The Brau Beviale 2024, held in Nuremberg, concluded successfully, drawing a solid number of 30,821 visitors, only slightly less than the previous year's attendance of 31,019. This steady turnout, despite global challenges, underscores the continuing strong demand for personal networking and information exchange within the brewing and beverage industry. The event proved once again to be a key European meeting point for industry professionals.
Visitor and Exhibitor Overview
In 2024, the exhibition attracted 858 exhibitors, roughly 10% fewer than the 953 exhibitors in 2023 (inside.beer, 30.11.2023). This is also reflected in the total exhibition space, which amounted to 35,400 square meters compared to 39,800 square meters of net exhibition space in 2023. The 2023 event had also been augmented by additional thematic areas focused on specific sectors such as wine, logistics, and innovation, occupying an extra 3,200 square meters.
Rolf Keller, CEO of Yontex, the event organizer emphasizez that the reduced space sold for Brau Beviale 2024 does not indicate a poor market sentiment. “Many exhibitors, including the market leaders, signal that investment behavior has been revitalized. Our preliminary visitor structure analysis already shows a noticeable increase in the number of decision-makers attending the event.”
Yontex also noted that the fair has largely met the expectations of its attendees, fulfilling the industry’s needs for networking and information exchange. 86 percent and 88 percent of visitors confirm that the trade fair has largely met their expectations for the requirements.
The European Focus: A Strong Core
Also this year’s Brau Beviale maintained a strong European focus, with 84% of visitors in 2024 coming from Germany and the European Union. This high percentage reinforces the fair's position as a vital annual European industry hub. The event’s emphasis on addressing European-specific challenges and trends continues to resonate strongly within the sector
Andrea Kalrait, Executive Director of BrauBeviale, already emphasizedlast year that the trade fair's offerings are distinctly focused on Europe, the core market of BrauBeviale, and that there is significant potential in this region. This focus contrasts with drinktec, which is held every four years in Munich and has a broader international perspective.
Industry Trends and Development
A key topic that dominated both years was sustainability, with 2024 seeing a significant focus on circular economy solutions, especially in the area of reusable packaging. Exhibitors such as Schäfer Werke noted a growing importance of sustainability for customers in the beverage industry. In 2024, the issue of energy efficiency in production processes was also highlighted, alongside innovations in beer de-alcoholization, which continues to be a growing trend in the beverage industry.
Visitor feedback from 2024 confirmed the increasing importance of gaining a comprehensive overview of the market, with many attendees expressing a desire to see more than just individual booths. This aligns with feedback from 2023, where attendees valued the fair's ability to provide an up-to-date overview of industry trends and innovations.
Positive Exhibitor Feedback
Exhibitors were particularly enthusiastic about the opportunities to connect with decision-makers. Dr. Roland Folz of Pentair praised the event for allowing direct contact with key decision-makers from global market leaders. 85% of attendees were noted to be involved in investment decisions, a crucial aspect of the event's value for exhibitors.
Stefan Stang from the Private Breweries of Bavaria also highlighted the importance of the European Beer Star awards, which not only celebrate innovation in brewing but also attract international attention to the fair.
Conclusion: A Solid and Successful Event
Overall, Brau Beviale 2024 continued to build on the success of the previous year, which was the first fair after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a slight decrease in both visitor and exhibitor numbers, the fair maintained its role as a pivotal European event for the brewing and beverage industry. The focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and innovation, along with a high proportion of decision-makers in attendance, indicates a vibrant and optimistic industry outlook.
The next Brau Beviale will take place from November 10 to 12, 2026, returning to its traditional mid-November schedule, following a pause for the Drinktec year in 2025. With the continued growth and evolution of the beverage sector, future editions of the fair will likely remain an essential platform for industry developments.
