Inside Exhibition
TR/EN
Articles· 13

Decision point: planning stand design, technical approval, shipping and vehicle access according to the rules of the exhibition grounds

Messe Köln Exhibition Grounds: Exhibitor and Visitor Guide

At the Messe Köln exhibition grounds, stand construction is governed by the Koelnmesse Technical Guidelines and by each fair's conditions of participation. Special structures, two-storey and mobile stands, outdoor structures and activity areas need approval; whether a stand needs it is checked in section 4.2 of the Technical Guidelines. The approval request is made through Delegatis, Koelnmesse's digital form platform, at least six weeks before build-up. Every vehicle entering the grounds during build-up and dismantling is registered in advance through the eSlot system (Technical Guidelines, sections 4.2 and 2.1; vehicle access).

The grounds comprise 284,000 m² of indoor space in 11 connected halls, plus 100,000 m² of outdoor space (hall and site plan).

Article date: 11 October 2026. The technical rules follow the Technical Guidelines dated July 2024; fair-specific data is marked with the fair's name and year. Fair dates and price lists for services are not included; links to the official pages are given instead.

How are the grounds and halls laid out?

The halls are numbered 1 to 11; some are divided into sections such as 1.2, 2.1, 3.2 and 11.3, and there is also the Confexhall. All of Halls 1 to 11 have sprinkler systems (Technical Guidelines, section 3.1). The hall plan is published as a PDF (hall plan); directions to the multi-storey fair building and the motorway connections are also given as separate PDFs (fair building entrance, motorway connections).

Floor load capacity differs from hall to hall (table 3.1.f):

  • Halls 6, 7, 8, 9: 50 kN/m²
  • Halls 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 10.1, 10.2, 11.1: 20 kN/m²
  • Confexhall: 17.5 kN/m²
  • Hall 11.2: 15 kN/m²
  • Hall 3.2: 10 kN/m²
  • Hall 11.3: 7.5 kN/m²
  • Boulevard: 5 kN/m²

On the Boulevard, which the table lists separately from the halls, forklift trucks may not be used; pallet jacks and industrial trucks have light-coloured plastic wheels, and the floor is protected with a cover under the load.

How do you get to the grounds, and where do you stay?

The Köln Messe/Deutz high-speed rail station is right next to the grounds (arrival by train). There is direct access from the motorway by car (arrival by car); for those flying in, Koelnmesse points to Cologne Bonn Airport (arrival by air).

On public transport, the line depends on the entrance (arrival page):

  • South Entrance: suburban lines S6, S11, S12 and S19 (Köln Messe/Deutz); underground and tram lines 1 and 9 (Köln Messe/Deutz Underground).
  • East, West and North Entrances: tram lines 3 and 4 (Köln Messe/Deutz).

A separate e-mail comes with the admission ticket; it is printed on A4, carried along, and is valid in the VRS network, 2nd class, for the duration of the fair. DB's IC, EC and ICE trains carry a surcharge, and this ticket is not valid on them.

For accommodation, Koelnmesse offers online booking in partner hotels; up to five rooms are booked this way (accommodation page). The THE TIRE 2022 and ISM Cologne exhibitor pages ask for a group request from six rooms upward; this rule belongs to those two fairs only (ISM exhibitor page).

What are the build-up, dismantling and vehicle access rules?

Build-up and dismantling periods vary from fair to fair and are given in the fair's conditions of participation. Work in the halls and outdoor areas proceeds during the general build-up and dismantling times; exceptions are announced to exhibitors in advance. During the fair, the halls are accessible from one hour before the fair opens until one hour after it closes; working outside these hours requires written permission from Koelnmesse (Technical Guidelines, section 1.2).

Vehicle access works as follows:

  • eSlot: during build-up and dismantling, the grounds are entered only in a reserved time slot. The NUNAV navigation app guides the driver directly to the loading point; no stop at the logistics building is needed (vehicle access page).
  • Additional rule on the ISM Cologne page (for ProSweets Cologne 2023, fair-specific): vehicles without an eSlot reservation are not admitted; on-site registration at the logistics centre in car park P22 is required (ISM eSlot page).
  • Speed and parking: the maximum speed on the grounds is 30 km/h (section 2.1). Parking vehicles, trailers and containers needs approval; a space in the logistics zone is reserved for a fee in the service shop (section 4.2.2).
  • Inside the halls and aisles: until 22:00 on the last build-up day, the halls and adjacent roads are cleared (section 2.1). A passage of at least 1.2 m stays open in the aisle; material takes up at most 0.9 m along the stand boundary (section 2.2.2).
  • Machinery and containers: cranes, forklifts and vehicles with a driver's seat are used only by Koelnmesse's contract partners. Empty containers may not be stored in the halls; the contract carrier offers storage (section 5.12).

What are the stand approval and technical rules?

The rules below come from the Technical Guidelines; section numbers are in brackets.

Which stands need approval?

Mobile stands, special structures, two-storey structures, cinema or auditorium areas, outdoor structures and activity areas need approval (section 4.2). The request is made with a digital form on the Delegatis platform, at least six weeks before build-up. The link to the form is sent to every exhibitor; a stand builder working on an exhibitor's behalf gets the link from the client, and approval takes effect with Koelnmesse's written reply (section 4.2.1).

For special structures, two-storey structures, cinemas or auditoriums, outdoor structures and activity areas, the following are also sent in German within the same period: a certified structural calculation to German standards, a description of the structure, drawings at 1:100 (plans, elevations, sections) and construction details at a larger scale. If a type test or test log book is submitted, the structural calculation and the description are not needed. The cost of the approval procedure is invoiced to the exhibitor or the stand builder.

Where is the stand height limit written?

The Technical Guidelines give no general height figure; the official stand height is written in each event's registration forms, and a structure above it needs Koelnmesse's approval (section 4.3). For example, the exhibitor pages of ISM Cologne and THE TIRE 2022 state a maximum of 4.50 m including advertising, and ask for plans to be sent six weeks before the fair for anything higher; this value belongs only to those two fairs (ISM exhibitor page, THE TIRE 2022 exhibitor page). Structures on the boundary with a neighbouring stand are designed neutrally above 2.50 m (section 4.3).

What limits apply to ceilings and suspension?

A stand must be open at the top so that the sprinklers are not obstructed (section 4.4.2):

  • What counts as an open ceiling: a ceiling counts as open if, horizontally, at most 50 per cent of the ceiling area is closed.
  • Stretched fabric ceilings: the fabric opening is at least 2 x 4 mm or 3 x 3 mm in the unstretched state; it is stretched horizontally and in one layer. Sprinkler suitability is shown by a fire-resistance certificate (B1, DIN 4102; at least C-s2,d0, EN 13501-1) or by a VdS certificate.
  • The 30 m² limit: fabric may be stretched over fields of up to 30 m² without additional measures. Larger fields need additional structural support.
  • Suspension from the hall ceiling: only Koelnmesse hangs objects, using the fittings provided for this purpose and the mounting equipment it supplies. The overall height and permissible loads are written on Form T.03, the Koelnmesse form that gives the suspension limits (section 4.7.5).

What is required for a two-storey structure?

A two-storey stand needs the approval of the responsible Koelnmesse project management, and these structures can be built in Halls 1 to 11 (section 4.9). The limits:

  • Clear height: at least 2.30 m on each storey.
  • Floor load: 3.0 kN/m² for meeting or customer areas; 5.0 kN/m² for free exhibition and sales areas.
  • Railings and stairs: railings take 1.0 kN/m, stairs 5.0 kN/m².
  • Fire protection: for a structure covering 50 to 100 m², a smoke alarm is fitted in the ceiling, connected to the Cologne fire brigade through Koelnmesse's system; above 100 m², a ceiling sprinkler system is also required.

What are the floor, material and fire rules?

  • Floor: the hall floor may not be painted or glued, and no anchors or fixings may be made in it (sections 4.7.3, 4.7.4).
  • Decoration material: at least class B1 (DIN 4102) or C-s2,d0 (EN 13501-1); Styrofoam (rigid polystyrene foam) is prohibited (section 4.4.1.1).
  • Welding, cutting, grinding: prohibited on the grounds unless a special permit is issued (section 4.4.1.10).
  • Open flames: fireplaces, stoves and similar fire loads, and demonstrations with open flames, are registered through Delegatis at least six weeks before the build-up period (section 4.4.1.10).
  • Fog machines and hazers: a written application to Koelnmesse is needed before the official build-up period (section 4.4.1.6).
  • Pyrotechnics: Koelnmesse's prior written approval is required; documents are sent at least 14 days before the show (section 4.4.1.4).
  • Smoking: prohibited outside designated areas, e-cigarettes included.

What is needed for electricity, gas, Wi-Fi and sound?

  • Electricity: supplied at 230 V single-phase and 400 V three-phase, 50 Hz; connections are made only by the electrical companies associated with Koelnmesse. On the last day the power is cut one hour after the fair ends (sections 3.1.1 and 5.3.1).
  • Gas: compressed or liquid gas needs Koelnmesse's written approval (section 5.7.1).
  • Wi-Fi: set up in the 2.4 GHz band (802.11 b/g/n), on channel 1, 5 or 9 with a 20 MHz width; registration is made at least four weeks before the fair (section 3.1.3).
  • Sound: machine and device noise stays below 70 dB(A) at the stand boundary (section 5.6).

How do Delegatis and the service shop work?

Delegatis is the platform on which Koelnmesse receives approval requests and notifications as digital forms; stand approval and open-flame notifications are made there, and the link is sent to every exhibitor (section 4.2.1).

Orders such as electricity, water, compressed air, parking and furniture are placed in the online service shop; each fair has its own shop address, for example service.ism-cologne.com for ISM Cologne. Stand security is also ordered under "Stand security" in the shop and is the exhibitor's responsibility (section 7.2.2). A free entry code is issued for stand staff and build-up crew according to stand size; additional passes are charged (according to the ISM Cologne and THE TIRE 2022 pages, fair-specific).

Stand packages are booked through Koelnmesse's stand configurator; according to the THE TIRE 2022 page, the area rent is only the price of the raw space. Koelnmesse's official service partners are listed on a separate page (service partners).

To whom are customs documents handed in?

Koelnmesse recommends that the customs formalities for exhibition goods are handled by its contract carrier; for shipments from abroad, the carrier's foreign representative takes them over. All customs and transport documents for goods arriving from abroad are handed to the contract carrier before the goods are delivered to the stand. Three copies of a proforma invoice in German are required for customs clearance (Technical Guidelines, section 5.12.1).

Goods cleared for temporary import are presented to customs for examination when they are sent back abroad or onward within Germany, and the carrier issues a transit document.

Is an appointment needed for a German fair visa?

According to the German Embassy in Ankara, fair visitors must always make an appointment. Stand-building staff need an appointment as well; the consulate accepts the application at an interview on the appointment date. The Embassy page gives information on appointment-free applications for exhibitors in a separate place; the same conditions appear on an exporters' association website that quotes a Ministry of Trade letter (quotation). Registration on the "business" waiting list through iDATA is requested for the visa (fair visa page).

Update (11 October 2026): According to a press release of the North Rhine-Westphalia state government dated 30 September 2026, from autumn 2026 the "Business Fast Track" visa procedure for business travel opens to member companies of the Turkish-German Business Council (Deutsch-Türkischer Wirtschaftsrat) within DEİK (press release). According to the German Embassy's Business Fast Track page, the procedure is open only to employees of eligible companies; the application is made by registering on the "Business Fast Track" waiting list through iDATA (Business Fast Track page, the page carries no date). Neither source gives a processing time or mentions family members, and the start date of the announced rollout is not given. This procedure is separate from the fair visa, and the fair visa page does not mention it.

As proof concerning the company that will exhibit, the Embassy page lists the exhibitor pass, the invoice showing the stand rent has been paid, and the fair's list of participants or a letter from the organiser. For staff assigned to build the stand, the contract signed between the exhibiting company and the company that will build or dismantle the stand is also requested. The visa fee exemption applies only to visas issued for the duration of the fair (build-up and dismantling included); a long-stay visa is charged. Exhibitors from countries that require a visa request an official invitation letter from Koelnmesse (visa support).

Does the Ministry of Trade give support, and what is the difference between organised and individual participation?

Under Article 7 of Decision No. 5973, the Ministry supports participation with a stand in fairs abroad (fair support); the covered fairs are in the support lists. The Circular defines two routes:

  • Fair organisation abroad: the Ministry's General Directorate of Exports sets the reviewing authority. The Circular uses "national participation organisation" for fairs where the General Secretariats of the exporters' associations (İBGS) are the organiser.
  • Individual participation: the İBGS the exhibitor belongs to concludes the application; if membership is not required, any İBGS.

On both routes the application is made through the Support Management System (DYS) within 3 months after the end of the fair; if the deadline is missed, the application file is not evaluated (Circular, Article 7). The ceilings change every year, so they are not given here.

Which tasks does Inside Exhibition carry out on the exhibitor's behalf at fairs abroad?

Inside Exhibition is an Istanbul-based company focused on the design, technical documentation and build of custom-designed exhibition stands, and has built a stand in Cologne. Build-up teams work on long-stay visas; the visas of the team assigned to each project are checked, and renewals are started in advance according to expiry dates. For unplanned situations, support comes from subcontractors abroad. These are the questions exhibitors put to Inside.

Who handles the approval drawing, the structural calculation and the correspondence?

For a stand that needs approval, the request is made on Delegatis at least six weeks before build-up. For special structures, two-storey structures, cinemas or auditoriums, outdoor structures and activity areas, the drawings and the structural calculation go with the request; a type test makes the structural calculation unnecessary. The Delegatis link comes from the exhibitor; Inside uploads the approval drawing and the structural calculation on the exhibitor's behalf.

Inside also carries out the correspondence concerning the stand infrastructure on the exhibitor's behalf. The team's documents and the technical dimensions of the stand are submitted to the technical office affiliated with the organiser and to the occupational safety offices; the documents and applications on the exhibitor portal are followed up. When the stand agreement is signed, the processes on the organiser's side are only at their starting point. Completing this work before build-up is meant to reduce the workload on the exhibitor's side.

"Our products will be there one day before the fair; can your team receive them?"

Yes. Inside receives the delivery of the products to be displayed at the exhibition grounds, so the exhibitor's representative does not need to be on site a day early just for this. Inside does not act as a carrier; the carrier's liability and any transport agreements with the organiser rest with the carrier and the exhibitor. At Cologne the customs documents are handed to the contract carrier, as described above. For the ATA Carnet and temporary import of the exhibitor's own products, Inside is not the contractor; its shipping and transfer process covers the stand materials of its own project.

"Our forwarding company will collect the products after the fair closes; can your team hand them over?"

Yes, if the exhibitor asks. At the end of the fair, the Inside team hands the remaining products to the carrier the exhibitor works with. The handover paperwork is collected and the handover is photographed; the documents reach Inside and are passed on to the exhibitor. This way, the exhibitor's representatives do not need to wait on the grounds after the fair closes.

Is there a team on site for assembling the products?

Yes. A team that Inside has formed itself, present on site for special jobs and requests, takes part in assembling the displayed products.

Where is the Inside team during the fair?

Once the stand has been handed over, the Inside team is on the grounds or close by for the duration of the fair; it does not stay inside the stand. When a request or a situation that needs intervention is reported through the communication channel, the team steps in: when a digital display on the stand stops broadcasting, when the grounds cause a power cut, or when a small intervention is needed. Depending on the time of day, the nature of the request and the status of the work, the intervention is made at that moment or after the fair has closed; checks after closing are part of this work. At Cologne, the halls are accessible until one hour after closing; working outside these hours requires written permission from Koelnmesse (Technical Guidelines, section 1.2).

What does a visitor need?

The grounds may only be entered with a valid admission ticket, which is shown on request. Children and adolescents up to 16 are admitted to events accompanied by an adult (house regulations; section 1.1). Visitor hours vary from fair to fair; tickets and hours are on each fair's own website.

Animals are not allowed, with an exception for guide and assistance dogs. Bicycles, scooters and similar devices are not allowed. Commercial photography and filming need Koelnmesse's prior written consent. Items found are handed in at the Messewache (security office), North or East. The visitor information system is Infoscout; staff at the information desks put visitors in touch with exhibitors, using the details exhibitors give in their registration forms, and the service is free of charge (section 7.1; Technical Guidelines).

Frequently asked questions

Where do you find the Messe Köln hall plan?

On Koelnmesse's hall and site plan page, and as a PDF (hall and site plan).

How do you get to Messe Köln?

The Köln Messe/Deutz station is right next to the grounds; there is direct access from the motorway by car, and for air travellers Cologne Bonn Airport is indicated (arrival page).

How does a lorry or vehicle enter Messe Köln?

During build-up and dismantling, only in a pre-reserved eSlot time slot; the NUNAV app guides the driver to the loading point (vehicle access page).

Where do you find a hotel for Messe Köln?

Koelnmesse offers online booking in partner hotels; up to five rooms are booked this way (accommodation page).

When is stand approval needed at Messe Köln?

For structures that need approval, the request is made on the Delegatis platform at least six weeks before build-up (Technical Guidelines, section 4.2.1).

Is an appointment needed for a German fair visa?

According to the Embassy, for visitors yes; for exhibitors, the page gives information on appointment-free applications elsewhere. Details are on the fair visa page. Stand-building staff need an appointment; the consulate accepts the application at an interview on the appointment date. For other grounds in Germany see the Messe Düsseldorf guide, the Messe Frankfurt guide, the Hannover Messe guide and the Messe Nürnberg guide; fairs held at Koelnmesse are in the trade fair calendar.

For other grounds in Germany see the Messe Düsseldorf guide, the Messe Frankfurt guide, the Messe Nürnberg guide, the Messe München guide, the Messe Stuttgart guide and the Hannover Messe guide.

Sources