Visionary, focused and dynamic – from 22 to 25 October 2024, Orgatec impressively demonstrated what the working world of tomorrow will look like. With a newly structured hall layout, theme-specific "focus areas" and the Work Culture Festival, Orgatec confirmed its role as the leading international trade fair. 729 exhibitors from 40 countries presented innovations and visions for modern working environments across 140,000 square metres. Around 50,000 trade visitors from 126 countries used the industry platform to make valuable contacts, develop new business relationships and gather inspiration. Orgatec thus recorded significant visitor growth compared to the 2022 edition – a strong sign of the relevance of the trade fair in challenging times such as these.

"Working closely with our partner, the Industry and Working Environment Association (IBA), we've established Orgatec as the go-to destination for everyone shaping the future of work. The impressive visitor growth is a testament to this leading trade fair's international reach and relevance. It reinforces what we know: interior design trade fairs thrive in Cologne – and when we collaborate, the results speak for themselves," said Gerald Böse, Chairman of Koelnmesse's Management Board.

Helmut Link, Chairman of the IBA, adds: "The new trade fair concept has been a complete success! With the Work Culture Festival, Orgatec has transformed itself into a real industry spectacle. The success of Orgatec 2024 sends a clear signal: a strong trade fair is important for our industry, especially in challenging economic times. A great event is created when the association works in partnership with its manufacturers and the trade fair, and when the needs of the target groups – architects, HR, industry, services, to name but a few – are known and kept in mind. Orgatec 2024 presented not only the latest products, but also the urgently needed concepts for working environments of the future."

Orgatec 2024 impressed with a newly designed trade fair format that focused on specific areas and offered visitors insights into the most important trends and developments in the world of work. Interactive areas highlighted topics such as the circular economy, augmented reality, hybrid workspaces, sustainable material technologies and smart building management solutions, showcasing practical and economically viable approaches for the workplace of tomorrow. Exhibitors positioned themselves around the highlight areas to present their product innovations and concepts related to the respective focus topic.

A special highlight of the trade fair was the Work Culture Festival, organised in close cooperation with the IBA, the conceptual sponsor of Orgatec, which took place for the first time. With over 100 international speakers from the fields of architecture, design, new work and trend research, the festival provided valuable impetus for the transformation of the world of work. The focus was on three central themes – TEAM, IMPACT and LIFE – whose presentation and discussion provided comprehensive insights into the design of productive, healthy and sustainable working environments.

Renowned experts such as Sascha Lobo, Jette Hopp and Sabine Marcelis shared their views on current challenges in inspiring keynotes and panel discussions. In addition, prominent personalities, including Smudo and Ralf Rangnick, contributed their own cross-industry ideas for the future, opening up new perspectives. Another new feature was the "Hybrid Interior Design" format. While the trade fair focused primarily on the future of the workplace, this part of Orgatec took a broader approach in its concept and selection, offering space to leading companies that combine residential, hospitality and office furnishings in their collections. Premium brands presented their new designs here on round "circle" areas and in gallery-like stands.

Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse, sums up: "After four successful days at the fair, one thing is clear: this year's Orgatec was the strongest ever in terms of content! Together with the IBA, we have transformed the fair into a dynamic theme hub that both informs and inspires. Orgatec, as a business festival for the future of work, shows what trade fairs of the future can look like: inspiring, experience-oriented and highly efficient." The next Orgatec will take place from 27 to 30 October 2026.

www.orgatec.de