HANNOVER MESSE 2026: How industry masters change
Industry is facing a historic transformation – driven by global competition, rising costs and artificial intelligence. HANNOVER MESSE 2026 shows how companies can turn these challenges into opportunities. With a new thematic structure, optimized visitor navigation, expanded networking options, and a strong focus on artificial intelligence, the show provides even greater value and a more targeted experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.
Global competition, rising cost pressure and the dynamics of artificial intelligence (AI) present industry with its biggest transformation challenge yet. In this phase of change, companies in the manufacturing sector need a platform to showcase innovation, share knowledge and highlight best practices. HANNOVER MESSE 2026 takes on precisely this role, demonstrating how automation, digitalization, energy systems, and research can work together to ensure competitiveness.
A new thematic area focuses on production technologies for the defense sector, with exhibitors showcasing specific solutions to help defense manufacturers scale up production in the shortest possible time without compromising on security.
“At HANNOVER MESSE, attendees from industry learn how companies can succeed in this phase of rapid industrial transformation,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG. “From mechanical engineering to the automotive and electrical industries, decision-makers find solutions here that drive efficiency, sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness. In short: HANNOVER MESSE highlights the path to the automated, digital, and AI-driven factory.”
Around 4,000 companies from the electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, digital, and energy sectors present solutions for manufacturing and energy supply of today and tomorrow – with AI playing a key role.
“AI is the decisive technological lever of our time, and opens up new opportunities for industrial companies of all sizes,” says Köckler. “The show offers attendees hands-on AI applications and direct insights into how AI can boost productivity.”
AI is a common thread running through all exhibition areas and plays a central role at virtually every exhibit. This offering is complemented by AI tours, masterclasses, forums, and networking events organized by HANNOVER MESSE.
The exhibiting companies include global tech giants such as AWS, Microsoft, SAP, Schneider Electric and Siemens, as well as technology leaders from the SME segment, for example Beckhoff, Festo, HARTING, ifm, LAPP, Phoenix Contact, Rittal, Schaeffler, and SEW. Prominent research institutes such as the Fraunhofer and KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) outline the industrial solutions of tomorrow, while more than 300 startups from various technology fields showcase innovations with disruptive potential.
New thematic structure and optimized visitor guidance
A key innovation is the realigned thematic structure and new hall layout. For attendees, this means more direct orientation; for exhibitors, greater visibility in the relevant environment.
Automation and digitalization are closer together, both in the halls and in terms of content. In doing so, HANNOVER MESSE reflects a clear trend, namely the increasing convergence of software and hardware – from AI-controlled robots and data-driven manufacturing right through to digitalized supply chains. The updated thematic structure is divided into three main exhibition areas: Automation & Digitalization, Energy & Industrial Infrastructure, and Research & Technology Transfer.
“The new layout gives visibility to what has long been reality in factories: processes and technologies are no longer separate, but interconnected,” explains Köckler.
New networking formats for more business contacts
Besides the new hall layout, HANNOVER MESSE 2026 offers new knowledge-sharing and networking formats, delivering even greater depth of content. This allows experts and users to exchange ideas on specific challenges and their solutions in a hands-on way. From master classes and expert forums to matchmaking and the Center Stage, the new offerings cement the show’s role as a central hub for business, innovation and networking.
The Center Stage brings together leading minds from industry, politics and science. Through keynotes and panel discussions, it addresses the major questions of our time: How can we achieve the breakthrough to carbon-neutral production? What role does AI play in industrial value creation? And how can Europe and its partners secure their technological sovereignty?
On stage, companies from the automotive, food, furniture, and chemical industries, among others, provide insights into their factories – demonstrating how they conceptualize and successfully implement automation, digitalization and energy efficiency in their manufacturing operations.
New thematic area: Defense Production Park
The new Defense Production Park demonstrates how modern technology meets the requirements of security-critical manufacturing while remaining highly scalable. Companies in the defense industry face challenges similar to other industrial sectors, but the new geopolitical era demands they rapidly scale up their capacities in the shortest of time. This new exhibition theme focuses on how companies can achieve this without compromising their security and quality.
Köckler: “With the Defense Production Park, we are for the first time creating a dedicated platform to demonstrate how automation, digitalization and scalability interact in this sensitive environment.”
Partner country Brazil: A strategically important growth partner
Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, takes center stage at HANNOVER MESSE 2026. The country offers vast potential – from green energy and raw materials right through to a fast-growing industrial market. More than 1,500 German companies are already active there, accounting for around ten percent of Brazil’s industrial output.
“Working with Brazil goes beyond trade – it is a strategic partnership,” says Köckler. “In times of global tension, dependable partners are all the more essential. HANNOVER MESSE is the ideal platform to strengthen these ties.”
