For over 40 years, Mesago has been bringing people, markets, and future technologies together and for more than two decades as part of the Messe Frankfurt Group. Drawing on our experience as an organizer of specialized events, we are continuously refining our profile. Our focus: strategically supporting technological developments, promoting networking, and sustainably strengthening targeted industries.
1982 - 2000 | Founding & growth
1982
Mesago was founded in Remshalden. The company got its start with the “Haus-Energietechnik” trade show at the Sindelfingen exhibition grounds. (Employees: 4)
1987
Die SMT ES&S Hybrid launched in Sindelfingen. As a trade show featuring a conference, it showcased system integration in microelectronics. From 1987 to 2024, it was part of the Mesago portfolio, most recently under the name SMTconnect.
1988
EMV opened its doors
The EMV — Europe’s leading trade fair and conference on electromagnetic compatibility kicked off in Karlsruhe. Currently, the event takes place every two years, alternating between Cologne and Stuttgart.
1990
Launch of SPS/PC '90 and “Drives '90” in Sindelfingen – known today as SPS – Smart Production Solutions, the leading international trade fair for automation, hosted in Nuremberg.
2001 - 2010 | Growth & integration
2002
Mesago became part of the Messe Frankfurt Group
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress, and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds.
Acquisition of PCIM
The leading international event for power electronics – comprising a trade show and conference in Nuremberg – is added to the portfolio.
2010
„SPS goes international“
In its 20th year, the automation trade show—known at the time as SPS IPC Drives—expanded into Italy (SPS IPC Drives Italia) and China (Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou). (Employees: 61)
2011 - 2019 | Internationalization & innovation
2011
Mesago integrated the new PARKEN exhibition into its portfolio
From 2011 to 2025, Mesago was responsible for organizing and hosting PARKEN. It is the only German trade show dedicated to parking management.
2015
Must-see event Formnext started
The leading international trade show, which features a unique combination of additive manufacturing and conventional technologies, made its debut in Frankfurt am Main this November.
SPS IPC Drives expands into India and China
The SPS’s successful concept is continued abroad through its international satellite events, SPS Automation India (renamed Smart Industry Solutions India in 2017) and Smart Industry Solutions in Shanghai.
2019
SIAF celebrated its 10th anniversary
The SIAF—SPS Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou was held for the 10th time.
2020 - present | Digitalization & new markets
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic: New challenges for the event industry worldwide
Due to the global health situation, in-person events had to be canceled, postponed, or reimagined. Mesago respnds by expanding its digital and hybrid events as well as other communication formats.
These include:
- EMV goes digital
- PCIM Europe digital days
- SMTconnect goes digital
- Formnext connect and
- SPS connect
In addition, Mesago sets up its own webcast studio, where various digital formats are produced in-house.
2021
Successful debut of Formnext + PM South China
Due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Formnext + PM South China could take place in person in Shenzhen for the first time. Today, it is known as formnext Asia Shenzhen.
2024
SPS expanded to the USA
The SPS brand made its debut on the U.S. market as “Automation Sector powered by SPS” at IMTS.
2025
PCIM goes global
This year, the Indian edition of PCIM made its debut in New Delhi. (Employees: over 170)
2026
SPS conquered new markets worldwide
It is part of Automation Thailand and covers five key areas: industrial automation, robotics, inspection and measurement technology, the digital factory, and warehouse and logistics automation.
SPS Stage Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The SPS Stage takes place as part of Intelligent Manufacturing in Kuala Lumpur — a conference-driven event that informs companies about the digital transformation in manufacturing.
This new international SPS format will take place for the first time as part of SecuTec Vietnam in Hanoi.