What Fwd: does

fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. is a German registered industry association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2021 and headquartered in Bielefeld, operating as the principal collective voice for Germany's events and live communication sector. It characterises the industry as Germany's sixth-largest economic sector, citing €81 billion in direct core revenue, €151 billion in total GDP impact, 1.13 million direct employees, and 243,000 companies. The association serves five primary member segments — event agencies, exhibition and trade show builders, technical service providers, event locations/venues, and caterers — through eight regional Landesvertretungen, with Bavaria founded on September 26, 2024 as the most recent regional expansion.

Its product surface is anchored on the membership organisation itself, complemented by a wholly-owned subsidiary fwd: Servicegesellschaft mbH that operates a procurement cooperative of approximately 300 vetted partners (~140 buyers and ~130 contract suppliers) for exhibition, trade show, and event construction. Education and certification offerings include the ISO 20121 Konvoi sustainability programme co-run with IFES (six cohorts since 2022, 35+ member companies in the certification pipeline), the Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) certification (€645/month over 15 months plus €395 exam fee) with Studieninstitut für Kommunikation and IGVW, the new Kreation & Konzeption course, Projektmanagement Veranstaltungswirtschaft, and the Sachkundige Montageleitung im Messebau programme with the Akademie der Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf. Industry research products include the bi-annual HR & Gehaltsstudie and the Diversitätsreport, both produced with R.I.F.E.L. institute. The association has no proprietary technology platform; its offering is fundamentally advocacy, networking, certification, and research.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring membership subscriptions across individual, personal, and corporate tiers, course and certification fees (with 15% member discounts), event sponsorship and submissions (Bundeskonferenz Veranstaltungswirtschaft, BrandEx Award, wtf – we transform future), and procurement-related income from fwd: Servicegesellschaft. International reach is delivered through the IFES partnership covering 350+ member companies in 45+ countries. Strategic partnerships with R.I.F.E.L., Studieninstitut, IST-Hochschule, Westfalenhallen (BOE International), BlachReport (BrandEx Award), Better Stands, and cross-association collaborators GCB, AUMA, and BDKV underpin the certification, education, advocacy, and event portfolios.

Name

Fwd:

Legal name

fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V.

Website

https://forward.live

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. is a German industry association serving the country's events and live communication sector through political advocacy, sustainability certification (ISO 20121), professional education, industry research, and a procurement cooperative connecting approximately 300 partners across agencies, exhibition builders, technical providers, venues, and caterers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services (Event Industry)

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Professional Organizations (813920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable & Responsible Incentives (Carbon Management, ESG Reporting) (THAHADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Venue Sourcing & Contracting (Hotels, Conference Centers) (THACAFAC)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Event industry networking
• Sustainability certification programs
• Professional training courses
• Procurement cooperative services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rheda-wiedenbrück

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from individual supporters, personal memberships, and corporate/company memberships. The association offers diverse membership models providing different levels of participation.
2. Service Company Operations: fwd: Servicegesellschaft mbH operates as a procurement cooperative and marketplace connecting approximately 300 partners for exhibition construction, trade show building, and event construction services.
3. Educational Programs: Revenue from professional development courses including 'Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW)' at 645 EUR/month plus exam fees, 'Kreation & Konzeption', 'Projektmanagement Veranstaltungswirtschaft', and 'Sachkundige Montageleitung im Messebau' - with 15% discount for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. is a German industry association (eingetragener Verein) that provides political advocacy, sustainability certification (ISO 20121), professional education, networking events, and procurement cooperation services for the event and live communication industry. It operates the fwd: Servicegesellschaft mbH subsidiary as a procurement cooperative of approximately 300 partners for exhibition and event construction services.

Product overview

fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. is a professional association for Germany's event and exhibition industry, operating as a unified platform with multiple interconnected service offerings. The core is the association itself, supported by the fwd: Servicegesellschaft mbH procurement network (approx. 300 partners), the fwd:podcast for industry knowledge sharing, and regional Landesvertretungen chapters. Major initiatives include the annual Bundeskonferenz political conference, the BrandEx Award creative competition (co-organized), and the wtf industry transformation event. Education and certification offerings span the ISO 20121 Konvoi sustainability training program, the Quick Guide ISO 20121 publication (with IFES), HR & salary studies, and diversity reports (with R.I.F.E.L.). These offerings collectively serve the industry's advocacy, professional development, networking, and sustainability advancement needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bundeskonferenz Veranstaltungswirtschaft: Annual cross-organizational platform for networking and political representation of the events industry, bringing together all stakeholders from solo self-employed to large associations.
• BrandEx Award
• wtf – we transform future
• fwd:podcast
• fwd: Servicegesellschaft

Products and services

• fwd: Membership Tiered membership program offering corporate, personal, and individual supporter tiers for event industry companies and professionals in Germany. Members gain political representation, networking access, training discounts, and inclusion in regional Landesvertretungen activities.
• fwd: Servicegesellschaft mbH Procurement cooperative operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary connecting approximately 300 vetted partners (~140 buyer partners and ~130 contract suppliers) for exhibition construction, display building, and event construction services in Germany.
• ISO 20121 Konvoi Certification Program Year-long training program accompanying event industry companies in implementing sustainable event management systems per ISO 20121 standard. Includes workshops, peer learning, and practical implementation support. Co-administered with IFES (International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services).
• Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) Certification Course 15-month professional certification course (60 ECTS) for event industry commercial staff, offered in partnership with Studieninstitut für Kommunikation and IGVW. Costs 645 EUR per month plus 395 EUR examination fee, with 15% discount for IGVW and fwd: members.
• Lehrgang Kreation & Konzeption Educational course on storytelling, dramaturgy, and innovative event concept development, offered through the Studieninstitut partnership. Designed for event professionals seeking creative and conceptual skills.
• Projektmanagement Veranstaltungswirtschaft Course Project management training program tailored for the event industry, delivered in cooperation with the Studieninstitut für Kommunikation in Düsseldorf.
• Sachkundige Montageleitung im Messebau Course Qualified Assembly Management training program for exhibition construction, jointly provided with the Akademie der Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf starting November 2025.
• Bundeskonferenz Veranstaltungswirtschaft Annual national conference uniting the German event industry with politics and stakeholders. Develops and prioritizes industry demands and political proposals, including the Forderungsmemorandum presented to the German federal government.
• wtf – we transform future Biennial industry event format focused on future transformation of the event industry, featuring panels, talks, workshops, and networking across three stages with seven themed areas covering People, Business, Sustainability, Politics, and Forward.
• BrandEx Award Annual creative competition recognizing outstanding projects in live communication and brand architecture, with categories for Event, Architecture, Special, and Fresh (young talent) segments. 147 total submissions received in 2026 cycle with 47 projects awarded.
• Quick Guide ISO 20121 Practice-oriented book for implementing ISO 20121 sustainability management standard in event companies. Published in collaboration with IFES by Springer Gabler. Includes case studies from industry practitioners; the only German-language practical guide on this topic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% economic events share - events are the primary channel for B2B relationships and export market development
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Better Stands StandardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025fwd: Servicegesellschaft acts as an audited assessor for the Better Stands certification program. Silke Schulte (Managing Director) evaluates trade show stand concepts using a 10-point framework focused on multi-use and material efficiency.
• IST-Hochschule für ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Strategic education partnership for dual study programs in 'Kommunikation & Eventmanagement', 'Kommunikation & Medienmanagement', and 'Business Administration' to support member companies in recruiting and developing qualified professionals.
• Studieninstitut für KommunikationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Over 10-year partnership for professional education. Co-develops and delivers courses including 'Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW)' certification (15-month program, 60 ECTS), 'Kreation & Konzeption', 'Projektmanagement Veranstaltungswirtschaft', and 'Sachkundige Montageleitung im Messebau'. Also co-initiates the BrandEx Award.
• IFES (International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal industry association for trade show designers and exhibition/event service providers. fwd: and IFES jointly operate the ISO 20121 certification Konvoi program (5 successful cohorts since 2022 with ~50 companies certified) and co-published the 'Quick Guide ISO 20121' through Springer Gabler. Over 350 member companies from 45+ countries benefit from this partnership.
• R.I.F.E.L. (Research Institute for Exhibition and Live-Communication e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by fwd: and TU Chemnitz, R.I.F.E.L. is the first international research institute for the live communication industry. Produces major industry studies including the Metastudie on economic significance (81B EUR revenue, 1.13M employees), HR & Gehaltsstudie (salary benchmarking across 8 segments), and Diversitätsreport on diversity & inclusion.
• IGVW (Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the 'Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW)' certification program with updated curriculum for 2025 including AI, diversity, sustainability, and modern security procedures. fwd: members receive 15% discount on course fees.
• GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpen membership in the ISO 20121 Konvoi program at special rates for members of GCB and other associations as part of regular association exchange on sustainability topics.
• AUMA Ausstellungs- und Messe-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpen membership in the ISO 20121 Konvoi program at special rates for members as part of cross-association sustainability initiatives.
• BDKV (Bundesverband der Konzert- und Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V.)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpen membership in the ISO 20121 Konvoi program at special rates for BDKV members as part of cross-association sustainability initiatives.
• Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe GmbH (Messe Dortmund)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-initiator of the BrandEx Award (International Festival of Brand Experience) and host of BOE International trade fair where fwd: maintains a 700+ sqm joint stand in Hall 5.
• BlachReport/AktivMedia GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-initiator of the BrandEx Award and strategic media partner for industry communication.
• Akademie der Handwerkskammer DüsseldorfminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint provider of 'Sachkundige Montageleitung im Messebau' (Qualified Assembly Management in Exhibition Construction) training program starting November 2025.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EVVC Europäischer Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren e.V. EVVC is the European association of event venues and convention centers, directly comparable to fwd: as an industry body serving an overlapping segment of the events economy with similar venue-side advocacy, sustainability initiatives, and member certification programs.
• IFES International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services: IFES is the global federation for exhibition and event service providers with 350+ members in 45+ countries, directly comparable to fwd: as a top-tier industry association partner running the jointly-operated ISO 20121 Konvoi. Strategic core partner that co-publishes the Quick Guide ISO 20121 with Springer Gabler.
• GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. GCB is the national convention and congress marketing organization for Germany, directly comparable to fwd: as a peer industry advocacy body serving an overlapping segment of the MICE/events industry. Both associations jointly participate in fwd:'s ISO 20121 Konvoi program and represent German event industry stakeholders at federal and state levels.
• AUMA Ausstellungs- und Messe-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V. AUMA is Germany's national trade fair and exhibition industry association, directly comparable to fwd: as it represents an overlapping sub-vertical (exhibition/trade shows) of the same events economy. fwd: and AUMA already coordinate on ISO 20121 sustainability initiatives via the Konvoi program, confirming operational comparability.
• BDKV Bundesverband der Konzert- und Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. BDKV is the federal association for the concert and live entertainment industry in Germany, directly comparable to fwd: as a German industry advocacy body for an overlapping sub-vertical of the live events economy. BDKV members participate in fwd:'s ISO 20121 Konvoi program, confirming cross-membership and structural overlap.

Emerging players

• IAPCO International Association of Professional Congress Organizers: IAPCO is a specialized international association for professional congress organizers, comparable to fwd: in representing a focused MICE sub-vertical with similar quality standards, accreditation, and member service models but on a narrower scope.
• SITE Society of Incentive & Travel Executives International: SITE is a specialized international association for the incentive travel industry, comparable to fwd:'s incentive-focused sub-segments (relevant to THAHADAO MICE sub-category). SITE operates a narrower scope — incentive travel specifically — but with similar certification, education, and member community models.

Broad incumbents

• ICCA International Congress and Convention Association: ICCA is the global broad-incumbent industry association for the international meetings and events industry, comparable to fwd: as a higher-level umbrella body covering MICE sector advocacy, benchmarking research, and international standards — but with a broader international remit and a longer-established member roster.
• MPI Meeting Professionals International: MPI is a broad-incumbent international association for meeting and event professionals, comparable to fwd: in offering education, certification, community, and advocacy services for the MICE industry — but with a global footprint and individual-membership model versus fwd:'s corporate/employer-focused German approach.
• PCMA Professional Convention Management Association: PCMA is a broad-incumbent international association for convention and meeting professionals with comparable offerings in education, certification, advocacy, and industry research. Comparable to fwd: in scope and member value proposition, but focused on North America with global extension.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fwd.bundesvereinigung.Veranstaltungswirtschaft
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forward-live
• Instagraminstagram.com/forward_live
• Xx.com/fwd_live

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fwd: