Hannover was hosting trade fairs and exhibitions as long ago as 1947, and in 2000 was the setting for the EXPO World Exposition. Lower Saxony's regional capital is also heavily influenced by the service industry, with 74% of the population working in the tertiary sector.

The vibrant city on the River Main with its impressive skyline is more than just a banking and financial centre. Frankfurt's charm stems from its triumphant blend of the modern and new with the traditional and old.

Trade fairs and exhibitions have been held in Leipzig for 800 years, making it the oldest trade fair location in the world. Originally a well-kept secret after German reunification, Leipzig has now developed into a much-talked-about centre for business in eastern Germany, full of potential for the future.

The capital city of Berlin can be proud of its popular trade fairs and exhibitions, optimal infrastructure, cosmopolitan surroundings and rich history. It is a location that weaves together the grandeur of politics, culture and business.

Cologne, the city renowned for its breathtaking cathedral, has a long trade fair tradition. Back in 1360, Emperor Karl IV granted the residents of Cologne the right to hold a trade fair twice a year. In recent years Cologne has also become Germany's number one media city.

Düsseldorf is renowned not only for its high quality of life and Rhenish joie de vivre but also for its economic strength. The regional capital of North Rhine-Westphalia also enjoys a global reputation as a shopping destination and trade fair location.

Munich, regional capital of the Free State of Bavaria, is admired for its quality of life, down-to-earth traditions and vibrant economy, the main reasons why people constantly flock to live there.

Nuremberg is conveniently located in prosperous southern Germany, and, as the second-most important university and research centre in Bavaria, is one of the ten largest commercial centres in Germany.

Boasting a major international port, Hamburg is the economic centre of northern Germany. With the delightful Alster lake at the heart of the city, Hamburg is shaped not only by its traditional import and export trade but also by the media, the IT industry and the aviation sector.

Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, is renowned as a centre of car manufacturing, and its excellent transport links make it the ideal gateway to Europe's domestic market. Baden-Württemberg has the highest exports of any German state.