Olma Messen St.Gallen

What Olma Messen St.Gallen does

Olma Messen St.Gallen AG is a privately held Swiss Aktiengesellschaft operating the leading exhibition, congress, and event venue in St.Gallen, Switzerland. The company organizes a portfolio of proprietary trade fairs and rents its multi-hall complex to corporate, congress, and cultural event organizers. Its flagship events OLMA (Swiss trade fair for agriculture and food, 80+ year history, 335,000 visitors over 11 days, 600+ exhibitors) and OFFA (spring lifestyle fair) make it the only Swiss venue hosting two large-scale public trade fairs. Supporting formats include Tier&Technik (agriculture and technology), GASTIA (hospitality), OBA (education), and newer launches preXcon (precision-technology congress and exhibition, November 2026), Treffpunkt Holz (wood and forestry industry, January 2027), and Schlagerfestival St.Gallen (consumer music event, May 2026).

The company monetizes across four primary streams: own trade fair organization (exhibitor booth sales, ticketing, catering), venue and hall rental to third-party organizers, full-service corporate event management (including themed Christmas packages at CHF 40-70 per person), and consumer ticket sales via the SecuTix cloud-based ticketing platform. Distribution combines direct field sales with dedicated sales managers per event format, an online exhibitor self-service portal, and named contact persons for corporate bookings. The technology stack is primarily operational (SecuTix ticketing, Google/Facebook/Snapchat pixels, Swiss Post address API), with a year-round Digital Layer for preXcon and a utility-grade website chatbot. Underlying technology does not appear to be a differentiator; the moat rests on venue infrastructure, 80-year brand equity, and a concentrated 620,000-visitor footfall across 120+ annual events.

The company employs approximately 90 staff and operates exclusively in Switzerland, with strong regional roots in Eastern Switzerland and national reach through flagship fairs. It is supported by a deep institutional partnership stack across research, government, and industry bodies (OST, CSEM, RhySearch, Switzerland Innovation Park Ost, Canton of St.Gallen, Swissmem, Swissphotonics, Universität St.Gallen, PGLR) and runs the xpose startup program to build a future exhibitor pipeline. Ownership is private with shareholder structure via 'Aktien'; no parent company, private equity sponsor, or M&A activity is disclosed.

Name

Olma Messen St.Gallen

Legal name

Olma Messen St.Gallen AG

Website

https://olma-messen.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Olma Messen St.Gallen AG operates Switzerland's leading exhibition and event venue in St.Gallen, hosting flagship public trade fairs OLMA and OFFA plus 120+ events annually that draw 620,000 visitors and 600+ exhibitors, serving corporate event clients, B2B exhibitors, and Swiss consumer audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Fair and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro primary industry

General & Multi-Industry Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers (THAHABAM), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Trade fair venue
• Exhibition center
• Congress hosting
• Corporate event services
• Public trade shows

Headquarters

HQ city

Stallen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Venue and Hall Rental: Rental of exhibition halls and spaces to exhibitors, corporate event organizers, congress hosts, and cultural event producers. Revenue from booth/stand rentals, catering exclusivity, and infrastructure services.
2. Own Trade Shows (Eigenmessen): Organizing proprietary trade shows (OLMA, OFFA, OBA, preXcon, Tier&Technik, Gastia, Treffpunkt Holz) as the primary revenue driver. Revenue generated from exhibitor booth sales, ticket sales to visitors, catering, and associated services.
3. Event Services: Full-service event management for corporate events, congresses, and cultural events. Includes event conception, scenography, catering, technical production, and on-site management. Christmas event packages with themed venues (Karussell der Sinne, Funky Frost) at CHF 40-70 per person.
4. Ticket Sales: Consumer ticket sales for public trade shows and events via SecuTix ticketing platform.
5. Startup Support (xpose): Free stand space provided to qualified startups at select trade shows; revenue generated indirectly through exhibitor ecosystem growth and long-term customer acquisition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Olma Messen St.Gallen AG operates a multi-hall trade fair, congress, and event venue in St.Gallen, Switzerland. It produces and hosts a portfolio of proprietary trade shows (OLMA, OFFA, Tier&Technik, GASTIA, OBA, preXcon, Treffpunkt Holz, olmaPLAZA) and provides full-service corporate event, congress, and cultural event hosting including conception, scenography, catering, technical production, and on-site management.

Product overview

Olma Messen St.Gallen operates a diversified portfolio of trade fair, congress, and event products at its St. Gallen venue. The core portfolio includes two flagship public trade fairs — OLMA (Switzerland's largest trade fair for agriculture and food, 330,000+ visitors) and OFFA (major spring lifestyle fair) — making it the only Swiss trade fair site with two large-scale public consumer fairs. Supporting the flagship fairs are specialty trade fairs Tier&Technik (agriculture and technology), GASTIA (hospitality), OBA (education and continuing development), and Treffpunkt Holz (wood and forestry industry). A newer professional offering is preXcon, a precision technology platform combining a trade congress (Content Hub) with a trade exhibition (Marketplace). Add-on products include xpose (free startup exhibition stands), olmaPLAZA (multi-day event platform), the OLMA Action Area (interactive experience zone), and invent (event ideation workshop). The company also operates service divisions for corporate events (Firmenevents), congress and conference management (CongressEvents St.Gallen), and themed event packages including Christmas celebrations. Together, the portfolio spans approximately 120 events annually, drawing over 600,000 visitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OLMA: Swiss trade show for agriculture and nutrition, the largest and most popular public trade show in Switzerland with over 330,000 visitors and 600+ exhibitors
• OFFA
• Tier&Technik
• Gastia
• OBA
• preXcon
• Treffpunkt Holz
• olmaPLAZA
• xpose
• CongressEvents St.Gallen

Products and services

• OLMA Switzerland's largest and most popular public trade fair for agriculture and food, held annually in St.Gallen. The 83rd edition runs October 8-18, 2026 with the guest canton of Schwyz under the motto 'OLMA – und Action!'. Attracts 330,000+ visitors and 600+ exhibitors across 12 themed areas.
• OFFA Major spring trade fair for lifestyle, home, garden, and wellness, and one of the two large public trade fairs at the Olma Messen St.Gallen site. Positions itself as the largest spring event in the St.Gallen region.
• Tier&Technik Specialized trade fair focused on agriculture and technology. Serves as a professional platform for the agricultural sector and related technology providers.
• GASTIA Specialized trade fair for hospitality and gastronomy, connecting food service professionals with industry suppliers and trends.
• OBA – Ostschweizer Messe für Aus- und Weiterbildung Eastern Swiss trade fair for education and continuing professional development, held August 27-30, 2026. Targets career starters, re-entrants, and those seeking new directions. Includes career championships, guided tours, and a lecture program.
• preXcon Platform for innovation and technology transfer in precision technology, combining a professional congress (Content Hub) with a trade exhibition (Marketplace). Targets companies in optics, photonics, mechanical engineering, medical technology, microtechnology, automation, automotive, and aerospace.
• Treffpunkt Holz One-day event bringing together the Swiss wood and forestry industry for networking, continuing education, and interactive exhibition. Features 10+ workshops and presentations. Expected 40+ exhibitors and 900 visitors on January 29, 2027.
• olmaPLAZA Multi-day trade fair and event platform featured alongside the OLMA, offering additional programming and experiences during the main fair period.
• Firmenevents (Corporate Events) Full-service corporate event management including jubilees, staff celebrations, and client events. Covers venue rental, catering, 360° event services, conception and scenography, and exhibitor administration. Includes themed Christmas event packages in Halls 2.0 and 3.1.
• CongressEvents St.Gallen Congress and conference services managed by Olma Messen St.Gallen, leveraging the company's modern infrastructure and professional project teams for a wide range of event types.
• Schlagerfestival St.Gallen Music event held at the Olma Messen St.Gallen venue, featuring popular Schlager music acts. Premiered in 2026 with over 2,800 attendees in the St.Galler Kantonalbank Halle. Second edition planned for April 3, 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• 620,000 annual visitors across 120+ events
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OST – Ostschweizer FachhochschulecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey academic partner for preXcon, contributing to the Content Hub (Fachkongress) and session development. Professor Dr. Knut Siercks, Departementsleiter Technik at OST, is a featured speaker. OST is represented on the Strategic Board of preXcon. Also partner for Treffpunkt Holz and exhibits at OBA.
• CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for preXcon, co-developing the Content Hub and session content. Contributes to Precision4Health and Photonics4Fabrication sessions.
• RhySearch (Forschungs- und Innovationszentrum Rheintal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and innovation partner for preXcon. Responsible for Precision Manufacturing session content.
• Switzerland Innovation Park OstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner for preXcon, co-developing the session 'Von der Idee zum Impact: Wie aus Innovation erfolgreiches Business wird.' Also a Treffpunkt Holz partner.
• Silberberger ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Schlager Festival St.Gallen, a major public music event at Olma Messen. Successful sold-out premiere in 2026 with 2,800+ guests. Second edition planned for April 2027.
• Gade WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Schlager Festival St.Gallen alongside Silberberger Management and Olma Messen. Contributed to the successful sold-out premiere with positive artist and audience feedback.
• Vadian Event AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Muted Daydance, a co-event held on the Olma Messen racecourse. The event attracted over 8,600 visitors and was sold out. Returns in 2027.
• Alltag AgenturminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt.Gallen-based creative agency that designed the OLMA 2026 visual concept and Sujet ('OLMA – und Action!'). Responsible for graphic design, concept, camera work, and motion design.
• FIVE AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency responsible for adaptation and rollout of OLMA 2026 visual concept and Sujet.
• SecuTix Solutions SAcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of SecuTix cloud-based ticketing solution used by Olma Messen for ticket sales and voucher redemption. Located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• Dachmarke Schweizer AlpkäsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of the 25th Alp Cheese Award at OLMA. Provides CHF 14,000 in prize money across 5 categories. Co-sponsors include various cantonal and regional cheese organizations.
• Lignum Holzkette St.GallenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Treffpunkt Holz (Swiss wood and forest industry event). Lignum is the umbrella organization for wood in St.Gallen.
• ibw (Industrieboden Wengi)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Treffpunkt Holz (wood industry event).
• SICH (Swiss Industrial Heritage)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Treffpunkt Holz (wood industry event).
• Kanton St.Gallen (Volkswirtschaftsdepartement)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-funder and supporter of preXcon. The Canton of St.Gallen is the guest canton of OLMA 2026 (Schwyz is guest canton; Kanton St.Gallen is the host). The Standortförderung Kanton St.Gallen is represented on the preXcon Strategic Board.
• Swissmem / Swiss Additive Manufacturing GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partner for preXcon, contributing to the Additive Manufacturing session. Swissmem is represented on the preXcon Strategic Board.
• Swissphotonics / Photonics BoostercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partner for preXcon, co-developing the Photonics4Fabrication session and Sensor Innovation Hub content.
• Universität St.Gallen – Institut für Produktions- und Supply Chain ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for preXcon, contributing to the session 'Resiliente Lieferketten in unsicheren Zeiten.' HSG-PSCM represented on the preXcon Strategic Board.
• Parlamentarische Gruppe Luft- und Raumfahrt (PGLR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for preXcon, co-developing the 'New Space Economy' session. PGLR is a parliamentary group bringing together aerospace industry stakeholders.
• St.Galler Blasmusikverband (SGBV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEhrengast (honorary guest) of OLMA 2027, designing a multifaceted program including opening ceremony, special exhibition, and traditional OLMA parade. Supported by St.Galler Lotteriefonds and Olma Messen St.Gallen.
• Kanton SchwyzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest canton (Ehrengast) of the 83rd OLMA 2026. Presents authentic Schwyz culture, products, and traditions through a 1,000 m² special exhibition, livestock show, culinary offerings, and parade with ~1,300 participants.
• St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor of the St.Galler Kantonalbank Halle, the primary hall used for congresses and large events including Schlager Festival St.Gallen and OLMA. Also hosts SGKB Investors Days.
• Schwyzer Kantonalbank (SZKB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of OLMA travel ticket for visitors from Kanton Schwyz, offering discounted train tickets to OLMA 2026.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MCH Group (Messe Basel): Swiss-headquartered trade show and event organizer operating major Basel venues and globally significant brands (Art Basel). Direct comparable: another Swiss-listed exhibition company running flagship public and B2B fairs plus venue rental for congresses and corporate events.
• Messe Luzern: Swiss trade fair and congress venue in Lucerne hosting own fairs (Luga) plus corporate and congress events. Comparable in scale and multi-format Swiss regional venue model.
• Palexpo Geneva: Geneva-based Swiss exhibition and congress center hosting both own trade shows and third-party events (e.g., Geneva Motor Show historically). Directly comparable as another major Swiss venue with own-fair and rental business lines.
• Messe Zürich: Major Swiss trade fair venue in Zurich hosting both consumer fairs (e.g., Züspa) and B2B events. Directly comparable as another Swiss exhibition venue competing for national exhibitor and corporate event budgets.
• BernExpo: Swiss exhibition and congress venue in Bern running own trade shows (BEA horse fair) and hosting corporate and cultural events. Comparable as a regional Swiss trade show organizer with multi-vertical event portfolio.

Regional players

• Easyfairs: European exhibition organizer running niche B2B trade shows across multiple countries with a portfolio-model approach. Comparable as a multi-vertical event organizer focused on accessible, regional trade shows — adjacent geography to Olma Messen's domestic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Koelnmesse: One of Europe's largest trade fair operators running flagship global B2B events (gamescom, Anuga) plus consumer shows. Comparable as a multi-format exhibition company, though at much larger scale and with international brand portfolio.
• Reed Exhibitions (RX): Global trade show organizer (owned by RELX) running hundreds of B2B events worldwide. Comparable as a portfolio exhibition business, though operates at global scale and primarily B2B rather than the consumer+B2B mix Olma Messen runs.
• Messe Frankfurt: Global trade fair organizer with broad B2B and consumer event portfolio (Ambiente, Heimtextil). Comparable as a venue-and-organizer hybrid, though operates at significantly larger international scale than Olma Messen.

Emerging players

• Congressi Stefano Franscini (ETH Zurich congress venue operator): Swiss academic congress facility operator focused on knowledge-transfer events. Comparable as a Swiss congress-hosting venue though much narrower scope (academic-only) versus Olma Messen's broader B2B/B2C/cultural portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/olma.messen.ch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/olma-messen-st.gallen
• Instagraminstagram.com/olma_messen_st_gallen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

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 Olma Messen St.Gallen