Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann’s contract is extended early – board of directors cites success and continuity

Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann’s contract has been extended early for five additional years until 2018. Although the next contract negotiations would have taken place in 2013, Andreas Brand, Mayor of the City of Friedrichshafen and chairman of the board of Messe Friedrichshafen, hoped to send “a signal of continuity for the future” together with the board of directors and shareholders.

“This early extension of Wellmann’s contract not only validates the excellent job the CEO and the entire Messe Friedrichshafen team have done, but also provides a reliable outlook for the future of the exhibition venue in Friedrichshafen for all its business partners, exhibitors and attendees. The company’s strategy is oriented toward the long term, and the team, headed by the CEO as well as the project and department managers, is a reliable and consistent partner for its customers,” says Mayor Andreas Brand on the board’s unanimous decision to extend Wellmann’s contract.

“I’m very happy with this decision, which clearly shows that the team is doing a successful and reliable job, and is also well prepared for the future. And personally, I’ve found my home here on Lake Constance,” says Klaus Wellmann, who took over the position at Messe Friedrichshafen in April 2006. Previously, Wellmann, who is 47 years old and has a degree in business management, worked at the exhibition venue in Cologne.

Klaus Wellmann continues to view his role as CEO as a major challenge, since Messe Friedrichshafen has achieved a strong position in the trade show business with its national and international exhibitions in the past few years. “Messe Friedrichshafen is a well-known and respected player in the highly competitive trade show market,” says Wellmann. “Our motivated team, the modern exhibition grounds and an attractive offering of trade shows all make for an optimistic outlook for the future.”

Messe Friedrichshafen organizes over 55 different trade shows, regional exhibitions and guest events annually. Over 700,000 visitors, 7800 exhibitors from 59 countries, and 5000 journalists come to Friedrichshafen each year, making the exhibition venue a global brand and further raising the positive image of the city, which is known for its exhibitions and Zeppelins. What’s more, Messe Friedrichshafen also has positive secondary effects on employment in the region. With immediate revenues of at least 25 million euros annually, a capacity of 85,000 square meters of exhibition space across 12 exhibition halls, and 12,000 square meters of space on the open-air grounds, the company is competitive on the international market.