Deutsche Messe is restructuring its organizational structure and setting up an independent business division for Hannover Messe. Since March 1, 2026, the world's leading industrial trade fair has been managed as a single organizational unit. The aim of the realignment is to strengthen the strategic development of the industrial trade fair, expand international market activities, and develop key technology topics in an even more targeted manner.
The new structure is intended to further expand Hannover Messe as a global platform for industrial innovation, digitalization, and sustainable value creation. At the same time, Deutsche Messe wants to focus more strongly on its activities in important future fields such as automation, energy, digitalization, and industrial innovations.
Christian Pfeiffer takes over management of Hannover Messe
Christian Pfeiffer will assume responsibility for the new “Hannover Messe & Partner Trade Fairs” business unit. The manager has more than two decades of experience in the international trade fair and sales business.
Pfeiffer previously headed Deutsche Messe's global sales activities. Among other things, he was responsible for international sales structures in around 150 countries and held management and board positions in various subsidiaries and affiliates of the company.
New structure bundles Hannover Messe's thematic areas
With the new organization, the event's central thematic areas will be consolidated into three strategically aligned departments in the future. The aim is to develop the most important industry and technology topics in a more targeted manner and position them internationally.
Automation and drive technology combined with robotics
The Automation & Drive Technology department is headed by Carolin Illig. This area focuses in particular on robotics, industrial automation, and drive technologies. Illig brings with her many years of experience in sales and the further development of these industrial sectors. Her main areas of activity include business development, process optimization, and the establishment of strategic cooperations within the industry.
Digitalization and energy systems as central themes
Hubertus von Monschaw is responsible for the Digitalization & Energy division. This division focuses on topics such as industrial digitalization, industrial IT, AI-based applications, platform technologies, and data ecosystems. In addition, energy generation, energy management, and sustainable energy systems play an important role in the future direction of Hannover Messe. Von Monschaw has held various management positions at the trade fair for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in developing technology-driven trade fair themes.
Innovation, Production, and Investment
The third department is entitled Innovation, Production & Investment and is headed by Kathrin Schmidt. Its main areas of focus include research and technology transfer, compressed air and vacuum technology, start-ups, foreign trade, and industrial supply solutions. Schmidt has extensive experience in international sales management and in managing global partner networks. She also played a key role in developing strategic partnerships in the context of Hannover Messe.
Hannover Messe to further strengthen its position as an international innovation platform
With its new organizational structure, Deutsche Messe is underscoring the strategic importance of its most important industrial event. In the future, Hannover Messe will be positioned even more strongly as an international platform for industrial innovation, transformation, and sustainable value creation.
By bundling the thematic areas and strengthening strategic management, Deutsche Messe aims to further advance the development of key industrial sectors and expand the international visibility of Hannover Messe in the long term.
