Messe Frankfurt remains on course for success and benefits from its position on the global market with its event brands. As Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt, reported at the Corporate Press Conference: 'Even taking into account the current geopolitical climate, we expect sales in the current financial year to increase by more than 25 percent year-on-year to €770 million, with a substantial improvement in earnings as well. That would be the highest level of sales in Messe Frankfurt's history.'
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Strong business performance in 2023
Messe Frankfurt's strong performance can be seen in the final figures for 2023, where its operating business was complete and back to full strength again for the first time in three years. Sales went up faster than expected, rising by as much as a third year-on-year to €609 million (2022: €454.2 million).
Consolidated sales outside Germany were in the region of €275 million (2022: €140.2 million). This accounts for 45 percent of Group sales (2022: 31 percent). Approximately €334 million in sales revenue was generated in Germany (2022: €313.9 million). In line with the strong operational performance, this gives rise to an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of around €91 million (2022: approx. €41 million). In relation to sales revenue, this results in a positive EBITDA margin of 14.9 percent for the financial year (2022: 8.9 percent).
The 2023 result was also a significant improvement on the previous year's. Consolidated annual net income was around €19 million following a consolidated net loss of €-25.7 million in the previous year. A total of 349 events took place in the past financial year, with around 86,400 exhibiting companies and over 4.3 million visitors. On average, around 81 percent of companies exhibiting at Group events in Frankfurt in financial year 2023 came from outside Germany – a new record. By the same token, approximately 54 percent of retail buyers travelled to the events from outside Germany.
Outlook for financial year 2024
The focus for the current financial year 2024 is once again on profitable and faster growth. Messe Frankfurt's portfolio contains many strong event brands and, owing to the rotation of events, a series of Group flagship events will be held in close succession this year, both in Frankfurt and throughout the world.
At the same time, Messe Frankfurt is thinking and acting digitally and sustainably, and is integrating these two future components within its events and services. The company is clearly a driving force behind the move towards a more sustainable future for events.
More information:
Messe Frankfurt
www.messefrankfurt.com