SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Jan. 29, 2025 – Koelnmesse and the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) have extended their contract for hosting DMEXCO, ensuring that Europe's leading event for digital marketing and technology will remain in Cologne for the long term.
Koelnmesse and BVDW Extend DMEXCO Partnership
This agreement solidifies Cologne's position as a hub for the digital economy and underscores the enduring success of DMEXCO. Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, expressed his enthusiasm for the extended partnership, stating, "The contract extension is a vote of confidence and lays the foundation for a successful future. It is also a positive impulse for Cologne as a business location and strengthens its position as a hotspot of the digital economy."
DMEXCO has been a cornerstone of the digital industry since its inception in 2009, providing a vital platform for marketing, data, and technology professionals to connect, learn, and shape the future of the digital landscape. In 2024, DMEXCO showcased the latest developments in the digital economy with over 850 international speakers and 680 exhibiting companies and partners, attracting more than 40,000 attendees from approximately 90 countries.
A Shared Vision for the Future of DMEXCO
Both Koelnmesse and BVDW are committed to evolving the DMEXCO format to reflect the growing relevance and diversity of the digital economy. Dirk Freytag, President of the BVDW, emphasized the importance of this long-term commitment: "First future, then history. As brand owner and specialist sponsor of DMEXCO, we look back on 15 successful years together with Koelnmesse. Together, we have developed DMEXCO into a leading event for the digital economy. The long-term contract extension underlines our confidence in continuing to develop the leading event together, to further sharpen its content, and to successfully shape the future.”
This continued partnership will further leverage the synergies between DMEXCO and Koelnmesse's broader portfolio of trade fairs. "DMEXCO is an important driving force and pacesetter for us," said Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse. "We reflect its content, specifically prepared, at other important events. We will now be able to continue to use this thematic networking effectively.”
The next DMEXCO will take place on September 17th and 18th, 2025 in Cologne. This announcement follows the recent news of the launch of DMEXCO ASIA, taking place in Singapore on October 8th and 9th, 2025, expanding the DMEXCO brand’s reach into the Asian market.
About Koelnmesse:
Koelnmesse employs around 1,100 people and is one of the world's top ten trade fair organizers, managing approximately 400,000 m² of hall and outdoor space. Each year, Koelnmesse organizes and hosts around 80 trade fairs, guest events, and corporate events in Cologne and key markets worldwide. Its portfolio reaches over 43,000 exhibiting companies from 125 countries and around two million visitors from more than 200 nations. Koelnmesse is investing around 1 billion euros in the future of its exhibition grounds by 2040 through a comprehensive investment program. In 2024, Koelnmesse celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of connecting people and markets worldwide.
About BVDW:
The German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) e.V. is the leading interest group for companies in the digital economy in Germany. It represents the interests of around 3,300 member companies from all sectors of the digital economy. The BVDW's mission is to promote the digital economy in Germany and to create optimal framework conditions for the success of its member companies.
For more information please visit.