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Financial Statements

2020

Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH in Figures

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were event cancellations / postponements or digital events in 2020.

Financial Figures in € million

 
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Revenue
20.2
67.9
104.3
72.8
110.9
Balance sheet total
103.3
89.7
83.2
81.6
117.2

Staff

Employees (full-time equivalents (FTEs))
268
268
255
254
262
Trainees (average)
22
21
20
20
20

Hamburg Messe (Incl. CCH as of 2017)

Total trade fair exhibitors
4,307
10,237
14,104
9,983
15,277
Of which own events
1,504
2,996
8,217
3,452
8,217
Of which guest events
2,803
6,310
5,736
6,448
7,060
Of which CCH events
0
931
151
83
 
Total trade fair visitors
306,413
696,749
745,769
668,974
766,314
Of which own events
93,767
204,572
377,341
284,485
443,548
Of which guest events
212,496
416,507
345,308
338,119
322,766
Of which CCH events
150
75,670
23,120
46,370
 
Total gross area used (excl. outdoor areas) in m²
430,708
1,264,036
1,221,888
1,078,561
1,041,409
Number of trade fairs and exhibitions
35+1**
73+1*
61+1*
63+1*
44+1*
Of which own events
4+1**
7+1*
11+1*
7+1*
10+1*
Of which guest events
30
36
31
31
34
Of which CCH events
1
30
19
25
 
* External events
** Digital Event: WindEnergy 2020
There is no comparability with previous years beginning with 2017.
The CCH events realized on the exhibition grounds during the revitalization phase are included in the Hamburg Messe figures.

Abroad

Number of trade fairs and exhibitions
5
19+1***
15
17+1***
14+1***
Of which joint events
5
15
14
16
14
Total exhibitors
38
703
347
702
404
Of which joint events
38
468
347
423
404
Additionally, INMEX SMM India took place as a digital trade fair in 2020.
*** EXPO participation

CCH – Congress Center Hamburg

Total events
 
 
 
 
226
Of which congresses and conferences
 
 
 
 
130
Of which other events
 
 
 
 
96
Total participants
 
 
 
 
292,763
Of which congresses and conferences
 
 
 
 
150,041
Of which other events
 
 
 
 
142,722
Information for the years 2017 to 2020 above under: Hamburg Messe

Balance Sheet / Income Statement

Assets as of December 31, 2020

 
2020
2019
1. Noncurrent assets
63,621
58,574
2. Current assets
39,720
31,140
Total ASSETS
103,341
89,714
All figures in € thousands

Liabilities as of December 31, 2020

1. Equity
11,679
11,679
2. Debt capital
91,662
78,035
Total LIABILITIES
103,341
89,714
All figures in € thousands

INCOME STATEMENT for the Fiscal Year from January 1 to December 31, 2020

1. Total revenue
21,524
69,863
2. Personnel expenses
18,644
21,427
3. Other expenses
61,070
79,753
4. Profit/loss before loss absorption
-58,190
-31,317
All figures in € thousands
On March 4, 2021, Ebner Stolz GmbH & Co. KG issued an unqualified audit opinion for the complete annual financial statements and management report.

CONDENSED 2020 MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Business and economic environment

1. The German Trade Fair and Exhibition Market

The 2020 fiscal year was heavily influenced by the restrictions associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to preliminary calculations by the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA), trade fair business declined in 2020, dropping by approximately 70% compared to the planned revenue of around 4 billion euros. Only 114 of the 355 international, national, and regional trade fairs were able to be realized. The coronavirus pandemic will also make itself felt by the events business in 2021 as well; in-person events are not expected again until the second half of the year.

2. International Business

The Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) support German exhibitors at overseas trade fairs with their international trade fair program. Due to the pandemic, most events around the world were canceled or postponed in 2020.

To date, 327 participations are planned for the BMWi for 2021. The BMEL is planning 46 participations, but a high number of cancellations should be expected due to the pandemic.

3. The National and International Congress and Conference Business

The global event economy within the congress sector has also been deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic: with regard to the performance of the domestic and international congress market, no complete figures are available yet for 2020. According to an Extra study on the effects of the coronavirus on the German event market, the volume of events decreased in particular during the months of April (–96.4 percent) and May (–94.1 percent). These losses gradually decreased through September, but they still amounted to around two-thirds (down 67.2 percent) at the end of the period under review. In addition to the cancellation of events, this was exacerbated by restrictions in the realization of the events that were able to take place. For instance, a mere 30 percent of seating was available due to the hygiene regulations. The loss in revenue for event locations is estimated at an average of 65.4 percent for the year 2020.

B. Business Development of HMC

In 2020, HMC generated revenue of 20.2 million euros; this figure is 84.1 million euros lower compared to the reference year 2018. While the planned event business was still able to continue in the months of January and February, the coronavirus pandemic negatively affected the economic development of HMC beginning in March, causing cancellations and postponements of events.

1. Hamburg Messe Division

In the Hamburg Messe Division, only five of the 12 planned events were able to be realized. Except for WindEnergy, which took place digitally in December, all HMC-managed events were held in the first two months of the year. While the realization of SMM was postponed to 2021, all other trade fairs were canceled.

The 17th NORTEC took place from January 21 to 24, 2020, as a trade fair and campus for SMEs. Although the number of exhibitors fell by 11.3 percent compared to the prior year’s event due to the difficult development in the industry, the rented area remained largely at the same level. The planned increase in the number of visitors was not achieved. The partnership with solutions.hamburg, the largest digital congress in Hamburg, was successfully continued, with the aim of strengthening the connection between the industrial sector and IT.

The premiere of the HAMBURG OPEN took place on the exhibition grounds from January 22 to 23, 2020. This event is organized by HMC as the financial sponsor in partnership with Studio Hamburg MCI. A total of 130 exhibitors and nearly 1,600 professional visitors came together at this innovation and networking event for the broadcast and media technology industry.

From January 24 to 26, 2020, HOME² – an exhibition for real estate, construction, and renovation – took place for the fourth time. While the number of exhibitors and the rented space were at the same level as the previous year, the number of visitors increased by 3.9 percent.

The third edition of the OOHH! The LeisureWorlds of Hamburg Messe – with its individual brands REISEN HAMBURG, KREUZFAHRTWELT HAMBURG, CARAVANING HAMBURG, RAD HAMBURG, FOTOHAVEN HAMBURG, and AUTOTAGE HAMBURG – took place from February 5 to 9, 2020, on the exhibition grounds. OOHH!! once again benefited from the positive atmosphere in the caravan industry, which drove up rented space by 13.1 percent compared to the preceding event.

WINDENERGY, which was originally scheduled to take place from September 22 to 25, 2020, took place from December 1 to 4, 2020. Due to the developments in the pandemic, WINDENERGY was realized in a digital format. The goal was to generate revenue through the digital presentation of exhibitor profiles; due to technical difficulties, however, this could not be realized by the beginning of WINDENERGY, so the digital offering consisted of WindTV livestreams.

Pandemic-related cancellations resulted for the events INTERNORGA, HANSEPFERD, HAMBURG ANCORA YACHTFESTIVAL (in Neustadt, Holstein), THERAPIE HAMBURG, and GET NORD. Additionally, the HAFENGEBURTSTAG celebration, whose organization HMC was tasked with by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, was also canceled.

In the reporting year, a total of 45 events were scheduled to take place in the Guest Event division, of which 30 were realized, 14 were canceled, and one was postponed.

A total of 35 trade fairs and exhibitions were held in 2020 (reference year 2018: 43), including five HMC-managed events (four on the exhibition grounds, one digitally). Around 306,000 visitors attended the realized events; this figure was 723,000 in the reference year 2018. The gross rented space declined compared to the reference year 2018 by 61.6 percent to 418,561 square meters. Additionally, one CCH event was realized on the exhibition grounds with 12,147 square meters (gross) in space.

2. International Events Division

Every year, HMC organizes many joint participations in trade fairs, mainly on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). This year, the focus of the participations was on the maritime, oil and gas, hotel, gastronomy, and medical technology industries. In the reporting year, HMC realized two joint participations on behalf of the BMWi, and another 15 participations were canceled due to the pandemic. On behalf of the BMEL, HMC realized three German participations, one of which was an information booth. Another 11 participations were canceled due to the pandemic.

3. CCH Division

Since January 1, 2017, the CCH has been closed for the revitalization prescribed by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in 2014. During the scheduled renovation period, CCH customers were offered an interim solution on the exhibition grounds, the so-called A Solution. Due to a delay in construction, the new CCH was not able to open as planned on September 1, 2019. The opening was scheduled for a world medical congress in August 2020. Work being done at the CCH construction site went forward in fixed teams due to the hygiene and distancing regulations in light of the pandemic as well as work processes; however, the necessary work and deliveries were not completed on schedule. Planning and realization of the events booked for 2020 were thus no longer possible.

The majority of the planned congresses and events were rescheduled for 2021 or the following years, while other bookings were canceled. The only CCH event in 2020 was the annual conference of the Association of German Jurists, planned with 3,000 participants, which was realized at the beginning of September as a hybrid meeting under the strictest of hygiene and distancing regulations with 200 people at the exhibition grounds. More than 5,000 participants took part in the accompanying digital program.

C. Economic Situation

1. Development of Revenue

In 2020, HMC recorded revenue of 20.2 million euros (2018: 104.3 million euros). The total revenue of 2020 breaks down to the individual divisions as follows: Exhibition: 6.1 million euros; CCH: 0.1 million euros; Guest Events: 7.2 million euros; International Business: 1.5 million euros; Services: 2.9 million euros. Revenue from the Property division totaled 2.4 million euros.

2. Profit/Loss for the Year

The 2020 fiscal year ended with a loss for the year of 58.2 million euros before loss absorption by HGV. Due to the pandemic, the result for the year 2020 was 49.3 million euros lower than forecast.

3. Employees

At the end of 2020, not including student interns, HMC had 330 (2019: 319) employees, of which 292 had permanent and 38 temporary contracts (2019: 298 permanent and 21 temporary contracts). Expressed in FTEs, HMC had more than 268 as of year-end, representing no change compared to the previous year. In addition, HMC provided 22 apprenticeships for prospective event, office, and IT administrators, event technology specialists, and Bachelor of Arts (BA) students participating in dual-study programs.

HMC would like to keep expanding the share of women in management positions. As of the end of 2020, women accounted for 44 percent of the management positions.

4. Net Assets

Total assets increased by +13.6 million euros to 103.3 million euros in the year under review, resulting in a fall in the equity ratio from 13.0 percent to 11.3 percent.

5. Financial Position

A control-and-profit-transfer agreement and a group clearing agreement exist with the parent company HGV. The liquidity of the company is thereby guaranteed at all times.

D. Outlook, Risks, and Opportunities of Future Development

1. Outlook

Like the preceding year, the 2021 fiscal year will once again be significantly characterized by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Although SMM, which was postponed from 2020, took place as a digital event in February 2021, and INTERNORGA was also held as a digital event in March, a large number of events – including guest events in particular – were canceled. This also includes the HAFENGEBURTSTAG birthday celebration of Hamburg’s port that takes place each May, whose organization HMC was tasked with. More and more events should be taking place starting in September, some as postponements from 2020 or the first half of 2021. The coronavirus pandemic will also continue to have residual effects over the coming years, because planned price increases will likely only be able to be implemented with delays due to the cancellation of events.

HMC plans to continue its profitable growth. Hence, a strategy entitled “ROAD TO 2025” was developed, which describes the challenges, goals, and fields of action to reach this goal. Growth will be primarily achieved through the expansion of HMC’s own trade fairs, the acquisition of profitable guest events, and the realization of additional events in the CCH once it has reopened. Collaborations with other domestic and international trade fair organizers will also be considered and larger numbers of events acquired for the uneven years wherever possible. HMC is currently carrying out a strategy review, which takes current trends and developments into account. The topics of growth, digitization, and increasing maintenance expenses for exhibition halls represent particular challenges in this regard.

2. Earnings

For the 2021 fiscal year, HMC budgeted for revenue of 45.5 million euros, which represents a decrease of 22.4 million euros compared to the reference year. This decrease in revenue is primarily attributable to the ongoing impairment of the event industry due to the pandemic, which was particularly prevalent in the first half of the year. Planning assumes a loss for the year before loss absorption in the amount of around 58.0 million euros, which is due in particular to the restrictions associated with the pandemic and the significant costs arising from the real estate lease for the Neue Messe. At the present time, the full extent of the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic cannot yet be estimated.

Property costs will continue to have a negative impact on earnings in the coming years.

HGV will absorb the losses that are expected within the scope of the existing profit-and-loss-transfer agreement.

3. Risk Report

Risk Management

HMC maintains a risk management system that enables a timely and systematic analysis and evaluation of the company’s exposure to risk as well as the development of pertinent countermeasures. The analyses and assessments relate to both strategic and operational risks.

At present, HMC is unaware of any risks that could jeopardize its future development. Due to the prevalence of the coronavirus pandemic, fewer events will be taking place or more will be postponed in the 2021 fiscal year, which will have a negative impact on revenue and earnings for the 2021 fiscal year.

No financial risks are apparent.

Hamburg, March 04, 2021

Bernd Aufderheide
CEO

Uwe Fischer
CFO

Report of the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board regularly reviewed the situation and development of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH in the past fiscal year. In the year under review, it performed the duties incumbent upon it by law and the Articles of Association. The Supervisory Board continuously advised and monitored the Management Board of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH in its management of the company.

The Supervisory Board complied with the requirements of the Hamburg Corporate Governance Code and issued a statement of compliance together with the company’s Management Board.

The Management Board informed the Supervisory Board regularly, timely, and comprehensively in written and verbal form about the relevant issues of corporate planning, strategic development, and the results achieved in the company, including the risk situation.

The Supervisory Board held four ordinary meetings in the reporting year. Three Supervisory Board resolutions were also passed by circulation of documents. The Finance Committee as well as the Construction Committee both met twice. One ordinary meeting of the Human Resources Committee took place and two resolutions were passed by circulation of documents.

On June 17, 2020, the Annual General Meeting of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH appointed Ebner Stolz GmbH & Co. KG (EbnerStolz) to audit the company’s annual financial statements and to ensure the company’s due and proper conduct of business for the fiscal year from January 1 to December 31, 2020.

EbnerStolz audited the annual financial statements – consisting of balance sheet, income statement, and notes – together with the bookkeeping system and the management report for the fiscal year from January 1 to December 31, 2020.

The audit has not led to any reservations. In the opinion of EbnerStolz and based on the findings of its audit, the annual financial statements comply with the legal requirements and give a true and fair view of the company’s net assets, financial position, and results of operations in accordance with the German principles of proper accounting. The management report is consistent with the annual financial statements, provides a suitable overview of the company’s situation, and suitably presents the opportunities and risks of future development.

The Finance Committee at its meeting on May 19, 2021, and the Supervisory Board at its meeting on June 9, 2021 – both of which took place as videoconferences due to the coronavirus pandemic – examined the annual financial statements, the management report, and the report from EbnerStolz in detail. The Supervisory Board has no objections to these documents and agrees with the results of the auditor’s report. The Supervisory Board approves both the management report and the annual financial statements as of December 31, 2020.

The Supervisory Board would like to thank both the company’s management as well as the executives and all employees for their dedication and hard work during the 2020 fiscal year that was dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Hamburg, June 2021

State Secretary Andreas Rieckhof
Supervisory Board Chairman

Supervisory Board 2020

Andreas Rieckhof
Hamburg Ministry for Economics and Innovation (since July 15, 2020)

Dr. Torsten Sevecke
Hamburg Ministry for Economics, Transport, and Innovation (until June 30, 2020)

Brigitte Engler
City Management Hamburg

Jeanette Gonnermann
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Jutta Hartung
Hamburg Financial Authority

Kai Hollmann
Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH

Oliver Jensen
Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH

Martin Köppen
Hamburg Ministry for Economics and Innovation

Julia Wöhlke
Iwan Budnikowsky GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg

Hartmut Hofmann
Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH

Matthias Balz
Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH

Loretta Marsh
Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH

Frank Minak
Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH

Statement of Compliance with the Hamburg Corporate Governance Code (HCGC)

The Management Board and the Supervisory Board of Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) hereby declare:

“With one exception, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH complied with all the regulations of the Hamburg Corporate Governance Code, for which the Management Board and Supervisory Board were responsible during the 2019 fiscal year. The following item was not observed:

  • Section 5.1.5: The six-week period for distributing the minutes regarding resolutions made by the Supervisory Board could not be adhered to at all times, as the draft minutes had to be approved prior to their publication and the approval processes were not completed in time.

In the 2020 fiscal year, Mr. Aufderheide received total gross compensation of 313.711,32 euros, and Mr. Fischer received total gross compensation of 269.029,68. The breakdown of the total compensation can be viewed online at hamburg-messe.de

Hamburg, June 2021

State Secretary Andreas Rieckhof
Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Bernd Aufderheide
CEO

Uwe Fischer
CFO