Messe Düsseldorf Asia, a world-leading trade fair organizer, has unveiled its new “Messe Düsseldorf for Asia” branding and launched the “MEDICARE ASIA” medical network. Reinforcing Thailand’s position as a key industrial and MICE hub in ASEAN, the company is preparing an impressive lineup of nine major industry trade fairs scheduled between May and September 2025 at BITEC Bangna, catering to the burgeoning demand and growth across the region’s industrial sectors.
Bangkok, Thailand – Amidst the rapidly changing economic dynamics of the Asian region, Messe Düsseldorf, one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers based in Germany, has announced a significant strategic direction to reaffirm its commitment to the Asian market and strengthen Thailand’s position as a crucial industrial and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) hub for the ASEAN region. This involves preparations for an extensive series of nine major international trade fairs throughout 2025.
Launching “Messe Düsseldorf for Asia” and “MEDICARE ASIA” to Embrace Growth
A key first step is the organizational restructuring and the introduction of the new brand identity, “Messe Düsseldorf for Asia” (MDfA). This initiative unites the network of subsidiaries across China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia under one coordinated structure, headquartered regionally in Singapore. This restructuring aims to increase operational agility, respond more swiftly to evolving market needs, and foster closer collaboration among the Asian offices.
Mr. Gernot Ringling, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia (MDA), commented on the region’s significance: “Asia has long been an essence of Messe Düsseldorf’s global trade fair network. We feel this is the powerhouse for the next decades, the economic powerhouse. The establishment of Messe Düsseldorf for Asia signifies our plan to further strengthen our footprint in Asia, and also to become a bit more independent from the HQ. As we all know, all business is local, so we want to focus more on Asia here.”
Concurrently, the company launched “MEDICARE ASIA,” a specialized exhibition network dedicated to medical technology, healthcare innovation, and rehabilitation. This network will function as a Competence Center, nurturing and driving the growth of related trade fairs across Asia, including MEDICAL FAIR (medical technology and healthcare solutions), MEDICAL MANUFACTURING (materials, components, advanced device production), and REHACARE (rehabilitation, prevention, integration, assistive care). With its base in Singapore, MEDICARE ASIA will strategically expand into key markets like India (Delhi, Mumbai) and China (Suzhou).
“We have so many medical shows now all over Asia, and that’s why we have to focus that even more, be a bit more independent from Düsseldorf. That’s why we founded MEDICARE ASIA,” Mr. Ringling added.
These strategic efforts contributed significantly to Messe Düsseldorf’s strong performance in 2024, achieving global revenue of approximately €392 million (approx. 15 billion baht) and profits of around €60 million (over 2.4 billion baht).
Why “Asia” and “ASEAN”? The New Powerhouse of the Century
The decision to allocate resources and restructure towards the Asian market is backed by compelling economic growth trends. Presentation data highlighted Asia’s emergence as a significant economic powerhouse, being the world’s second-most integrated trade region after the European Union. Intra-regional trade value accounted for nearly 57% in 2022, demonstrating the strength of the internal market.
Meanwhile, Southeast Asia and India are poised to benefit from shifting global trade dynamics, particularly trade tensions between China and the West, with ASEAN’s global trade projected to grow by US$1.2 trillion soon. Furthermore, Asia’s healthcare market is expected to surge, reaching US$5 trillion by 2030, contributing 40% to global healthcare sector growth. Key drivers include a rising middle class and an aging population expected to hit 1.3 billion by 2050, demanding significantly more healthcare services.
“These are mind-boggling numbers, and obviously, as it’s happening, a lot of international companies want to be part of it,” Mr. Ringling noted.
Within Asia, ASEAN is forecast to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030 and remains a strong manufacturing hub, benefiting from production shifts out of China. The region has the potential to generate up to US$600 billion annually in additional manufacturing output and create up to 140,000 jobs yearly. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into ASEAN reached a remarkable US$234 billion in 2023, with the electronics and electrical industry being the largest recipient.
Flagship “Thailand”: ASEAN’s Hub for Industry, MICE, and Investment
Within the dynamic ASEAN region, Messe Düsseldorf Asia identifies Thailand as its largest market and a strategic center. Thailand boasts the second-largest economy in ASEAN, is a fast-growing industrial and economic hub, ranked 25th globally for competitiveness (IMD 2024), and holds a respectable 41st position in the Global Innovation Index (2024). It serves as a second home for numerous global Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) and is a robust supply chain hub, particularly strong in automotive and parts, automatic data processing machines (computers), precious stones & jewelry, rubber products, and machinery – sectors where Messe Düsseldorf has significant exhibition expertise.
“Thailand and Indonesia are slated to be among the top choice favorable countries for foreign investors,” Mr. Ringling stated, adding that Thailand’s manufacturing sector contributes a remarkable 27% to its GDP, higher than many regional peers.
The Thai government’s focus on S-Curve industries (including comprehensive medical services, EVs, logistics, e-commerce), significant infrastructure investments (Map Ta Phut Port, Laem Chabang Port Phase 3, high-speed three-airport rail link expected to start construction in 2025), and policies promoting Thailand as Asia’s leading MICE destination further solidify the country’s appeal. Thailand’s robust MICE industry performance, evidenced by TCEB data showing over 25 million MICE travelers generating over 148 billion baht in income in 2024, and strong regional rankings (No. 2 in ASEAN for ICCA-qualified conventions, No. 1 in ASEAN for trade fair space by UFI in 2023), underlines its capacity to host large-scale international events.
28 Years of Commitment Leading to 9 Major Events in 2025
Messe Düsseldorf Asia is not new to the Thai market. The company held its first exhibition in 1997 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Bangna, marking 28 years of presence. “We are not new to Thailand; we are committed to Thailand, and we are very happy here. We faced so many different things over the years… coups, COVID, name it, we had it all. But the industry is resilient, and they come back strongly,” Mr. Ringling affirmed, emphasizing the long-term partnership.
Driven by confidence in the potential of the Thai market and the wider region, Messe Düsseldorf Asia is preparing an extensive lineup of nine major international trade fairs in 2025, all to be held at BITEC Bangna:
- May 14-17, 2025: Plastics & Rubber Thailand 2025 (Co-organised with Informa Markets) – The 2nd edition focusing on plastics and rubber manufacturing technology, themed “Unwrapping Net Zero | Create More Sustainable Future”.
- June 5-7, 2025: CIOSH Thailand 2025 (Co-organised with Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai and China Textile Commerce Association) – The 2nd edition of the international exhibition for occupational safety and health, focusing on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- September 10-12, 2025: MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2025 – The 11th edition and the largest ever, expanding to 3 halls and over 20,000 sqm. Expected to host 1,000+ exhibitors from 40 countries, with 20+ national pavilions. Highlights include the Community Care Pavilion, LaunchPad Zone, and Medical Manufacturing Zone.
- September 17-20, 2025: PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL 2025 (10th edition) – Co-organised with The Thai Packaging Association and The Thai Printing Association, showcasing printing and packaging technology. CorruTec ASIA 2025 (3rd edition) – Co-organised with the Thai Corrugated Packaging Association, focusing on corrugated packaging innovation. These two events run concurrently.
- September 17-19, 2025: wire Southeast Asia 2025 (16th edition) – Leading exhibition for wire and cable technology. Tube Southeast Asia 2025 (15th edition) – International showcase for tube and pipe technology. GIFA Southeast Asia 2025 (3rd edition) – Focusing on foundry technology. METEC Southeast Asia 2025 (3rd edition) – Presenting metallurgical technology. These four fairs will be held concurrently.
GITEX Enters Health Sector, Co-locating with MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND for the First Time
A special highlight for MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2025 is the announcement of a significant partnership: the inaugural co-location of “GITEX DIGI HEALTH BIOTECH Thailand.” Leveraging the global GITEX brand, this new event will showcase digital health and biotech solutions and innovations from leading tech companies and startups in fields like AI, Cybersecurity, Mobility, and more. Managed by KAOUN International, this co-location aims to create synergy and present a fresh dimension of health technology under the theme “Redefining Health Tech through Digital Innovation.”
“We are very happy to announce that KAOUN International will co-locate GITEX next to Medical Fair Thailand, which is somewhat a marriage made in heaven,” said Mr. Ringling.
Bringing the World to Thai Industry, Creating Business and Growth Opportunities
Messe Düsseldorf Asia emphasizes that its trade fairs in Thailand play a crucial role in “Bringing the world to Thailand,” acting as regional extensions of world-leading exhibitions in Germany. This makes global innovation, technologies, machinery, and solutions more accessible to Thai and ASEAN businesses, helping local industries raise standards, build resilience, and enhance global competitiveness, especially focusing on current industry demands for material quality, advanced technology, precision machinery, and safety.
“These trade fair series are set to draw a strong showing of international exhibitors and visitors including trade professionals and industry leaders across sectors, bringing together over 40,000 attendees from around the world. These events go far beyond immediate business transactions—they serve as platforms for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and cross-border collaboration. In doing so, they play an important role in advancing Thailand’s industrial capabilities, deepening global connections, and reinforcing the country’s standing as a competitive force in the international marketplace,” Mr. Ringling concluded.
The staging of these nine major trade fairs in 2025 clearly reflects Messe Düsseldorf Asia’s confidence in the potential of Thailand and the ASEAN region as a dynamic economic and industrial center, providing a vital platform to drive innovation and create business opportunities for entrepreneurs both locally and internationally.
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