10.06.2009 Frankfurt to remain the capital of the international book trade

Messe Frankfurt and Frankfurt Book Fair renew contract through 2022

The Frankfurt Book Fair will continue to be held in the metropolis on the river Main.
In the Frankfurt "Römer" town hall, Petra Roth, Mayor of the City of Frankfurt, Michael von Zitzewitz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt, Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is a subsidiary of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association, and Prof. Dr. Gottfried Honnefelder, President of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association were pleased to announce today the renewal of the contract, thus securing the Book Fair's presence in Frankfurt through 2022.  

Mayor Petra Roth is convinced that the Book Fair belongs in Frankfurt: “Frankfurt continues to prove itself as the ideal venue for international flagship fairs. Considering its location at the heart of Europe and its outstanding infrastructure, featuring one of the world's largest airports, it is hard to imagine a better place for the Book Fair. Our state-of-the-art exhibition grounds also provide it with the perfect setting. The long-range continuation of the contract is a powerful commitment to this city of literature.” Prof. Dr. Honnefelder agreed, saying: “St. Paul’s Church and the Frankfurt Book Fair are located just a few steps from one another. Peace Prize and Book Fair, intellect and money, culture and trade are the unmistakable trademarks of the city of Frankfurt am Main. Frankfurt has served as the centre of the German book industry for 60 years and will continue to do so in the future.”    

In signing the contract, Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, stated: “For an international event on the scale of the Frankfurt Book Fair, planning security and a reliable organisation partner are essential. We found this partner in Messe Frankfurt in 1951 and welcome the continuation of our long-standing co-operation.”

The history of the Frankfurt Book Fair dates back to the 15th century. The modern tradition of the Book Fair was given a new lease on life in 1949, following which the event was re-located from the Römer town hall and St. Paul’s Church to the exhibition grounds in 1951. With more than 7,000 exhibitors from 100 countries and over 299,000 international visitors, the Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest book and media fair in the world today and serves as a hallmark and model for international cultural events. The annual Book Fair is accompanied by some 2,900 related events, readings, presentations, etc.

“The Book Fair at Messe Frankfurt combines a long-standing event with an exhibition venue likewise steeped in tradition”, remarked Michael von Zitzewitz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. “We are particularly pleased to be able to sign this long-term agreement on the 60th anniversary of the modern Book Fair. Our partnership has proven fruitful in the past, and we look forward to a successful future together.”    

Background information on Messe Frankfurt  
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s largest trade fair organiser, with 436 million euros in sales in 2008 (figure as of November 2008) and more than 1,400 employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 29 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 48 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2008, Messe Frankfurt organised more than 100 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.

Contact
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
Markus Quint
Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1
60327 Frankfurt
Tel. +49 69 75 75-59 05
Fax +49 69 75 75-58 83
markus .quint messefrankfurt .com / >www .messefrankfurt .com