carpe event productions | Cologne | 31.01. - 03.02.2027

Exhibition stand construction for ISM 2027 in Cologne

We will build your exhibition stand for ISM 2027 in Cologne – professionally, discreetly, using the sustainable clickwand system and drawing on over 25 years’ experience in stand construction.

Exhibition dates 
31.01. - 03.02.2027

Set-up
28.01. - 30.01.2027

Dismantling
03.02. - 05.02.2027

Venue
Koelnmesse GmbH
Messeplatz 1
50679 Cologne

Our range of services

How we support you at ISM 2027

From the initial site plan to the handover of the keys – everything from a single source, with a dedicated point of contact and predictable processes.

  • Exhibition stands with clear product guidance for chocolate, sugar confectionery, biscuits, snacks, trend snacks, natural sweets, breakfast snacks, ice cream and private labels
  • Presentation areas for product innovations, tasting formats, seasonal assortments, international brand worlds, private-label ranges and retail concepts
  • Stand concepts for manufacturers, distributors, private-label providers, start-ups, associations, publishers and international sweets and snacks brands
  • Consultation zones for buyers from wholesale, retail, import, foodservice, drugstores, online retail, vending, bakeries, cafés, confectionery and specialist retail
  • Experience-oriented staging of taste, packaging, sustainability, innovation, brand positioning, shelf impact and international assortment trends
  • Local project management and build-up coordination in Cologne with short routes to Koelnmesse and reliable coordination during build-up, the fair and dismantling
Why exhibit?

What you can achieve with a strong presence at ISM

ISM offers exhibitors a focused global industry platform. What can pay off for your business:

World-leading trade fair for sweets and snacks

ISM is the world’s leading trade fair for sweets and snacks, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, distributors, buyers and industry experts from key markets.

New ISM brand family in 2027

From 2027, ISM will for the first time bring together ISM, ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing under one shared brand umbrella, covering the value chain from raw materials and production to the finished product.

Strong international reach

The previous 2026 event recorded 1,567 exhibitors, 100,000 m² of gross exhibition space and 32,000 visitors, underlining the fair’s international relevance for retail and trade.

Precise retail target groups

Trade visitors are admitted from wholesale and retail, import, purchasing, retail chains, foodservice, specialist stores, online retail, vending and relevant manufacturing sectors.

Stand types

Which stand type fits your presence at ISM?

Depending on assortment, brand impact, tasting concept, consultation needs and desired retail approach, different stand formats may be suitable. We advise you on the solution that fits your space, budget, visitor routing and product staging.

Row stand created using the carpe configurator
Row stand

One open side. Cost-efficient for focused product lines, compact brand presences, start-ups, private labels, sample presentations or targeted conversations with buyers.

Corner unit created using the carpe configurator
Corner stand

Two open sides. Useful for greater visibility when product innovations, tastings, shelf presentations or brand worlds should be visible from several visitor routes.

End stand created using the carpe configurator
End stand

Three open sides. Strong for providers with several assortments, such as chocolate, snacks, natural sweets, breakfast products, seasonal lines and private label.

Block stand created using the carpe configurator
Block stand / Island

Four open sides, freestanding in the hall. Ideal for large brand environments, international product launches, tastings, retail discussions, press formats and intensive B2B appointments.

Our process

From the initial consultation to the finished stand.
In 6 clear steps.

1
Consultation & Briefing

You describe your plans, objectives and budget – we listen, ask questions and suggest initial directions. By phone, video call or in person in Cologne.

2
Concept & 3D Visualisation

We develop a tailor-made stand concept including layout, materials and branding. You can view your stand in advance as a realistic 3D model from all angles.

3
Quotation & Fine-tuning

You receive a transparent fixed-price quotation. Requests for changes are incorporated directly – with no hidden costs or surprises later on.

4
Production in our own workshop

Stand construction, printing and all fittings are manufactured in Cologne. Short lead times, full quality control and maximum reliability – even with last-minute adjustments.

5
Setting up at the trade fair

Our team handles delivery, stand assembly and all technical coordination with the trade fair. You arrive at the finished stand – ready to go for the trade fair opening.

6
Dismantling & Reuse

After the trade fair ends, we take care of complete dismantling, return transport and storage. Reusable click-wall elements are kept in stock for future events.

Why choose carpe event productions

A partner with home-ground advantage in Cologne

We have been building exhibition stands since 1999 and are based in Cologne – saving you time, money and stress.

Over 25 years’ experience

We have been creating exhibition stands and events since 1999 – at gamescom, ANUGA, ORGATEC, MEDICA and many more.

Cologne location

Our office and workshop are based in Cologne – ideal for last-minute adjustments and rapid on-site service.

In-house workshop

Stand construction and printing are carried out in-house. No subcontractors, no hidden interfaces – full quality control.

clickwand system

Our modular wall system – in use since 2007. More sustainable, faster and more flexible than traditional timber construction.

Dedicated contact person

You have a project manager who supports your project from start to finish. No handover, no misunderstandings.

Full service

Concept, design, production, logistics, assembly, dismantling, storage – everything from a single source and with transparent pricing.

A selection of our client references

Successful projects by Carpe

carpe stand construction portfolio computacenter
Complete exhibition stand

Design and construction of the Computacenter stand at Düsseldorf 2025, featuring 70 exhibitors.

carpe stand construction for Nautilus
Corner stand with raised platform

Stand concept for Nautilus featuring a raised platform and graphics in the corporate design.

carpe trade fair stand construction reference spoga gafa
Corner stand with booth

Stand construction for BIAG featuring a dedicated booth and full-surface graphics.

The trade fair

About ISM 2027

ISM 2027 will take place from 31 January to 3 February 2027 at Koelnmesse in Cologne. It is regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for sweets and snacks and is open to trade visitors only. 

The focus is on chocolate and chocolate products, sugar confectionery, biscuits, snack foods, trend snacks, natural sweets, breakfast snacks, ice cream, frozen confectionery, raw pastes as well as associations and publishers. From 2027, the fair will be complemented by ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing under one shared ISM brand family. 

For exhibitors, this means that the stand must structure products clearly, make taste and brand tangible and support international purchasing processes efficiently. Clear visitor routing, sales-oriented product presentation, tasting logic, quiet consultation areas and a stand concept that convincingly connects assortment, innovation and retail relevance are particularly important.

Facts & Figures

Format: International B2B trade fair and world-leading trade fair for sweets and snacks

Special features: From 2027, shared ISM brand family with ISM, ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing for the entire sweets and snacks value chain

Organiser: Koelnmesse GmbH

Edition: Annual; next edition 2027 from 31 January to 3 February 2027

Target audience: Buyers from confectionery, food and beverage wholesale, import, purchasing associations, retail chains, filling station chains, hypermarkets, foodservice, specialist confectionery retail, pastry shops, cafés, bakeries, confectioneries, cash & carry, drugstore chains, department stores, online food retail, vending and manufacturers of sweets and snacks

Sustainability

Exhibition stand construction that lives on after the event

Our clickwand system was developed in 2007 as a sustainable alternative to the throwaway culture in exhibition stand construction. The modular elements can be reused as often as required; they are stored after each use and can be flexibly re-deployed. With a lifespan of over 10 years, they combine sustainability, efficiency and long-term cost-effectiveness.

  • 80% less waste than with traditional timber stand construction
  • Re-use of walls, counters, lighting elements and decorations
  • Storage of your stand elements with us – ready to go for the next trade fair
  • Short routes within Cologne, bundled sample and product logistics and modular stand planning reduce transport effort and make on-site adjustments easier during build-up and the fair
Plan now

Ready for your presence
at ISM 2027?

Your contacts:

Key account manager Jonas Müller
Jonas Müller
Key account manager
 Project manager Fabian Schwaiger
Fabian Schwaiger
Project manager
Operational project manager
Moritz Biermann
Operational project manager

Do you prefer writing?

Frequently asked questions

What exhibitors often want to know about ISM 2027

ISM 2027 will take place from Sunday, 31 January, to Wednesday, 3 February 2027, in Cologne. For visitors, the fair is open Sunday to Tuesday from 9:00 to 18:00 and on Wednesday from 9:00 to 16:00.

ISM 2027 takes place at Koelnmesse in Cologne. The hall occupancy includes 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2, 5.2, Hall 1, CC Ost, passages and boulevard areas. The address is Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne.

The build-up period begins on 28 January 2027 at 8:00 and runs continuously until 30 January 2027 at 20:00.

The published dismantling period begins on 3 February 2027 from 16:00 and runs continuously until 4 February 2027 at midnight. On 5 February 2027, dismantling is possible from 7:00 to 18:00; no dismantling is possible between 4 February 2027 at midnight and 5 February 2027 at 7:00.

ISM is open to trade visitors only. Admitted visitor groups include buyers from wholesale and retail, import, purchasing associations, retail chains, foodservice, specialist confectionery retail, online food retail, vending as well as relevant professionals and manufacturers from the sweets and snacks industry.

Row stands are suitable for focused assortments and samples, corner stands for more visibility, peninsula stands for several product clusters and island stands for large branded environments, tastings, international customer appointments or intensive retail discussions.

The stand rental prices are EUR 324,00 m² for registration from 1 April 2026. An energy cost flat rate of EUR 21.00/m² is also listed. Stand construction, technical equipment, lighting, graphics, furniture, sample logistics, storage and consultation areas are added depending on the concept.