About DMEXCO
Cologne is the home of DMEXCO, a two-day event for the digital economy that combines a trade exhibition with a large conference programme. It is organised by Koelnmesse, while the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) owns the brand and acts as its content partner.
The exhibition is divided into themed areas, or worlds, for agencies, commerce, media and technology, together with a dedicated start-up area. This structure helps visitors find relevant suppliers quickly and gives exhibitors a clear context for their offer. Exhibitors include advertising and marketing technology platforms, media owners, agencies, commerce and retail media providers, data specialists and major technology companies.
Visitors are decision makers from marketing, innovation, agencies, commerce, tech and media. Many come from Germany and its neighbours, but the event also draws an international audience. Content is a major draw: talks run across numerous stages throughout both days, covering subjects such as artificial intelligence, data, commerce and the future of advertising.
For exhibitors, DMEXCO is a chance to put a product or service in front of senior marketers and agency leaders within a short, intense window. Companies often use the event for launches, partnership announcements and client hospitality. Because the format is only two days long, the most successful exhibitors arrange meetings well in advance and treat the stand as a base for conversations rather than a static display.
Next edition
DMEXCO 2027: what to expect
DMEXCO 2027 takes place on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September 2027 in Halls 6 to 8 and the Congress Centre North at Koelnmesse, Cologne. The organiser reported more than 40,000 attendees at the 2026 event, with over 700 exhibiting partners, around 1,000 speakers and more than 230 hours of content across 17 stages.
Doors open at 9:00 on both days, closing at 18:30 on Wednesday and 17:30 on Thursday, so the second day is shorter. Enclosed or semi-private meeting space is often worth more than display area here, as partnership and pricing discussions are rarely held in the aisle. Placement within the relevant world, whether agencies, commerce, media or tech, also shapes who passes the stand.