October slot will boost international presence and visitor attendance: INTERFORST to take place in the fall

The next INTERFORST will be held at the Munich exhibition center from October 15 to 18, 2026. By moving from the traditional July slot to the fall, Messe München is responding to the wishes of large sections of the industry. At the same time, the opening hours have been adjusted and the price structure kept stable in order to provide the best conditions for exhibitors and visitors.

October slot boosts international participation

One of the main reasons for shifting the dates is to boost the number of international visitors. In important markets like Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, July falls during the vacation season, which has made participation difficult up to now. Many trade visitors in other countries also believe that it’s easier to fit October into their business processes. The new slot in October therefore provides better conditions for a stronger international presence. In addition, it also offers all national target groups a specific and plannable opportunity to take part in the trade fair, and ensures more pleasant weather conditions compared to the hot July at the last event.

“The new slot is our response to the wishes expressed by a large part of the industry. The aim is to further develop INTERFORST in the long term and tailor it even better to the needs of our international and national visitor groups,” emphasizes Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, CEO of Messe München.

From an industry perspective, the changes are absolutely positive, as Ralf Dreeke, Chairman of the INTERFORST Advisory Board, confirms: “The new October slot enables both trade visitors and exhibitors from Germany and abroad to better integrate INTERFORST into their annual planning. That not only encourages international participation, but also enhances the overall quality of trade fair contacts. It is also a clear signal for a strong INTERFORST in the future at the trade fair location in Munich.” And Gert Unterreiner, Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board, adds: “The new dates and the adapted trade fair concept benefit the entire industry. They promote practical exchange and strengthen the relevance of INTERFORST as a leading trade fair.”

Changed opening hours and new schedule structure

INTERFORST 2026 will take place for the first time from Thursday to Sunday. The new opening hours from 09:00 to 17:00 apply uniformly for all four days of the trade fair and enable a clear and efficient daily structure for exhibitors and visitors.

Price structure remains stable—new demonstration options right at the stand

The square meter prices for exhibitors remain unchanged compared to INTERFORST 2022. One important new feature concerns the demonstration areas, which will be integrated directly into the exhibition stands in the future. That will ensure more practical relevance and facilitate dialog between trade visitors and exhibitors.

Family day on Sunday supplements trade fair concept

Sunday is especially designed as a “family day” with a family ticket. The aim is to give young talent and interested families easier access to the industry and offer them an attractive trade fair experience.