Hands-on craftsmanship: when spaceships take off and mountain bikes fly

With completely new formats, the leading trade fair inspires young people to take up the trades of roofing, carpentry and plumbing. School classes receive free admission.

Munich/Cologne, 13 January 2026 – Craftsmanship meets entertainment: DACH+HOLZ International 2026 sets new standards in recruiting young talent. From 24 to 27 February, young visitors to the trade fair in Cologne will not only be able to watch the national teams of roofers and carpenters training, but also experience a trade fair full of surprises. A master roofer will perform spectacular mountain bike stunts every day, an Austrian master craftsman will build a spaceship out of titanium zinc live, and in the racing area, visitors can compete against each other in real racing simulators. The programme will be complemented by VR experiences on the roofs of Cologne Cathedral, an open community area and numerous hands-on activities. The ZVDH and Holzbau Deutschland associations, the ‘Dachdecker Dein Beruf’ (Roofing Your Profession) campaign for young people, and the competence centres in the carpentry trade will also provide information about training and further education opportunities in the roofing and timber construction industry.

National teams: Live insights into top performances

Absolute concentration, millimetre-precise work and team spirit under time pressure: In Hall 9 at Stand 9.312, visitors to the trade fair can watch the national carpentry team prepare for WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai. From the first to the last day of the trade fair,
 the team will be working on a challenging task that covers all facets of modern timber construction. The team leaders and trainers will be available to answer questions and provide insights into the world of international professional competitions.
At the same time, the national roofing team will demonstrate their skills and show how complex roof constructions, pitched roof work and metalwork are carried out to the highest standards. The public training session offers a unique opportunity to look over the shoulders of professionals at work.

Enterprise made of titanium zinc: when craftsmanship becomes space travel

An extraordinary project is guaranteed to attract everyone's attention: Austrian roofer Friedrich Reinbold will be building a detailed model of the Starship Enterprise live throughout the trade fair – made entirely from titanium zinc. What at first glance looks like science fiction is in fact a clever way of getting young people interested in the plumbing trade. Reinbold, known for his innovative training approaches, will demonstrate all the essential techniques of the profession in the construction of the spaceship: from precise cutting and forming with special machines to traditional soft soldering techniques. Interested visitors can ask questions directly at the stand (Hall 8, Stand 425) and follow the entire creation process.
Also on site: the living workshop of the Würzburg Master Tinsmith School (Hall 8, Stand 428). Here, visitors to the trade fair can experience modern craft techniques and demanding restoration work in practice in an authentically furnished working environment.

Virtual flights of fancy and fast-paced races at the roofing stand

What does it feel like to work on a church roof? Young visitors to the trade fair can find out exactly that with the ‘Roofing – Your Career’ campaign. VR glasses enable virtual tours over the roofs of Cologne Cathedral – including exciting background information on drainage and other technical details of the famous building. In addition, interactive 360-degree videos offer insights into various fields of work such as green roof installation, photovoltaic assembly and energy-efficient renovation.
If you're in the mood for speed after your virtual flight, the racing area is the place to be: two professional racing simulators invite you to
compete head-to-head. With the digital DDB racing car, you can compete against each other and win attractive prizes.

Training centres present career paths in timber construction

At the joint stand of Holzbau Deutschland in Hall 9 (Stand 9.417), three leading centres of excellence are promoting training in timber construction and their educational programmes: Komzet Bau Bühl, the Baden-Württemberg Timber Construction Training Centre and Bubiza. Here, interested visitors can find out everything they need to know about training and further education opportunities in carpentry, the tripartite degree programme in timber construction project management and civil engineering, and various further education options. A wooden table tennis table and fresh popcorn will provide some variety between the consultations.

New formats: community meeting place and action show

Under the motto ‘We want to show everyone how cool the skilled trades are,’ Cologne-based roofer Florian Hemmersbach is creating a new kind of community area on the outdoor grounds. This open meeting place serves as a platform for networking, employer branding and the production of live content – a place where industry professionals, trainees and interested parties can meet in an informal setting.
Another new feature is the ‘Craftsmanship meets sport’ action area in Hall 8, Stand 8.531: master roofer Niels Gehrke, who is also a passionate mountain biker, and his team will be presenting a breathtaking show every day with daring jumps and technically demanding tricks. After each performance, fans will have the opportunity to get autographs and chat with the athletes.

Social media stars in the trade exchange personal views

Well-known personalities from the skilled trades community will once again be present at the trade fair in 2026. These social media influencers usually share their everyday working lives on digital platforms – at DACH+HOLZ International, they will now be available in person for discussions. They will report first-hand on why they love their profession, what challenges they face and what opportunities the skilled trades offer.

Innovation meets creativity – around 450 exhibitors showcase the future

Around 450 exhibitors from across the industry are using the platform to present their latest developments. These range from
intelligent tool systems and sustainable building materials to digital planning tools. The enlarged ‘Start-up & Innovations Area’ in particular offers exciting insights: young companies are showcasing innovative approaches that make construction processes safer, more efficient and more economical. Young professionals are also invited to learn about these forward-looking solutions. During the trade fair, the ‘Start-up & Innovations Award’ will also be presented to the most impressive product.

Free admission to the trade fair for school and vocational school classes

DACH+HOLZ International 2026 offers young people a unique platform to discover the fascination of the roofing, carpentry and plumbing trades. To enable as many young people as possible to enjoy this experience, the trade fair offers free admission to school and vocational school classes. Teachers can simply register their groups in advance by emailing jessica.giesa@ghm.de.

About DACH+HOLZ International

DACH+HOLZ International is the leading trade fair for the roofing and timber industry in the European market. It offers a unique platform for networking, innovation and business opportunities. The change of location between northern and southern Germany underlines the different approaches taken by roofers and carpenters. The next DACH+HOLZ International will take place from 24 to 27 February 2026 at the Cologne Exhibition Centre.

Further information:  https://www.dach-holz.com/ 

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