFAIR): EXPRESS from €5,999 net per show, plus logistics costs; EXFAIR from concept and 3D visualisation to storage. - **Venue rules checked** (Technical guidelines · Messe Essen): Hall heights, floor loads, rigging and delivery windows at Messe Essen are set by the venue's technical guidelines; they are checked per project before the stand is planned. The grounds: 10 halls, 110,000 m² of hall space. - **Getting to Messe Essen** (Arrival): Düsseldorf Airport is around 20 minutes away, Essen main station is a long-distance rail hub, and light rail line U11 reaches the Messe Ost/Grugahalle and Messe West/Messe Süd stops in about 5 minutes. - **International fairs at Messe Essen** (Leading fairs): International exhibitors are part of the picture here: SHK+E ESSEN (sanitation, heating, air conditioning & electrical); IPM ESSEN (horticulture): 1,476 exhibitors from 41 countries in 2026; Security Essen (security technology): more than 500 exhibitors from 36 countries in 2024; E-world energy & water (energy industry); Retro Classics Essen (classic & modern classic cars). - **Country guides** (EXFAIR, by country of origin): United Kingdom (E-world energy & water, Security Essen): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/united-kingdom; Netherlands (E-world energy & water, Security Essen): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/netherlands; France (E-world energy & water, Security Essen): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/france; Switzerland (E-world energy & water): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/schweiz; Nordics (E-world energy & water): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/skandinavien; China (Security Essen): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/china; Italy (Security Essen): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/italy; Belgium (neighbouring country): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/belgien; India (guide available): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/india; Australia (guide available): https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller/australien. All 21 countries: https://www.exfair.de/en/internationale-aussteller To start, send the fair, dates, hall and stand number if assigned, floor area and goal. ### International FAQ #### Q.12: Can you build our stand at Messe Essen if our company is based outside Germany? Yes. Planning, production, set-up and dismantling happen locally at Messe Essen, so where your company is based does not change the process; only your team and exhibits travel to Essen. #### Q.13: Can we brief and coordinate the project in English? Yes, via the enquiry form on this page, at hello@exfair.de or by phone at +49 7721 885880. #### Q.14: Do we pay German VAT as a company based outside Germany? No. Companies based outside Germany are invoiced without German VAT, within the EU under the reverse-charge procedure, which requires a valid VAT ID. The treatment is stated in the quote. #### Q.15: Can you ship our exhibits to Messe Essen and handle customs? Yes. Besides the stand, shipping your exhibits to Messe Essen and customs clearance are organised as part of the project, so products arrive on the stand in time for the show. #### Q.16: What should we send for a first quote when exhibiting in Essen from abroad? The fair and dates, hall and stand number if assigned, floor area, stand type (row, corner, peninsula or island) and the goal of the presence. A first assessment follows within 48 hours. #### Q.17: Is there a guide for exhibitors from our country coming to Essen? Yes. EXFAIR publishes guides for exhibitors from 21 countries and regions, covering customs, invoicing, funding and typical fairs. Relevant for Essen: United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Nordics and China. The links are in the cheat sheet at the top of this page. ## References ### EXPRESS - Hamilton: clear product-focused stand with a strong graphic wall - OPES Solutions: focused stand with a tall back wall and a clear message ### EXFAIR - Sikla: technical brand space with product staging and meetings - Casio: high-impact product stand with long-distance visibility and consultation zones ## FAQ highlights - EXPRESS is often the better fit when time pressure is high - EXFAIR is stronger when brand impact and custom spatial design matter more - Costs mainly depend on floor area, customization level, graphics, technology, logistics and reuse; benchmark: EXPRESS from €5,999 net rental price per show (no German VAT for companies based outside Germany), EXFAIR quoted per project - The first inquiry works best with goals, floor area, timing and technical requirements ## Location profile Leading trade fairs at Messe Essen: SHK+E ESSEN, IPM ESSEN, Security Essen, E-world energy & water, Retro Classics Essen. Messe Essen is mid-sized and built around recurring trade events. IPM ESSEN in January brings together horticulture, with 1,476 exhibitors in 2026, and E-world energy & water in February the energy sector, with 1,136 exhibitors. SHK+E ESSEN for sanitation, heating, air conditioning and electrical trades, from 2027 Retro Classics Essen as successor to Techno-Classica, which has moved to Dortmund. For stand planning: The audience is predominantly professional and arrives with specific questions, sample parts, cutaway models and a technical contact on the stand achieve more than image space. The halls are easy to navigate, which favours compact stands. Venue data: 10 halls, 110,000 m² of hall space, 20,000 m² of outdoor area ## Trade fair calendar - 26–29 January 2027: IPM ESSEN – Horticulture - 16–18 February 2027: E-world energy & water – Energy industry - 14–18 April 2027: Retro Classics Essen – Classic cars - 19–22 September 2028: Security Essen – Security technology Organiser-confirmed dates only. As of: 2026-09-12 ## Leading trade fairs in detail ### SHK+E ESSEN Sanitation, heating, air conditioning & electrical · every two years · next edition 21–24 March 2028 SHK+E ESSEN is the trade fair for sanitation, heating, air conditioning and electrical technology held every two years in March, aimed at trades, installers, planners and consultants from western Germany, Benelux and France. In 2026, 350 exhibitors presented on 41,800 m² to over 30,000 visitors, the next edition runs from 21 to 24 March 2028. Exhibitors 2026 per AUMA (https://www.auma.de/messen-finden/details/?tfd=essen_shk-e-essen_228228): 41 of 343 from abroad. Source: https://www.shke-essen.de/ ### IPM ESSEN Horticulture · annual · next edition 26–29 January 2027 IPM ESSEN is the annual January trade fair for horticulture covering plants, technology, floristry and equipment. In 2026, 1,476 companies from 41 nations exhibited for almost 40,000 trade visitors, the next edition runs from 26 to 29 January 2027. Source: https://www.ipm-essen.de/ ### Security Essen Security technology · every two years · next edition 19–22 September 2028 security essen is the trade fair for security technology held every two years in September, from access control and video surveillance to perimeter and fire protection and cybersecurity. In 2024 over 20,000 visitors came to more than 500 exhibitors from 36 nations. The 2026 edition: 22 to 25 September. Source: https://www.security-essen.de/ ### E-world energy & water Energy industry · annual · next edition 16–18 February 2027 E-world energy & water is the trade fair for the energy industry held every February in Essen, generation, grids, storage, trading and energy IT. In 2026, 1,136 companies exhibited and more than 37,000 trade visitors from 126 nations attended; the next edition runs from 16 to 18 February 2027. Exhibitors 2026 per AUMA (https://www.auma.de/messen-finden/details/?tfd=essen_e-world-energy-water_229079): 332 of 1,190 from abroad, 33 countries; largest groups from the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Source: https://e-world-essen.com/en/neuigkeiten/strong-growth-in-exhibitors-visitors-and-international-participation-e-world-energy-water-on-record-course-in-its-anniversary-year/ ### Retro Classics Essen Classic & modern classic cars · annual · next edition 14–18 April 2027 RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN is the annual April show for driving culture at Messe Essen, with classic and youngtimer cars presented by collectors, dealers and clubs. Its premiere from 8 to 12 April 2026 drew 65,500 visitors from 51 countries, the second edition runs from 14 to 18 April 2027. Source: https://www.retro-classics-essen.de/en/press/press-material/details?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=603&cHash=3b0738de9acb13a628ee5acb3d1ca0b2 ## Building a stand at this venue - Stand height: Up to 6.00 m in halls 1 to 3, Galeria and 5 to 8, 4.50 m in hall 1A and parts of hall 4. The venue's partition walls are 2.50 m high and charged. - Approval: Single-storey hall stands need no plans. All other structures: dimensioned plans 6 weeks before build-up at the latest, two-storey and special builds with verifiable structural calculations. - Rigging: Subject to approval; only the venue's contractors work in the roof structure. Not possible in hall 1A, parts of halls 3 to 5 and the Galeria. - Deliveries: Entry only during build-up and dismantling, managed via the check-in at the signposted car park. Own cranes and forklifts are prohibited. Source: Technical guidelines of Messe Essen, version March 2026: https://www.security-essen.de/media/neue-medien/serviceformulare/allgemein/2026/technischerichtlinien-technicalguidelines-2026.pdf ## Location FAQ ### Q.07: Which trade fairs in Essen matter most for a B2B exhibition stand? At Messe Essen, five leading trade fairs shape the calendar: SHK+E ESSEN (Sanitation, heating, air conditioning & electrical, every two years); IPM ESSEN (Horticulture, annual); Security Essen (Security technology, every two years); E-world energy & water (Energy industry, annual); Retro Classics Essen (Classic & modern classic cars, annual). The next confirmed dates are listed in the trade fair calendar on this page, with details on each fair in the section Leading trade fairs in detail. Deeplink: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/#faq-q-07 ### Q.08: How early should we commission a stand for SHK+E ESSEN in Essen? SHK+E ESSEN is held every two years. The next edition runs from 21 to 24 March 2028. A custom EXFAIR brand space needs 2 to 12 months of lead time for concept, 3D planning and production, so for this edition the brief should arrive by 21 Jan 2028 at the latest. An EXPRESS stand needs 2 to 8 weeks (by 7 Mar 2028 at the latest): quote within 24 hours, set-up in one day. Deeplink: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/#faq-q-08 ### Q.09: What should we know about set-up and logistics at Messe Essen? The audience is predominantly professional and arrives with specific questions, sample parts, cutaway models and a technical contact on the stand achieve more than image space. The halls are easy to navigate, which favours compact stands. The venue has 10 halls with 110,000 m² of hall space and 20,000 m² of outdoor area. Düsseldorf Airport is around 20 minutes away, Essen main station is a long-distance rail hub, and light rail line U11 reaches the Messe Ost/Grugahalle and Messe West/Messe Süd stops in about 5 minutes. According to the technical guidelines of Messe Essen (version March 2026): Rigging: Subject to approval; only the venue's contractors work in the roof structure. Not possible in hall 1A, parts of halls 3 to 5 and the Galeria. Deliveries: Entry only during build-up and dismantling, managed via the check-in at the signposted car park. Own cranes and forklifts are prohibited. The technical guidelines of Messe Essen are binding: hall heights, floor loads, rigging and delivery windows come from those documents and are checked per project before the stand is planned. Deeplink: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/#faq-q-09 ### Q.10: How high can an exhibition stand be at Messe Essen? According to the technical guidelines of Messe Essen (version March 2026): Stand height: Up to 6.00 m in halls 1 to 3, Galeria and 5 to 8, 4.50 m in hall 1A and parts of hall 4. The venue's partition walls are 2.50 m high and charged. Approval: Single-storey hall stands need no plans. All other structures: dimensioned plans 6 weeks before build-up at the latest, two-storey and special builds with verifiable structural calculations. Individual fairs may differ; the documents of the specific fair are binding. We check the rules for every project before the stand is planned. Deeplink: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/#faq-q-10 ### Q.11: Can I rent an exhibition stand in Essen? Yes. With EXPRESS you rent a complete exhibition stand for SHK+E ESSEN or any other fair at Messe Essen: stand system, fabric banners, lighting, carpet, setup and dismantling, storage room and project management are included in the rental price per show, covering the whole show from setup to dismantling. Prices start at €5,999 net for 9 to 16 m² (M with 18 to 25 m² from €7,999, L with 25 to 36 m² from €10,999). Plus logistics costs for transport and delivery. Your quote gives an estimate, and we bill them at actual cost. The final rental price usually arrives within 24 hours. From two shows a year you get 5 to 15% off. For more than 36 m² or a custom design, EXFAIR plans the stand to measure. Deeplink: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/#faq-q-11 ## Why this page is reliable - Maintained by Atelier Bubori GmbH together with EXFAIR and EXPRESS Booth - The EXPRESS versus EXFAIR distinction follows the same project questions that usually come up first in real exhibition planning: goals, floor area, timing, brand impact and technical needs - References, FAQ logic and contact paths are kept consistent on purpose, while costs are described as factors plus the published EXPRESS starting price, never as invented flat prices ## Important links - HTML page: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/en/ - German version: https://www.messestand-in-essen.de/ - EXFAIR contact: https://www.exfair.de/en/kontakt - EXFAIR email and phone: hello@exfair.de · +49 7721 885880 - EXPRESS Booth: https://www.express-booth.com/ ## Audience - Exhibitors from Germany - Teams across Europe - International project, sales and marketing teams exhibiting at Messe Essen