A life at the trade fair
For almost four decades Werner M. Dornscheidt has passionately shaped Messe Düsseldorf - most recently as Chairman of the Board. In an interview with VIVID, he talks about the most important achievements during this time, his relationship with the city – and what an Honorary Consul of Mexico actually does.
Werner M. Dornscheidt
You have worked for Messe Düsseldorf for an impressive 37 years. How do you feel now without the trade fair?
Take a look at Messe Düsseldorf. I am glad that I was allowed to contribute to this. And that I know ‘my’ company is in the best hands. With their many years of trade fair experience, the “new former” management team of Wolfram N. Diener, Bernhard J. Stempfle and Erhard Wienkamp is the ideal trio to lead Messe Düsseldorf through the Corona crisis and position it successfully for the future. I can now enjoy my retirement with a clear conscience and complete peace of mind. After all, I am Honorary Consul of Mexico and will continue to hold this honorary position in the future. At the Honorary Consulate on the ground floor of Messe Düsseldorf. That way I am still near the centre of action at least.
Since 2006, you are Honorary Consul of Mexico. What exactly does one do in this position - can you give us an example?
This is definitely a task that should not be underestimated. Sometimes we have 20 people here during office hours who need something. For example, a Mexican mother of four arrived who had no help here in Germany - and one of her children was seriously ill. We then found families who volunteered to take in the other children while she had to be at the hospital.
“I am glad that i was allowed to contribute to this.”
One of your achievements is that Messe Düsseldorf has become increasingly international. How exactly did you achieve this? And what does this increasing internationalisation mean for the city?
I am proud of the fact that the portfolios have evolved, the number of events in the largest international portfolios alone have more than doubled for example. We also have become more international. In mechanical engineering, for example, almost 80 percent of our customers come from abroad. This is certainly also due to the strong sense of service with which the entire team goes to work every day and which has always been very important to me personally. And of course, the offshoots of our leading trade fairs around the globe - with a contact person on site: Today Messe Düsseldorf has a global network of 77 foreign representatives, including 7 subsidiaries, in 141 countries. Düsseldorf’s trade fair, congress and event business has a positive impact on the city. According to a study by the ifo Institute, it generates average additional tax revenues of 36.3 million euros per year. Added to this are purchasing power effects of 1.66 billion euros and 16,664 jobs, which are secured by Düsseldorf’s trade fair and congress organisers and their events in the region.
Another focus of your work was the digitalisation of the trade fair business. Why is that so important? And how can this strategy cushion the current challenges posed by Corona?
The subject is unavoidable nowadays and I am glad that we at Messe Düsseldorf started early on. Internal procedures and processes are therefore better and more efficient. But above all it is about customer relations and increasing the benefits of participating in a trade fair. Today, for example, exhibitors can use an online order system in the run-up to the trade fairs to book all the relevant services for their trade fair appearance from a wide range of products - from the right number of sockets to almost complete stands. And with digital services such as matchmaking, visitors can individually filter out the most relevant exhibitors before their stay in Düsseldorf and arrange appointments with them. That’s a great thing and helps particularly in difficult times like the Corona pandemic: because exhibitors and visitors feel they are being accompanied and supported on all levels.
“long-term investments, a clever infrastructure and an attractive range of services are needed.”
On July 1, 2020, Wolfram N. Diener (on the right) succeeded Werner M. Dornscheidt as head of the trade fair.
You are a Düsseldorfer at heart. What does this city mean to you and what makes it so special?
I love this city. But this is mainly due to the people I was able to meet here and whom I appreciate very much. You have to spend time together with nice people, then the world is quite alright.
Düsseldorf has shown a strong, economic development in recent years. What do you think
it will take for this to continue?
A strong trade fair, of course! No, joking aside. However, the success factors between the trade fair and the city are not so very different: long-term investments, a clever infrastructure and an attractive range of services are needed.
May we know what other activities and hobbies you will be focusing your energy on in the future?
I would like to look after my grandchildren and go on nice city tours with my wife. And I would like to improve my fitness, because I didn’t really get around to that while I was so busy with work. Now that I have the chance I would like to go for walks by the sea, and I finally have to lose 10 kilos. A hobby? I like fountain pens. I have 34 fountain pens sitting nicely side by side in my cupboard. Maybe I’ll add one or two more now. •
Werner M. Dornscheidt
• from 01.01.2004 to 30.06.2020: Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, working for the company for almost 37 years
• since 2006: Honorary Consul of Mexico
Most important achievements at Messe Düsseldorf:
• more internationality: e.g. in 2004, 65 foreign representatives in 104 countries, currently 77 foreign representatives in 141 countries
• Pioneer of the digital trade fair: Online presentation for exhibitors on 365 days
• Co-initiator of the SAVE FOOD initiative to combat food waste
Words: Tom Corrinth
Pictures: PR