Cologne has been a crossroads for people, goods and ideas for 2,000 years. The city on the Rhine is a magnet for tourists, a city of culture, trade fairs and the media, and also an important intersection in Europe with ten autobahns and the continent's most important railway junction. Cologne is also renowned for its Rhenish exuberance, quality of life and its annual carnival.

Boasting international flagship trade fairs and exhibitions, Cologne is the number-one choice for more than 25 industry sectors. Every year it hosts more than 50 international trade fairs with 42,000 companies from 120 countries, attracting around 2 million buyers from 175 countries. One in three visitors and over 50% of the exhibitors come from outside of Germany. Cologne Exhibition Centre also stages a number of trade fairs in other countries.

Cologne Exhibition Centre is the fourth largest in the world. It is located by the Rhine, directly opposite Cologne Cathedral, and the city centre is just a few minutes away by train, boat, car or on foot.