spoga+gafa 2024 confirms global leadership in the garden and BBQ industry

The world's leading garden and BBQ trade fair, spoga+gafa, reconfirmed its status as a leading global platform at this year's edition. Held from June 16-18 in Cologne, the event attracted some 28,000 trade visitors from 113 countries, continuing the outstanding success of the previous edition.

The fair once again succeeded in bringing together the entire garden industry, with the presence and return of renowned exhibitors from Europe and America underlining the international importance of spoga+gafa as a central meeting and networking point for the sector. In terms of visitor numbers, significant increases were recorded especially from Germany, with an increase of more than 8% compared to the previous edition.

Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH, said: "The success of spoga+gafa is a testament to the trust and support of our exhibitors and visitors. Precisely in these challenging times, spoga+gafa has once again proven to be an indispensable and reliable platform for the green industry. The positive response of international trade visitors, the increase in the number of German visitors and the high quality of the discussions with our partners motivate us even more in our efforts to constantly develop spoga+gafa."

Over 1,800 exhibitors from 66 countries attended the 2024 edition of spoga+gafa. Among the nations with the highest number of visitors was Germany, which recorded the biggest increase, along with the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the USA and Australia.

Under the main theme "Responsible Gardening", the fair offered practical concepts and answers to pressing industry issues through best practice examples from the international garden trade, presentations and dedicated lectures in the Garden Cafe Forum. The spoga+gafa also focused on developing the content of the BBQ segment, with new themed worlds such as "From Budget to Luxury - BBQ for every pocket", "The World of Cooling" and "Outdoor Adventure".

Representatives of the trade associations praised the high quality of the fair as an indispensable platform for presentation, networking and exchange of ideas in the industry.

"As an industry sponsor, we fully support spoga+gafa, which excelled once again this year with its high quality and was also great fun. For our members, it remains an important platform to showcase themselves and exchange ideas with peers, acquaintances and key decision makers in the industry," said Anna Hackstein, Managing Director of the Garden Industry Association (GIA).

For his part, Dr. Peter Wüst, Executive Director of the BHB - Trade Association for Home Improvement, Building and Gardening, emphasized: "spoga+gafa has once again exceeded our expectations and confirmed its position as a must-attend event for the industry. [...] The innovations showcased and the positive feedback from attendees show that the industry is on the right track in meeting growing consumer demands while promoting sustainable practices."

All in all, spoga+gafa remains an annual 'must-attend' for the outdoor, garden and BBQ sector in 2024, confirming its status as the most important global platform for the industry.

The next edition of spoga+gafa will take place in June 2025, under the main theme "Gardens by Design", focusing on aesthetic and innovative solutions for private green spaces and offering a retrospective of past design concepts.