Messe Düsseldorf Responds to Ukraine Crisis
On March 10, 2022, Messe Düsseldorf (official site) announced that it would suspend all business activities in Russia until further notice. The Supervisory Board cited the escalating events in Ukraine as the reason for the decision. At the same time, Messe Düsseldorf opened its fairgrounds to host Ukrainian refugees, turning part of its exhibition space into emergency accommodation.
The suspension also covers the activities of Messe Düsseldorf Moscow, the group’s Russian subsidiary. Dr. Stephan Keller, Lord Mayor of Düsseldorf and chairman of the Supervisory Board, emphasized that the city stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and that the decision aligns with Düsseldorf’s earlier move to freeze its city partnership with Moscow. As a subsidiary of the city, Messe Düsseldorf now reflects that position by halting its Russia‑related trade fair activities.
Company Values and Event Impact
CEO and president Wolfram N. Diener stressed that current events fundamentally oppose the company’s mission to create open, international marketplaces for free and cross‑border exchange. Messe Düsseldorf promotes intercultural and economic connection, so it chose to align its actions with those core values. The next edition of wire Moscow, scheduled at Krasnaya Presnya in summer 2023, therefore faces direct impact from this suspension.
Emergency Shelter for Ukrainian Refugees
By March 1, Messe Düsseldorf had already set up around 1,000 cots in Hall 6 to accommodate Ukrainians who fled the war. All available beds filled on the same day. Many Messe Düsseldorf employees volunteered on short notice to build the shelter quickly and support the city’s Office for Migration and Integration. Diener explained that the team felt deeply moved by the fate of the refugees and viewed hosting them as a matter of course.
Hall 6, with more than 25,000 sq m of space, now functions as a temporary shelter. Working with the German Red Cross and the Düsseldorf Fire Department, the Messe installed approximately 2,500 meters of partition walls to divide the space into smaller rooms. Hall 6 offers its own changing rooms and 40 showers, supported by additional external shower containers. Catering partner Stockheim provides meals for the refugees, and the venue offers free Wi‑Fi so people can stay in contact with their families and follow developments in Ukraine.
On LinkedIn, the initiative received strong positive feedback from the exhibition community and beyond. One commenter, Sebastian K. of QUICKFairs, summed up the sentiment with a brief message: “Make fairs, not war.”
