Here Are the Biggest Trade Fairs That Will Make Headlines in 2025

BAU 2025: January 13th - 17th; Munich, Germany

The year begins with BAU; an appropriate prick because of its status as the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems. In 2025, the fair will address the growing social, economic, and ecological challenges of urbanization as showcased by some 2,260 exhibitors across 19 halls. You can expect 190,000 trade visitors; the number cements why BAU remains as relevant as ever.

As the global population continues to concentrate in cities, expected to reach 70% by 2050, the pressure on urban and rural spaces is growing. This year’s fair will explore innovative solutions to these issues, focusing on sustainable urban planning, mobility, and the integration of rural areas. Exhibitors from around the world will showcase cutting-edge technologies and materials, offering solutions for both urban and rural development challenges. The exhibition will feature key product groups including building materials, energy-efficient technologies, urban mobility systems, and smart city solutions. These categories are critical in addressing the blurred lines between urban and rural spaces, where sustainable land use and smart infrastructure are becoming increasingly important.

Picture: Messe München GmbH

ISM 2025: February 2nd - 5th; Köln, Germany

The world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks, ISM 2025, is set to delight professionals and businesses with a wide-reaching assortment of sweets and impresses with innovations. There’s a lot of excitement as 85% of the total exhibition space is already booked by exhibitors from over 60 countries. ISM 2025 promises to be bigger and better, with an 8% increase in early registrations compared to last year’s edition.

This year, the fair will run alongside ProSweets Cologne, creating a strong partnership between suppliers and manufacturers. Attendees explore products from long-standing exhibitors while also discovering new participants, including companies like 1701 Nougat & Luxury Hampers Pty Ltd from South Africa, Hacks Sang Udom Confectionery from Thailand, and Savoria Kreasi Rasa from Indonesia; they offer a diverse range of handmade nougat, popcorn, rice snacks, and more. A key highlight of ISM 2025 is the Lab5 start-up area, where young and innovative companies will showcase their trendsetting snacks. Visitors catch a glimpse into the future of confectionery. Another exciting feature is the New Product Showcase, where new product innovations will be presented, offering an exclusive look at the latest industry trends.

Picture: © Koelnmesse GmbH, Hanne Engwald

Gаmе Dеvеlореrѕ Соnfеrеnсе 2025: March 17th - 21st; Ѕаn Frаnсіѕсо, UЅА

The Game Developers Conference 2025 (GDC) shows signs that it will improve its track record from 2024, which drew nearly 30,000 attendees and featured over 1,000 speakers across 730 sessions and 300+ top gaming companies showcasing cutting-edge technologies. At GDC 2025, attendees can expect to immerse themselves in a world of innovation, with a focus on the future of game development, design, programming, and interactive experiences. From insightful workshops and discussions led by industry legends to exciting hands-on demos from the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Pavilion and the unique alt.ctrl.GDC exhibit—home to games that utilize alternative controllers—there’s something for every professional in the industry.

You’ll be in the presence of the developers behind some of the most iconic games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. One of the major highlights will be the GDC Main Stage: A Developer’s Concert, conducted by Austin Wintory, the composer behind hit games like Journey and Stray Gods, and co-hosted by the renowned actor Troy Baker. New initiatives for GDC 2025 include the GDC Travel Together program, aimed at fostering community through networking walking groups, and the GDC Start-Up program for emerging companies in the gaming space.

Picture: Gаmе Dеvеlореrѕ Соnfеrеnсе

Vinitaly 2025: April 6th - 9th; Verona, Italy

After a successful 56th edition, which saw 97,000 attendees and a record 30,070 international operators from 140 countries, Vinitaly 2025 is poised to strengthen Italy’s role as a leader in the global wine industry. Vinitaly 2025 will showcase the finest Italian wines and beverages, putting wineries, distributors, and trade operators in the spotlight. The fair will continue to emphasize the internationalization of Italian wines with 1,200 buyers from 65 countries already confirmed. This marks a 20% increase in international buyer participation compared to previous years.

In addition to the core exhibition, Vinitaly Plus, the event’s digital business matching platform, will return, aiming to double its 20,000 business appointments from 2024. This innovation enhances the trade fair experience as it connects producers and buyers even before they meet face-to-face. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in the popular Vinitaly and the City event, which features over 50,000 wine tastings, offering visitors a rich cultural experience beyond the business-centric activities. The event showcases the diversity and quality of Italian wines, from classic reds and whites to emerging organic and biodynamic labels.

Picture: Vinitaly

Airport Show 2025: May 13th - 15th; Dubai, UAE

Airport Show 2025 is all about innovation in aviation. Leaders, innovators, and stakeholders, all have stakes in the development of aviation in the MENA region and are invested in the future of airport operations, ground handling, and air navigation services. Following the success of the 2024 edition, which saw more than 30 new innovators join the event, Airport Show 2025 promises to be bigger and more influential than ever. With a focus on sustainable solutions and operational agility, this year’s event will feature a wide range of innovations designed to meet the challenges of modern aviation.

A highlight of the show will be the GSE Zone, hosted in partnership with dnata, where ground support equipment (GSE) manufacturers will showcase the latest advancements in ground handling technologies. Companies like Mallaghan will feature their state-of-the-art catering trucks equipped with EURO 6 technology, offering 80% fewer emissions compared to previous models. These innovations reflect the industry's growing commitment to environmental sustainability. Additionally, dnata will demonstrate its revolutionary ‘Tisabas Operation’ baggage system, which is designed to improve safety and efficiency in baggage handling. This foldable conveyor system reduces the risk of back injuries for staff, prevents aircraft damage, and minimizes baggage claims by ensuring smoother handling processes.