After denkmal and MUTEC had to be cancelled two years ago owing to the pandemic, its exhibitors, partners and visitors were pleased to see this trade fair duo make a hugely successful comeback from 24 to 26 November 2022. The 14th edition of the leading European trade fair denkmal and of MUTEC, which took place simultaneously, was extremely busy and welcomed 12,800 visitors from 32 countries. "We've just experienced three intense days at the trade fair. You could really feel the enthusiasm of everyone there, every second of every day. Business relationships, expert discussions and personal meetings were the order of the day as denkmal and MUTEC impressively demonstrated how significant these trade fairs are as an international get-together for the entire industry", says a thrilled Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director at Leipziger Messe. This year, 473 exhibitors from 17 countries took part in the two trade fairs.

351 exhibitors from 12 countries presented their products and services in all areas of preservation and restoration at denkmal, which was once again sponsored by UNESCO. "We were practically a founding member of denkmal, so we were very much hoping that the restart after the cancellation in 2020 would go well. Our hopes were actually exceeded, as denkmal 2022 was a huge success. So many interested visitors came to our stand from home and abroad, including a particularly large number of young people, and we had good meetings all the way", explains Ralph-Uwe Johann, Managing Director at Deffner & Johann.

Rüdiger Lugert, Managing Director at KEIMFARBEN, was also very pleased with how the event played out. "We brought a team of 15 to the fair and on the last day, everyone was overjoyed by the amazing response we experienced at our exhibition stand. The highly qualified and competent visitors showed great interest in our products. We had conversations with many visitors from Germany and abroad from all the trades. For us, denkmal 2022 will go down in the books as a major success and we'll definitely be back next time." Exhibitors were especially enthusiastic about the opportunity to interact with all their important target groups. "Our exhibition stand was well-frequented at all times with both regular customers and new business contacts including building contractors, architects, planners, energy consultants and representatives of various authorities. It gives us a unique opportunity to engage in discussions within the industry" says Claudie Oehlerking, Marketing Director for HASIT Trockenmörtel.

The numerous representatives from the skilled trades were also very excited about this year's denkmal. "After the pandemic break, we were especially looking forward to denkmal this year. We added an additional level to our stand to cater to this. Customer contacts at denkmal are superb, visitors are interested in what we do and we were able to sign business agreements right here at the trade fair. There's one thing for sure, we will be back for the next event", says Andreas Bugiel, Managing Director of Brennert.

Foreign exhibitors also considered denkmal 2022 a success. "For us as a company in the Netherlands, this is the only important trade fair in Germany. At home, we don't have anything comparable at all. We were able to welcome numerous potential new clients to our exhibition stand who came with specific questions about their projects. So we're expecting to do good business in the follow-up to the fair. There's lots to do. We will definitely be back in two years' time", states Rikus Oswald, Managing Director of Harlinger Aardewerk & Tegelfabriek.

The overwhelming majority of exhibitors expressed the same intention. 95 per cent of the companies and institutions represented want to exhibit at denkmal 2024 as well, and 98 per cent would recommend the trade fair to others.

Conference Programme Draws in the Crowds

The denkmal conference programme once again proved its deserved position as the entire industry's most extensive further education event. An enormous variety of topics were represented in over 150 specialist lectures, podium discussions, seminars and workshops, meeting with great interest among visitors. "A major focus this year was on topics relating to sustainability and climate protection. High-profile national and international institutions worked together to develop strategies to secure a firmer position on the political agenda for the significant contribution that monument preservation and conservation can make to fighting climate change. denkmal provided the perfect framework for that," says Mariella Riedel, denkmal and MUTEC Project Director. There is significant interest among policymakers in denkmal and its topics. Guests in attendance included Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer as well as numerous members of the federal and state parliaments.

Prof Dr Markus Harzenetter, Chairman of the Association of Monument Conservationist Offices in the Federal States of Germany (Vereinigung der Denkmalfachämter in den Ländern) and of the denkmal advisory board, also gave a positive assessment: "This year's edition of denkmal was a tremendous success in every respect. I was especially pleased to see a remarkably large number of young people visiting the trade fair. This means our work will be continued in the next generation. By focusing on sustainability, denkmal is at the forefront of the issues of our time." Volker Schweizer, responsible for media content on planning and building at the Fraunhofer IRB was similarly enthusiastic. "We are more than satisfied with our participation in the trade fair this year. There was a great response to our 'denkmal for Future' event, and we were particularly pleased to see so many young people visiting the fair this time. We are already looking forward to 2024!"

CONTACT "denkmal" once again proved a popular component of the social programme. The international networking & matchmaking event, organised by the Leipzig Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Dresden Chamber of Commerce and Leipziger Messe, welcomed dozens of participants from nine countries. For the first time ever, CONTACT "denkmal" took place both online and onsite.

Award Ceremonies at denkmal: From Gold Medals to the Peter Parler Prize

The presentation of the denkmal Gold Medal for outstanding achievements in the preservation of historical monuments in Europe was once again a highlight of this year's trade fair. Ten exhibitors received the coveted award in special recognition of their accomplishments. "We are always at denkmal. But this year's event was phenomenal. The days we spent here were outstanding. We met architects, representatives of conservation offices, restorers, private clients and many more enthusiastic visitors. Coming to Leipzig this year was particularly special because we also won a Gold Medal for excellence in European monument conservation", explains Almut Lagel, Managing Director of VIA.

Gold Medals were also received by the Umbrella Association of Restorers in the Skilled Trades (DRH), the collective stand of the Protestant Church in Central Germany and the Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Saxony, HOWE HOME, the youth lodges of the German Foundation for Monument Protection (Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz), the Italian collective stand Regione Lazio, the Saxon lock- and blacksmith Sicherheitstechnik & Restaurierung Roberto Weigel, Style Dach, the University of Stuttgart and research partners, and the Association of Restorers (VDR).

Numerous other honours were also awarded in conjunction with denkmal. The three prize-winners of the denkmal Trade Fair Academy (Messeakademie), a distinguished competition for young architecture students, received awards for their blueprints. Competition entrants could choose from four historic structures in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Brandenburg that are worthy of conservation. For the second time in a row, the prestigious Peter Parler Prize for high-quality stonemasonry skills was awarded to independent stonemasons and stone sculptors in conjunction with denkmal.

Record Exhibitor Numbers at MUTEC

MUTEC, which took place in parallel, had a record 122 exhibitors from 13 countries in attendance. Operators of cultural establishments come to the international fair for museum and exhibition technology to learn about new technology and practical solutions. Three new areas premiered this year: Stage Technology and Equipment, MuseumMerch (products for museum shops) and Accessibility. In more than 40 events, the MUTEC conference programme will examine a wide spectrum of topics ranging from product innovation to conceptual questions and cultural debates.