SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Jan. 09, 2025 – The World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, is fast approaching! Opening its doors on April 13th, 2025, under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," the Expo will showcase innovative solutions to global challenges from around 150 participating countries for six months, concluding on October 13th, 2025. Over 28 million visitors are expected, with 90 percent coming from Japan.
Koelnmesse: Orchestrating Germany's Expo Presence
A highlight of the Expo will be the German Pavilion, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The organization and operation of the pavilion are in the experienced hands of Koelnmesse GmbH. This marks their fourth Expo involvement this millennium, following successful contributions in Aichi 2005, Shanghai 2010, and Dubai 2020.
"We have been preparing for this special event since 2022," says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. "I am delighted that the Expo, and with it the German Pavilion, will be celebrating its grand opening in 100 days. As Koelnmesse, we are proud and excited to contribute our expertise and comprehensive Expo experience to this World Expo."
Circular Economy Takes Center Stage
With its theme of "Circular Economy," the German Pavilion presents forward-looking approaches to sustainable construction and resource conservation. The circular buildings made of wood, steel, and innovative building materials symbolize sustainability and innovation – they are not only exhibition space but also exhibits themselves, demonstrating circular construction principles.
A Strong Team in Osaka
A 100-strong team is preparing for the opening of the German Pavilion. Koelnmesse organized the recruitment of this international team, which covers 15 languages. "Our team has demonstrated exceptional intercultural skills and strong project management in recent years," says Böse. "Working with an organizer on the other side of the world, in a different time zone, can be challenging. But it's no problem for us: Koelnmesse has been mastering such challenges for over 100 years."
Pavilion Director Christopher Hecker and parts of his team will move to Osaka shortly to coordinate the remaining work. They are responsible for the complete preparation of on-site operational procedures, supporting the content development of the pavilion, public relations, and ultimately, the on-site operation of the pavilion.
In March, all other employees will relocate to Japan, comprising 73 women and 27 men, to receive intensive training on the pavilion's content and their respective tasks before the Expo begins. The goal is clear: to offer all visitors an exciting and unforgettable time in the German Pavilion from day one.
Immersive Exhibition and Architectural Marvel
Construction of the pavilion is nearly complete, and the installation of the immersive exhibition will begin soon. Conceived by the Cologne agency facts and fiction, the exhibition will inspire visitors with innovative technologies and engaging content. Together with GL events Live (Lyon) and LAVA Architects (Berlin), an architectural and design concept was developed that combines sustainability and modernity.
Koelnmesse's Longstanding Presence in Japan
Koelnmesse has been active in Japan since December 2005, when it established its Japanese subsidiary. The seven employees are looking forward to celebrating the subsidiary's 20th anniversary in 2025. With three Japanese events – ISM Japan, Anuga Select Japan, and ORGATEC Japan – they have built a successful trade fair business locally.
About the German Pavilion:
Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Koelnmesse GmbH is responsible for the organization and operation of the German Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. The concept, planning, and implementation are being handled by the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Pavillon Expo 2025 Osaka," a consortium of facts and fiction (Cologne) and GL events Live (Lyon) with support from the Japanese branch. Facts and fiction is responsible for the content concept, exhibition, and media design, while GL events Live and Japan are responsible for the construction. Laumann / Scheßl / Weismüller are providing construction supervision for the project. The architecture and spatial concept are by LAVA Architects (Berlin). The cultural program "Culture Connect" is the responsibility of the Frankfurt agency VOSS+FISCHER, together with culture and media manager Mike P. Heisel. The pavilion's restaurant and shop are operated by 78degrees.
About Koelnmesse:
Koelnmesse has around 1,100 employees. As a city trade fair company in the heart of Europe, it operates the third-largest exhibition grounds in Germany and is among the top ten in the world, with approximately 400,000 m² of hall and outdoor space. Koelnmesse organizes and manages around 80 trade fairs, guest events, and corporate events annually in Cologne and key markets worldwide. Its portfolio reaches over 43,100 exhibiting companies from 125 countries and around two million visitors from more than 200 nations. Koelnmesse is investing around €1 billion in the future of its exhibition center by 2040 with the most extensive investment program in its history. In 2024, Koelnmesse celebrated its 100th anniversary – 100 years of bringing people and markets together worldwide, and 100 years of constantly reinventing itself with a visionary spirit.