Essen is the heart of Europe's power industry and is also a leading centre for the environment business. Its central position in one of the strongest economic areas in Germany guarantees huge potential for investment as well as high consumer demand, something that is well illustrated by the popularity of its trade fairs and exhibitions: Essen is the market leader in leisure industry exhibitions open to the general public.

Every year up to two million visitors from more than 100 countries come to Essen to find out what's new in their respective industries. This makes Essen Exhibition Centre one of the most-visited trade fair locations in Germany. Its calendar of events boasts some 40 trade fairs and exhibitions, 13 of which are international flagship trade fairs. More than 12,500 exhibitors, almost one in four of which comes from outside Germany, use the exhibition grounds every year.

Germany's eighth-largest trade fair centre enjoys a central location in the middle of the Rhine/Ruhr region, which has the highest rate of investment in Europe, and also ranks as its most densely populated urban area. The exhibition grounds are just 20 minutes from Düsseldorf airport and 5 minutes from Essen main railway station, and are well serviced by the autobahns and public transport. Essen itself has sights of historical interest as well as UNESCO-listed industrial monuments.