Wähle dein passendes Messe-Set, ready to go
LED lightboxes for mobile trade fair stands, exhibition construction, and brand communication
Die neue LED Messewand für Messestände, Markenwelten & Co.
Design flexible exhibition stands and set dynamic accents with smart LED lighting contours
Mobile trade show counters and lowboards for exhibition construction, brand spaces, and promotion
Smart, lightweight and versatile unlit textile stretch frames
Super light LED light cubes and cubes LED light cubes
Smallest packing volume thanks to integrated transport system
The trade show floor of Modulap
Smart accessories for your mobile exhibition stand
Komplettiere deinen Messestand mit passenden Designmöbeln von HAY und PLANK
Trade fair appearances are a central part of the sales and marketing strategy for many companies. Trade fairs, congresses, and industry events are often the best way to gain a comprehensive market overview and to meet customers, suppliers, and decision-makers in person – even in the digital age. However, especially for small companies and those without prior trade fair experience, planning a trade fair appearance can be a challenge. In particular, unclear or unexpectedly high costs for booth design, booth rental, technology, and personnel can quickly call the appearance into question.
Yet small companies and trade fair newcomers can enter the trade fair world cost-effectively and with low risk. With a modular booth from Modulap, for example, you can realize a sustainable, professional booth on a small budget that is easy to transport, adapts to all booth situations, and grows with your business. Additionally, there are numerous support programs that specifically provide financial assistance to companies for trade fair appearances. The overview of support programs is not always simple. Therefore, we have compiled important information and tips on these support programs for trade fair booths below.
The best-known funding measure is the Young Innovators program from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The funding objective is the participation of young innovative companies in international leading trade fairs. It is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees and younger than 10 years, whose turnover or annual balance sheet total does not exceed 10 million euros. Support amounts to up to 60% of the booth costs for the first two trade fair appearances, and up to 50% from the third trade fair participation onwards. The funding amount is up to 7,500 euros per exhibitor and trade fair. Only participation in a joint booth organized by the trade fair organizer is subsidized.
The trade fairs for which participation in a joint booth can be subsidized are determined annually by the BMWK. Current information and the list of eligible trade fairs can be found on these pages:
Many federal states offer additional state subsidies, for example through their own ministries of economic affairs or regional development banks. Start-ups and innovative young companies especially benefit from these trade fair subsidies, typically in the form of grants for booth costs, marketing, organization, and travel expenses. Below you will find three exemplary programs.
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports SMEs with a branch or independent establishment in North Rhine-Westphalia. Annual turnover must not exceed 50 million euros for trade fairs within the EU and 10 million euros within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The appearance at the trade fair must clearly indicate that it is a North Rhine-Westphalian company. The grant amounts to up to 50% of eligible costs and a maximum of 7,500 euros per company per year. In justified cases, craft and other small businesses with up to 49 employees can also receive individual funding for trade fair participation abroad (including EU and EFTA).
With the joint booth "Bayern Innovativ," the state of Bavaria enables Bavarian companies, universities, institutes, and research facilities to have straightforward appearances at international leading trade fairs. Exhibiting companies receive, in addition to their own small booth module, an appropriate service package. The fee that participating companies must pay for a module in the joint booth ranges from €2,200 to €5,000 for startups and from €4,400 to €6,200 for established companies.
Baden-Württemberg particularly supports the internationalization of local start-ups. Not only are participations in trade fairs within the framework of the joint booths "THE LÄND" at international start-up events financially subsidized and organizationally supported, but also participations in international market development and delegation trips. The coordination of the trips, trade fair visits, and appearances is handled by the state partner Baden Württemberg International (BW_i). The participation fees range from 1,000 to 2,000 euros per trade fair, depending on the base price for a 5 sqm booth solution, with a maximum of three participants per trade fair.
Almost all federal states offer such programs to promote trade fair appearances, usually within the framework of joint booths. It is therefore worthwhile to contact the regional economic development agencies early. And one more tip: State funding can often be combined with federal funding.
If you are specifically looking for suitable trade fairs and funding opportunities for your company, it is worth taking a look at the Fair Finder from AUMA, the Exhibition and Trade Fair Committee of the German Economy. Here you can filter over 3,500 international trade fairs by industry, event date, and location, and at the same time see which funding options you can use for these fairs and events.
Plan early: Funding applications usually must be submitted several weeks or months before the start of the fair, sometimes already in the previous year.
Check eligibility for funding: Not every fair or company meets all requirements, so have your eligibility for funding confirmed early.
Submit complete documents: Missing information and proofs can delay or endanger the funding.
Use combinations: Some funding programs can be combined, so check and use the possibilities.
Seek advice: Chambers of industry and commerce (IHK) and regional economic promoters assist with selection and application.
A subsidized trade fair appearance sounds appealing, and participating in a shared booth can be a practical entry into the trade fair world, especially for young companies. However, a look at the examples above shows that participation in a subsidized shared booth is usually also associated with substantial costs. At the same time, the available booth and presentation space at a shared booth is often only a few square meters, and the design options are severely limited in the interest of a uniform booth appearance.
For startups and young companies that place value on a strong brand presence from the outset and those who require a more individual booth design, a mobile, modular trade fair booth can therefore be the optimal trade fair solution. With a trade fair booth from Modulap, you buy your booth only once and can use it to create your individual, professional brand world at all upcoming trade fairs and events. From a small promotion set to a complete trade fair booth with integrated screens, a cabin, and a meeting area, you thus leave a lasting impression at every trade fair.
