About Wolfgang Marzin
Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, has described trade fairs as "echte Seismographen der Wirtschaft" (true seismographs of the economy), stating that they reveal which industries are booming and where challenges may arise. He noted that Messe Frankfurt operates 28 subsidiaries across all continents except Australia, with recent expansions into countries such as Saudi Arabia. Marzin also discussed the shift from global to continental leading trade fairs, attributing this to factors such as visa restrictions and trade barriers.
Marzin highlighted the importance of in-person events, particularly during the pandemic, stating that Messe Frankfurt held a trade fair during that period to demonstrate the importance of air quality in halls and buildings. He emphasized that trade fairs serve as neutral platforms for competition and innovation, and that the company has grown its portfolio in India from one show in 2010 to 25 shows. Regarding energy efficiency, Marzin noted that 40% of energy is consumed in buildings and described the light+building trade fair as a platform for the industry to work toward reducing that consumption.
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Wolfgang Marzin's recent appearances.
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Transcript (5 segments)
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Host0:40
Welcome to IMEX. I am pleased to extend a very warm welcome to Wolfgang Marzin, President of Messe Frankfurt, and to Matthew Schunter from our strategic partners. We are delighted to have ministers, government officials, and industry leaders joining us. IMEX brings together politicians, policy makers, and industry leaders to share knowledge about the contribution of our industry to economic development. Over the last 15 years, we have seen the debate move forward. This year, 122 events in 35 countries highlight the industry's value. Despite uncertainties from Brexit, elections, and security concerns, there are signs of positivity. The IMF projects global growth of 3.5% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018. Research by MPI shows 69% of respondents expect favorable business conditions. The industry has responded to security threats with the Exhibition Industry Safety and Security initiative. IMEX reveals a forward-looking attitude, with the largest ever number of exhibitors.
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Wolfgang Marzin5:00
Every year, it is a privilege to welcome you back to Germany, to Frankfurt, and to Messe Frankfurt. For us, the last day of setup is the most important. I walked through the halls yesterday and it is astonishing how much you contribute each year, adding value with more confidence, more delegates, and a larger number of exhibitors. It is a privilege to have you here in this new space with better acoustics and a cozier atmosphere. Thank you for bringing the community together in Frankfurt.
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Host6:00
In the meantime, in Las Vegas, we have leading conference organizers. He is also very involved in football. His team just moved up to the Premier League – congratulations. Maybe that is why he is successful in both team sports and organizing conventions. I would like to award you with the Joy of Art, Health Meetings, and the Seagulls. This is what winners look like. Congratulations to Greg and his teams of Ibex and the Seagulls. Have a great show, everybody.
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Wolfgang Marzin7:43
Destinations and regions welcome a huge number of international guests. Last week we published our latest figures, and the number of international delegates has more than doubled within the last decade. This shows how important meetings are globally. It is a great honor to see so many people from different countries in Frankfurt. There is no substitute for face-to-face meetings, even with digitization. International understanding is more important than ever, and meetings can be real platforms for that. IMEX has shown for more than 15 years that it brings people together from all over the world, with different beliefs and backgrounds. This can only happen if we guarantee free movement with low barriers. Many Germans experienced the lack of freedom before reunification – we cannot recommend that. We must learn from history. Destinations, venues, associations, and companies need to cooperate beyond borders. An example is the Green Initiative founded here at IMEX, a strategic alliance of national convention bureaus to boost Europe as a destination. I extend my thanks to Ralph for supporting this initiative. I see that this year's IMEX community is also your signature, thanks to your communication strategies. Thank you very much, Karina, for your kind words. Thank you all for coming to Germany – it is the best place you could be.
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Keynote Speaker12:02
There is something great about attending a meeting about meetings. I am delighted to be here. For the last five years, I have been learning about the meetings industry, and I have come to understand that it is one of the most sophisticated emerging industries of the 21st century. I am an expert in cities and urban development, working with about 100 cities around the world. These cities are trying to put themselves on a future global map. I work with mayors, governors, and economic development leaders. Cities are engines of productivity, innovation, social mobility, and entrepreneurship. They are the most environmentally efficient form of human settlement, at least in theory. The meetings industry plays a key role in city development.
