DMEXCO 2026 in Cologne, Germany

DMEXCO 2026 (Digital Marketing Expo & Conference) is Europe’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to digital marketing and technologies, held annually at the Koelnmesse venue in Cologne.

Over two intensive days, marketers, advertisers, media companies, technology providers and startups come together to exchange ideas, test new solutions and close real business deals. It is not just a showcase of booths, but a vibrant ecosystem where the agenda of the entire digital industry is shaped.

In the coming years, DMEXCO maintains its fixed place in the business calendar: the event takes place every September at Koelnmesse. For companies, it is a convenient point for planning launches, campaigns and in-person meetings with key partners.

Who should especially attend DMEXCO 2026 at Koelnmesse:

• CMOs, digital directors, brand managers and performance teams.
• Media and digital agencies, including creative, performance and in-house teams.
• Marketing and advertising technology companies, adtech and martech platforms.
• E-commerce and omnichannel retailers, marketplaces, fintech and SaaS companies.
• Media representatives, streaming services, publishers and owners of advertising inventory.
• Startups, investors and venture funds working at the intersection of technology and marketing.

The atmosphere of DMEXCO is bustling negotiations, packed halls with masterclasses, dynamic discussions about artificial intelligence, retail media and the cookieless future — and the constant feeling that everything happening “here and now” is what the industry will be talking about throughout the next year.

Video about DMEXCO: feel the Koelnmesse atmosphere

To better understand the atmosphere of the exhibition and conference, watch the official DMEXCO video highlights from recent years.

Video tutorials, keynote recordings and masterclasses are available in the DMEXCO VOD library, allowing you to revisit key sessions after the event and use them in your team’s work.

The history of DMEXCO: how Cologne became the capital of the digital industry

The roots of DMEXCO go back to the early 2000s: the predecessor of the exhibition was the specialist fair Online Marketing Düsseldorf (OMD). In 2009 it moved to Cologne and received a new name — DMEXCO, securing its status as Europe’s key forum for digital marketing.

Since the very beginning, the exhibition has grown together with the market: from banner advertising and classic online marketing to sophisticated ecosystems combining data, automation, artificial intelligence and creativity. Today the focus of DMEXCO is not only advertising, but the entire digital economy: e-commerce, data & analytics, retail media, connected TV, audio, DOOH and new formats.

Every year has its own bright theme slogan. In 2023, the motto “Empowering Digital Creativity” highlighted the role of creativity and AI tools in marketing. In 2024, the theme “Prompting the Future” emphasized generative artificial intelligence. In 2025, boldness takes center stage: the motto “Be Bold. Move Forward.” reflects the need to make decisive moves in a rapidly changing digital environment.

Another historic milestone is the expansion of the brand beyond Europe. In 2025, DMEXCO ASIA launched in Singapore, further strengthening the exhibition’s role as a global hub for the digital industry.

Advantages of DMEXCO at Koelnmesse: scale, numbers, influence

The main advantage of DMEXCO 2026 is the combination of a large-scale exhibition and a powerful conference program. The event occupies several Koelnmesse halls (typically halls 6, 7 and 8) and the Congress Centre North, turning the complex into a huge “marketing city” with tens of thousands of square meters of exhibition space.

According to the organizers, in recent years DMEXCO has consistently attracted around 40,000 professional visitors and hundreds of exhibitors. For example, in 2023 the exhibition welcomed around 40,000 participants and more than 650 companies and partners. In 2024, 680 exhibitors and partners were announced along with the same 40,000 attendees from approximately 90 countries. In 2025, organizers already mention about 700 partner companies and more than 1,000 speakers.

An important point for B2B: a significant share of the audience consists of decision-makers. According to official materials, about two-thirds of visitors have real budget authority, and roughly a quarter hold C-level positions. For exhibitors, this means that in just two days you can meet with people who can actually sign contracts.

In addition, DMEXCO stands out for its global reach. Dozens of countries are traditionally represented at Koelnmesse, and the share of international visitors continues to grow, making the exhibition an excellent entry point to both the European and global markets.

Well-known companies at DMEXCO 2026: who you can meet in Cologne

Every year, the world’s leading technology and marketing brands come to DMEXCO. Below are just a few examples of companies announced among exhibitors and partners in the current and upcoming editions.

• Google. One of the most prominent DMEXCO 2026 participants: the company traditionally brings a strong team of speakers and a large zone dedicated to Google Ads, YouTube, analytics, privacy and AI tools. For marketers, it is a chance to discuss their strategy directly with the Google team.
• Amazon Ads. In recent years, Amazon Ads has been a platinum sponsor, showcasing how retail data and retail media are transforming the advertising landscape. Presentations and booth content typically focus on first-party data, personalization, measurement, and integrations with e-commerce.
• Microsoft Advertising. Microsoft actively uses DMEXCO as a platform to demonstrate its advertising solutions across search, content and artificial intelligence. Sessions often explore the use of generative AI in advertising and the evolving search ecosystem.
• Salesforce. Salesforce traditionally showcases Marketing Cloud, CDP and end-to-end personalization based on a unified customer profile. For brands, it is an opportunity to see how CRM data, automation and creativity come together in a seamless customer journey.
• Shopify. Shopify at DMEXCO 2026 is a concentration of e-commerce expertise: from online store infrastructure to integrations with marketplaces, logistics and marketing tools. Booth sessions often present D2C cases using the Shopify ecosystem to grow across Europe and worldwide.
• Disney Advertising. Disney Advertising is one of the sponsors of the CMO Lounge, giving top marketers exclusive access to premium video content and Disney data. The company emphasizes the power of storytelling and high-quality media inventory that helps brands build emotional, memorable campaigns.

Dozens of other global players join this list: from large agency groups to fast-growing adtech startups, giving exhibitors and visitors a rare opportunity to see the entire market in one place.

Tips for visitors of DMEXCO at Koelnmesse

DMEXCO is an extremely intense event, so simply walking through the halls is not the best strategy. It is far more effective to arrive with a clear plan: who you want to meet, which topics to cover, and which solutions to test.

• Use the DMEXCO App. It is used for ticketing, scheduling, booking meetings and networking. This is the main tool to avoid getting lost among dozens of stages and booths.
• Study the Koelnmesse hall plan in advance. The exhibition is typically spread across halls 6–8 and the congress center, and walking between stages can take up to 10–15 minutes. Set aside time for transitions and avoid booking important meetings “back-to-back”.
• Pay attention to the thematic DMEXCO Worlds. World of Agencies, World of Commerce, World of Media, World of Tech and the Start-up Area help you quickly find relevant companies by business type and focus area.
• Register for masterclasses and closed sessions. Seats for masterclasses and CMO events are limited, and these are often the places where exclusive, not-yet-published insights are shared.
• Plan time for unhurried conversations. Many solutions and partnerships are born not only in the halls, but also in lounge areas, at special networking events and at evening parties after the official program.
• Use Koelnmesse services. On-site you’ll find food points, business lounges, cloakrooms, workspaces, charging stations, and excellent transport access from Cologne Messe/Deutz.

If you are traveling as a team, it makes sense to distribute roles: who handles meetings with key vendors, who gathers information about new platforms, and who focuses on educational sessions. This way you will make the most of your two days in Cologne.

Categories of services and solutions at DMEXCO

DMEXCO 2026 covers virtually the entire spectrum of digital marketing and adtech/martech solutions. For visitors, it is a rare opportunity to compare competing platforms, ask complex questions to product teams and see live demos.

At exhibitor booths and in the conference program you will find:

• Online advertising platforms: programmatic, DSP/SSP, ad networks, targeting and campaign management solutions.
• Data and analytics tools: CDP, DMP, BI systems, attribution, incrementality models and data clean rooms.
• Solutions for AI marketing, generative content, personalization and recommendations.
• E-commerce and retail media platforms, marketplaces, CRM solutions and loyalty management tools.
• Content and creative tools: digital asset management (DAM) systems, UGC platforms, video and CTV advertising, audio advertising and podcasts.
• Technologies for mobile marketing, in-game advertising, AR/VR projects and interactive branding experiences.
• Consulting partners, digital and media agencies that help build strategy and implement new tools into the real marketing stack.

For exhibitors, this is an opportunity to showcase a product in action, while visitors can collect a “live catalog” of solutions in just two days that will help their marketing work faster and more efficiently.

How to participate in DMEXCO 2026 as an exhibitor

If you plan to participate at DMEXCO 2026 as an exhibitor, the first step is to register via the Exhibitor section on the official website. There you choose your participation format, booth type, space size, and additional services (technical setup, media packages, sponsorship options, participation in thematic zones, etc.).

The organizers closely monitor that participants are connected to digital marketing, media or technology, so your application should clearly describe your products and target audience. Once approved, you gain access to the Exhibitor Portal, where you can manage your application, services and your appearance in the online catalog.

A separate topic is the exhibition booth. It is the first impression your brand makes in the highly competitive environment of Koelnmesse. A logical solution is to entrust the construction of a custom booth or rental of a standard structure to ESBAU, a professional exhibition stand builder in Europe. ESBAU will help adapt your booth concept to the specifics of DMEXCO, Koelnmesse requirements, and your team’s lead-generation and brand-building goals.

To get the most out of your participation, plan in advance: which products you will showcase, which meetings you will schedule, which talks you will submit, and how you will work with leads after returning from Cologne. With proper planning, DMEXCO 2026 easily transforms from “just another event” into a major source of valuable contacts and insights for the entire year ahead.

Bespoke Exhibition Stand for Your Exhibit at DMEXCO