IAW 2026

Update

Following the successful hosting of the 2025 editions, organisers have opted to proceed with the 2026 edition. IAW 2026 will take place between the 24th and 26th of March 2026 as a face-to-face event. The event will take place at Messe Cologne.

Preface

Do not lose sight of the fast-paced trends in retail and promotions at IAW. The international trade fair brings in over 300 exhibitors to Germany to present an in-depth overview of several industry sectors, including clothing, consumer goods, cosmetics, toys, home products and promotional products. IAW is renowned for its product portfolio, which features beverages, computer accessories, cosmetics, DIY products, electrical goods, electronics, fabrics, flowers, food, garden products, gift items and hardware.

IAW Accommodation

Secure your chances of success with hotels in Cologne within your price range. For an online hotel reservation for trade fairs, turn to Travel 2 Fairs Ltd. Business travel has many components to itself, but one of the most important is accommodation. It can take many hours to find the right hotel deal for your company, and Travel 2 Fairs Ltd shortens the search to a single business day. It is simple. Give us your planned budget, how many people are in your group and the dates you are travelling. Our team uses this data to create a bespoke stay in a trusted venue.

Past Iterations

IAW September 2021

IAW 2021 September occurred between 14-16.09.2021 at Messe Cologne. The edition was a face-to-face trade exhibition with strict coronavirus precautions, including attendants needing to show health certificates. Around 200 exhibiting firms and 5 000 visitants from 52 countries attended the fair. 

IAW March 2022

IAW 2022 March featured around 4 800 attendants from 66 countries. The event was a face-to-face trade exhibition in Messe Cologne. It occurred between 08-10.03.2022. The venue featured the latest coronavirus precautions, including mandatary medical face coverings.

IAW September 2022

IAW 2022 September featured 260 exhibiting firms from 22 countries, including 60 newcomers, and around 5 000 trade visitants from 66 nations. The fair was held live between 06-08.09.2022 in Messe Cologne. It did not feature coronavirus precautions due to the repealing of the country's pandemic restrictions. 

IAW March 2023

IAW 2023 March occurred as a live trade exhibition in Messe Cologne between 28.02-2.03.2023. The venue did not include coronavirus precautions. This was because of the repealing of the country's pandemic restrictions. The iteration signified a new attendance record as it featured more than 6 000 visitants from 80 countries with 48% being buyers. Additionally, the trade exhibition received 280 exhibiting firms from 22 nations with at least 17% being newcomers.

IAW September 2023

IAW September 2023 was a live trade exposition in Messe Cologne between 05-07.09.2023. It featured 5 000 visitants from 66 nations who over-viewed the wares of 290 exhibitants from 24 countries. The event took place on 30 000 m2 of event space.  

IAW March 2024

IAW March 2024 was a live trade exposition in Messe Cologne between 04-06.03.2024. It featured 285 exhibiting firms from 26 nations, 5 400 visitants, and 26 speakers on 30 000 m2. 

IAW September 2024

IAW September 2024 was a live trade expos hosted in Messe Cologne between 03-05.09.2024. It was attended by 4 850 visitants and 285 exhibiting firms from 28 participating countries.

IAW March 2025

IAW March 2025 took place as a live trade expo in Messe Cologne between 11-13.03.2025. It featured 280 exhibiting firms from 21 nations and 5 200 visitants. 

IAW September 2025

IAW September 2025 was a live trade expo hosted between 02-04.09.2025. It featured 260 exhibiting firms from 23 countries and over 4,700 trade visitants from around 70 nations on 30,000 m².