denkmal and MUTEC 2026 impress with growth, international reach and young audiences

“denkmal and MUTEC are the central meeting places for their respective sectors. The growing number of exhibitors and the international participation from 34 countries demonstrate Leipzig’s importance as a place for exchange on cultural heritage, its preservation and its communication,” says Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe. “The halls made one thing clear: this is where professionals from across Europe and beyond come together to share knowledge, make connections and develop solutions for the future. Linguistic and cultural diversity was palpable everywhere.”

Under the patronage of UNESCO, denkmal reaffirmed its standing as Europe’s leading trade fair for conservation, restoration and old building renovation. Alongside established topics ranging from restoration and craftsmanship to building in existing structures, digitalisation and climate protection, the new Archaeology exhibition area in particular set important accents. It brought together professionals from archaeological heritage conservation, research, planning and infrastructure projects, highlighting the growing role of archaeological investigations in the energy transition.

“With the new Archaeology exhibition area, we are now reaching a significantly broader audience,” says Sascha Piffko, Managing Director of SPAU GmbH. “The response has been excellent, and we have already made new contacts and initiated joint projects.”

International perspectives and strong response at denkmal

International contributions also shaped denkmal. Greenland’s presence and discussions on the connections between the Moravian Church community and Nuuk opened up new perspectives on cultural heritage and international networks. The “European Mosaic of Heritage Practitioners” also brought traditional craft techniques from ten European regions to Leipzig.

Youri Creutzberg, Managing Director of BENGglas, travelled from the Netherlands to Leipzig for denkmal for the first time. “We have already exhibited at various construction trade fairs in Germany. However, denkmal reaches our target groups particularly well. Here, we meet architects, glaziers, carpenters and professionals who are specifically involved in the renovation of historic buildings. Visitor numbers are very good and we are having many interesting conversations,” he says, adding: “A return in two years is therefore very likely.”

Rüdiger Lugert, CEO of the Bavarian company KEIMFARBEN GmbH, confirms the international character of denkmal: “denkmal has become very international – we even had visitors from Australia. Its international reach is particularly visible in the strong presence of participants from Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states.”

MUTEC as a gateway to new markets and personal exchange

MUTEC further expanded its role as an international trade fair for museum and exhibition technology. Trade visitors learned about solutions for collection management, storage facilities, exhibition design, digital interpretation, accessibility and sustainable museum work. Its broad programme of presentations, workshops and practical formats provided space for discussion and hands-on experience from everyday museum practice.

“The trade fair offers us an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues from the museum sector, make new contacts and strengthen existing partnerships. The high quality of the conversations is particularly valuable to us,” says Anastasia Ziegler, Managing Director of ICOM Germany. Looking ahead to 2028, she adds: “We have become regular participants at MUTEC and always enjoy returning to Leipzig.”

“MUTEC was once again a very successful trade fair for us this year. For many years, it has been an important platform for the German Museums Association to exchange ideas with other stakeholders in the museum sector and maintain existing contacts,” says Tina Altmayer, Deputy Managing Director of the German Museums Association. “Our panels and talks attracted considerable interest and were very well attended. Overall, we are therefore drawing an entirely positive conclusion.”

“Germany is still a relatively new market for us,” says Jay Bown, Principal & Managing Director of Flying Fish Exhibits, Australia. “We are very satisfied with our first appearance at the trade fair and are convinced that interest will continue to grow as awareness increases. We definitely intend to return in two years.”

denkmal Gold Medals and MUTEC Award honour outstanding achievements

Through its award ceremonies, the combined event recognised outstanding achievements across the sectors. Five exhibitors received the denkmal Gold Medal, while the Confédération des Compagnonnages Européens was awarded a special jury prize. The MUTEC Award was presented jointly to three exhibition projects from Bern, Dresden and Hamburg. The awards reflected the breadth of the trade fairs: from safeguarding craft knowledge and developing innovative technologies for heritage conservation to sustainable, inclusive and compelling exhibition design.

The next denkmal will take place in Leipzig from 9 to 11 November 2028. MUTEC will be held in parallel from 9 to 10 November 2028.