DACH+HOLZ International 2026: Cologne becomes an industry experience
From 24 to 27 February, the trade fair will transform the city of Cologne into a lively meeting place for roofing and timber construction professionals – with interactive workspaces, live demonstrations and extraordinary activities such as freestyle mountain bike shows.
Munich/Cologne, 4 December 2025 – DACH+HOLZ International returns to Cologne from 24 to 27 February 2026 and surprises with new formats: three workspaces will invite visitors to get involved, an outdoor networking area brings the community together, as well as extraordinary activities such as ‘Craft meets sport’ or ‘Your industry tattoo’. All this combined will create a completely new trade fair experience. In addition, The 2026 edition of DACH+HOLZ International will focus in particular on start-ups and innovation, which will be bundled in an area with 30 exhibiting companies. Young technologies, digital solutions, sustainable approaches and new ideas in the field of human resources and AI will be brought to life here. ‘The roofing and timber construction industry continues to be very well positioned and the anticipation for a real reunion is huge,’ says Robert Schuster. ‘We create spaces for innovation, exchange and business, but also for the experience and emotions that make our craft so unique.’
Three workspaces for practical exchange
The Future Workspace in Hall 6 will focus strongly on the topics such as sustainability, AI, digitalisation and human resources. In cooperation with exhibitors, a daily programme of lectures, product demonstrations and panel discussions is being developed. Every evening, here - after the daily programme – here’s the place and chance to network, music and drinks ensuring relaxed exchange. On Thursday, 26 February, the ‘Start-up & Innovation Award’ will be presented here.
The Retention Roof Workspace in Hall 8 is dedicated to one of the most important future topics for urban spaces: water retention, green roofs, flat roofs, drainage and urban climate issues. The forum stage will host specialist presentations on the trade. The area combines exhibition spaces, practical examples and exchange zones to create a central meeting place for roof construction and sustainable system solutions.
The Plumbing Trade Workspace is run by the Würzburg Master Plumbers' School as a living workshop. This workspace showcases modern craft techniques and restoration work in live demonstrations. Machine and material sponsorship creates an authentic work environment, so trade visitors can experience first-hand how current processes are put into practice.
New special areas for a better trade fair experience
DACH+HOLZ International 2026 introduces completely new formats: Under the motto ‘We want to show everyone how cool the trade is’, roofer Florian Hemmersbach from Cologne is designing an open community area on the outdoor grounds of the trade fair – a modern meeting place for exchange, employer branding and live content.
The new ‘Craftsmanship meets sport’ activity area combines craftsmanship with sporting thrills: every day, master roofer and passionate mountain biker Niels Gehrke will be putting on a spectacular mountain bike show with freestyle somersaults and tricks in Hall 8, Stand 531. After the show, he will be available for autographs. ‘Your Industry Tattoo’ is a collaboration with regional tattoo artist Dennis. Visitors can get small industry tattoos selected by associations and exhibitors.
Promoting young talent also in the spotlight at the trade fair
DACH+HOLZ International 2026 in Cologne will once again place a strong focus on young talent. At the Holzbau Deutschland (Association of German Master Carpenters) stand (Hall 9, Stand 9.417), the three competence centres will present their educational programmes. The highlight for visitors is the public training session of the German Carpenters' National Team at stand 9.312, which provides insights into precision, endurance and teamwork under competitive conditions. The National Roofing Team can also be seen live at work. The programme is complemented by the ‘Dachdecker Dein Beruf’ (Roofing Your Profession) campaign for young people, with interactive VR experiences giving exciting insights from the roofs of Cologne Cathedral. Visitors can also look forward to a racing area with real racing simulators and fun activities such as table tennis.
The idea behind these many activities, which are involving actively companies and regional associations, is to inspire young people to commence training in timber and roof construction.
Strong industry partnership and event programme
The organisers of DACH+HOLZ International – Holzbau Deutschland (Association of German Master Carpenters) and the ZVDH (Central Association of German Roofing Constractors) – as well as BG Bau create a variety of opportunities to bring the industry together. The cooperation with the regional associations of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Cologne Roofers' and Carpenters' Guild underlines the connection to the region. The event programme for the trade fair starts with an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting, beyond that, it features International Tuesday on 24 February, the association evening on 25 February and the reception for the Dachdeckermädelz (roofers' girls) on 27 February.
DACH+HOLZ International, the trade fair for green building: building envelope & structural timber construction, will take place from 24 to 27 February 2026 at the Cologne Exhibition Centre. Further information available at https://www.dach-holz.com/en
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