December 11, 2025
A Year That Shows What Is Possible
When stars and TV crews come and go within the same week – and shortly afterwards bass drums and drum kits make the halls shake – one thing becomes clear: there is much more happening here than “just a trade fair.”
2025 was a year of diversity for guest events on the Friedrichshafen exhibition grounds. A total of 37 unique guest events used the venue as their stage – ranging from trade and public fairs to company meetings, congresses, sports events, and TV productions. Together, they brought more than 92,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors to Lake Constance.
Behind all these formats lies a common thread: Messe Friedrichshafen sees itself as a reliable host – with halls, conference rooms, and open spaces capable of far more than one might assume at first glance.
Stars, Sounds, Spotlight: Entertainment in Friedrichshafen
Right at the beginning of the year, things got glamorous: for the Giovanni Zarrella Show, the exhibition hall transformed into a full TV stage – complete with camera cranes, light shows, and a live band. Well-known pop and Schlager artists such as Roland Kaiser, Nicole, and Ross Antony took to the stage. With 6,500 fans attending the live recording, Friedrichshafen turned into a major show venue for one evening.
Only a short time later, an entirely different audience was drawn to Lake Constance: the Europe Drum Show took place in Germany for the very first time in 2025, attracting around 4,000 visitors. Here, the international drumming community came together – from dedicated hobby musicians to professional drummers. Among cymbals, snares, and percussion instruments, 56 exhibitors presented an impressive variety of products and performances.
From Automation to Aviation: How Trade Fairs Filled the Halls
When bright spotlights and rhythmic drums make way for technical innovations and expert discussions, the stage belongs to the trade fairs. All about automation demonstrated just how essential personal dialogue is for automation processes. The event brought decision-makers and users together with manufacturers, creating space for new, practice-oriented solutions.
AERO Friedrichshafen showcased the full spectrum of general aviation. Around 32,000 visitors explored innovations presented by 760 exhibitors – from compact recreational aircraft to more complex systems. Anyone walking through the halls gained a clear impression of how dynamically this industry continues to evolve.
Smaller niche events and specialized topics also shaped the year: Eurobee focused on everything related to beekeeping, while Haus Bau Energie put sustainable construction, renovation, and accessible living in the spotlight. The Bodan industry meeting served as an in-house trade fair for the organic retail sector, and InterDive immersed visitors in the world of diving, snorkeling, and underwater travel.
From the depths of the oceans back to the road: in July, Adventure Southside brought together passionate tinkerers, off-road adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts to exchange ideas on off-roading, camper vans, and outdoor travel, and to discover the latest gadgets. The Movera Infoshow in-house exhibition became a key meeting point for Movera customers and buyers in the camping industry.
Company Assemblies & Community Gatherings: Where Businesses and Municipalities Shape Their Future
But Messe Friedrichshafen is not only a meeting place for interested visitors, exhibitors, adventurers, and athletes – companies and municipalities also found their space here in 2025. Whether a small conference, a company assembly with several thousand participants, or a large gathering of a faith community: the exhibition halls became a place where companies such as ZF, Rolls-Royce, or Vetter, as well as church groups, came together to reflect on the past, engage in dialogue, and look ahead.
Action on the Grounds: From Corporate Runs to International Youth Tournaments
Things got athletic at the ZF Company Run, where nearly 9,000 runners took on a 5.5-kilometer course. In the finish area, the grounds transformed into a lively after-run zone with a DJ, upbeat energy, and plenty of good vibes – a yearly highlight for many companies in the region.
Another sporting highlight was the MTU Cup. The international U-15 football tournament brought young talents from renowned clubs such as FC Barcelona, FC Chelsea, and FC Bayern Munich to Friedrichshafen. More than 10,000 football fans followed the exciting matches in an electrifying atmosphere.
Discover, Tinker, Explore: Experience Fairs for All Ages
For those who love to play, Spiel doch! offered a unique meeting point. A total of 6,800 visitors of all ages tried out new and classic board and card games presented by 45 exhibitors.
But it wasn’t just game enthusiasts who got their money’s worth—there was also plenty to discover for tinkerers, hobbyists, and model builders. At Faszination Modellbau, a world centered around precision and creativity unfolded among model railways, RC vehicles, steam engines, ships, and aircraft models.
Another highlight was the dinosaur exhibition “Kingdom of the Dinosaurs”, which delighted dino fans of all ages over Christmas 2025 and into the new year. Life-size dinosaurs—some of them even touchable—along with dino feedings and excavation activities created a special experience for adventurers big and small.
37
Gastveranstaltungen
92.000
Besucherinnen und Besucher
1.590
Aussteller
More Than Space & Square Meters: Why Messe Friedrichshafen Becomes a Meeting Place for So Many Worlds
The year 2025 impressively demonstrated that the possibilities at Messe Friedrichshafen extend far beyond the traditional function of a trade fair venue. Here, families, children, explorers, technology and sports enthusiasts, outdoor communities, companies of all sizes, industry decision-makers, and faith communities come together. The diversity of formats – from TV shows and trade or public fairs to corporate events, running competitions, and congresses – reveals the full potential of the grounds.
This variety creates a clear advantage for organizers: the exhibition center can adapt to new ideas within a short time; spaces transform into stages, meeting areas, or experiential worlds. Existing infrastructure is used in such a way that it blends almost naturally into each event concept. Whether a compact conference or a large-scale event – every format is given a setting in which it feels coherent and can be implemented smoothly.
On behalf of the entire Guest Events Team, we would like to thank all organizers, exhibitors, and visitors who brought Messe Friedrichshafen 2025 to life.
Are you looking for a versatile location for your next major event? We’d be happy to hear from you!