The central green platform

IPM Essen attracted almost 40,000 visitors this year. This means that visitor numbers remain slightly below those of the previous year, when Messe Essen reported well over 40,000 trade visitors.

In contrast, the number of exhibitors rose in 2026, by 3 percent to 1,476 companies. The final report states that this was perceived by the industry as a clear sign of confidence and relevance. The return of individual companies also underscored the trade fair's appeal as an international business platform. According to a survey, more than 85 percent of exhibitors intend to participate again.

“IPM Essen is the central and international platform for orientation, exchange, and future solutions,” summarizes Oliver P. Kuhrt, Managing Director of Messe Essen. And Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf, President of the Central Horticultural Association and the North Rhine-Westphalia Horticultural Association, says: “IPM Essen has once again proven itself to be a showcase for the green industry – and at the same time a central meeting place and marketplace for gardeners from all over the world. Here, we have once again seen how innovatively horticulture is responding to current challenges.”

Among other things, the organizers emphasize the international character of the trade fair. According to the visitor survey, 41 percent traveled from abroad. Among the foreign trade visitors, the Netherlands was the strongest visitor group, followed by Italy and other European markets such as Czechia, Belgium, France, and Romania. Great Britain/Northern Ireland, Spain, and the USA were also among the most important countries of origin.

The IPM Discovery Center once again proved to be a magnet for buyers from DIY stores, garden centers, and food retailers. This year, it once again showcased real-life POS situations designed to inspire sales-promoting customer approaches.

The central theme of peat-reduced and environmentally friendly substrates was not only present at the exhibitors' stands at IPM: on the Tuesday of the fair, the first “round table” kicked off discussions on phasing out peat use and possible alternatives. At a meeting of the green associations, Silvia Breher, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, also answered questions from participants.

Other focal points of the trade fair were climate-resilient plants and the transformation of communication and sales—among other things, there was a separate stage for the topic of social media marketing. The next IPM will take place from January 26 to 29, 2027, at Messe Essen. You can read more about IPM Essen in the upcoming issue of the diy trade magazine