Data Protection at MESSE ESSEN GmbH

The data controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection laws of the Member States, as well as other data protection provisions, is:

MESSE ESSEN GmbH                       
Messeplatz 1
D-45131 Essen
Phone: +49.(0)201.7244.0
info@messe-essen.de
www.messe-essen.de

CEO
Oliver P. Kuhrt
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Thomas Kufen (Lord Mayor)

Contact details of the Data Protection Officer

SystemDatenschutzConsulting
Rebenlaube 12
45133 Essen

datenschutz@messe-essen.de
www.systemdatenschutzconsulting.de

General Data Protection Notice

I. General information about visiting the website

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

As a general rule, we collect and process our users’ personal data only to the extent necessary to provide a fully functional website and our content and services. The processing of our users’ personal data generally takes place only with the user’s consent. An exception applies in cases where it is not possible to obtain consent in advance for practical reasons, where the data is publicly available, where the user provides it directly when making contact, or where the processing of the data is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Where we obtain the data subject’s consent for the processing of personal data, Article 6(1)(a) of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person, Article 6(1)(d) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis.

Where processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, and the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not override the former interest, Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.

3. Data erasure and retention period

The data subject’s personal data will be erased or restricted as soon as the purpose for which it was stored no longer applies. Data may also be stored if this is provided for by European or national legislation in EU regulations, laws or other provisions to which the controller is subject. Data will also be blocked or deleted when a retention period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need to continue storing the data for the conclusion or performance of a contract.

4. Rights of the data subject

The data subject has the right to request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning them is being processed; if this is the case, they have the right to access that personal data and to receive the following information:

a. the purposes of the processing;
b. the categories of personal data being processed;
c. the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular where recipients are in third countries or are international organisations;
d. where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
e. the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning them, or to restriction of processing by the controller, or a right to object to such processing;
f. the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;
g. where the personal data are not collected from the data subject, any available information as to the source of the data;

You also have the right to restrict the processing of this data and the right to data portability. If you have given us your consent, you may withdraw it with effect from the future. You may contact the Data Protection Officer at any time regarding this matter or any other questions you may have about data protection. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.

Competent supervisory authority:
State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, North Rhine-Westphalia
Postfach 20 04 44
40102 Düsseldorf
Phone: 0211 / 38424-0
Fax: 0211 / 38424-10
poststelle@ldi.nrw.de
www.ldi.nrw.de

To exercise your data protection rights, please contact datenschutz@messe-essen.de

5. Disclosure of data to third parties

In order for us to process your data for the purposes mentioned above, we may need to pass your data on to selected partner companies. Where necessary, we have entered into a data processing agreement with the recipients. These services include, in particular, ticketing, mailings, stand construction services and catalogue listings.

Furthermore, we may pass your data on to third parties where this is necessary to fulfil our service offerings. These may include, in particular, the following partners: transport companies (for orders), banks and payment service providers, and credit reference agencies. Data may also be disclosed if we are obliged to do so to public authorities or pursuant to a court order.

We do not transfer any personal data to third parties outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

In the event of a credit risk, we will transfer your data (name, address, email address, company details and, where applicable, contract and debt details) to Coface Debitorenmanagement GmbH, Isaac-Fulda-Allee 1, 55124 Mainz, and, where applicable, to other cooperating credit reference agencies. The legal basis for this transfer is Article 6(1)(b) and Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. Transfers on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR may only take place insofar as this is necessary to pursue the legitimate interests of our company and does not override the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data. Detailed information about our contractual partner, Coface, within the meaning of Article 14 of the GDPR – namely, its business purpose, the purpose of data storage there, the legal basis, Coface’s data recipients, the right of access, the right to erasure and rectification, and profiling – can be found at http://www.coface.de/Home/Allgemeine-Informationen/Datenschutz

II. Hosting of the website and creation of log files

Every time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing device.

The following data is collected in this process:

1. Information about the browser type and version used
2. The user’s operating system
3. The user’s IP address
4. The date and time of access

The data is also stored in our system’s log files. This data is not stored together with any other personal data relating to the user. The legal basis for the temporary storage of the data and the log files is Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.
The system’s temporary storage of the IP address is necessary to enable the website to be delivered to the user’s computer. To this end, the user’s IP address must be stored for the duration of the session. The data is stored in log files to ensure the website functions properly. The data also helps us to optimise the website and ensure the security of our IT systems. The data is not analysed for marketing purposes in this context. These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of data collected for the purpose of providing the website, this is the case once the relevant session has ended. In the case of data stored in log files, this occurs after seven days at the latest.
The collection of data for the purpose of providing the website and the storage of this data in log files is essential for the operation of the website. Consequently, users have no right to object.

III. Use of cookies

Our website uses session cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored by your web browser on your device when you visit a website. When a user accesses a website, a cookie may be stored on the user's operating system. This cookie contains a unique character string that enables the browser to be identified when the website is visited again. Cookies are not used to create personal user profiles.

You can configure your browser to notify you whenever cookies are set and to allow cookies only in individual cases, to exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and to activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. Please note that disabling cookies may limit the functionality of our website.

Cookies are stored on the user's device and transmitted by the user to our website. As the user, you therefore have full control over the use of cookies. By changing the settings in your web browser, you can disable or restrict the transmission of cookies. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time, either manually or automatically. If cookies are disabled for our website, some website functions may no longer be available in full.

1. Usercentrics
Usercentrics is a consent management service. On this website, Usercentrics GmbH acts as our data processor for the purpose of managing cookie consent. Usercentrics uses Local Storage and pixels to record and store users' consent or refusal regarding the use of cookies.

Usercentrics processes the following data: consent and withdrawal of consent (opt-in and opt-out), referrer URL, user agent, user preferences, Consent ID, date and time of consent, consent type, template version, banner language, IP address and geographical location.

The processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. Consent records (including consent granted and withdrawn) are retained for one year and deleted immediately thereafter.

Further information on how Usercentrics processes personal data can be found in the Usercentrics’ Privacy Policy.

2. Adform Conversion-Tracking

This website may use Adform Conversion Tracking. The conversion tracking cookie is set when a user interacts with an advertisement served by Adform. These cookies do not contain any information that can be used to identify users personally.

Users who do not wish to participate in conversion tracking can disable the Adform cookie in their web browser or opt out via:
https://site.adform.com/privacy-centre/platform-privacy/opt-out/

The processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interests). Our legitimate interest is the implementation and optimisation of our online marketing activities.

3. Google Ads

Google Ads is an advertising service provided by Google Ireland Limited that enables personalised and non-personalised advertising to be displayed to users.

The service uses cookies to process information such as advertisements viewed, cookie ID, date and time of the visit, device information, geographical location, IP address, search terms, displayed advertisements, customer ID, impressions, online identifiers and browser information.

The legal basis for this processing is Article 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).

Personal data is deleted once it is no longer required for the purposes of processing. Log data is anonymised after nine months and cookie information after twelve months.

Further information on how Google processes personal data can be found in the Google Privacy Policy. Users can also withdraw their consent or manage their advertising preferences across Google services via Google's privacy settings.

IV. Website analysis

This website uses services provided by etracker GmbH, Hamburg, Germany (www.etracker.com), to analyse usage data.

Cookies are used to enable statistical analysis of how visitors use this website and to display usage-based content or advertising. Cookies are small text files stored by your web browser on your device. etracker cookies do not contain any information that can be used to identify individual users.

The data generated by etracker is processed and stored exclusively in Germany on behalf of the operator of this website. It is therefore subject to the strict requirements of German and European data protection legislation and standards. etracker has been independently audited, certified and awarded the ePrivacyseal data protection certification.

The processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interests). Our legitimate interest is to optimise our online services and the performance of our website. As the privacy of our visitors is particularly important to us, IP addresses are anonymised by etracker at the earliest possible stage. Login and device identifiers are converted into a unique key that cannot be attributed to an identifiable individual. etracker does not combine this data with other information, use it for any other purpose or disclose it to third parties.

You may object to this processing of your personal data at any time where such processing is based on legitimate interests. Exercising your right to object will not result in any disadvantage to you.

Further information about data protection at etracker is available in the etracker Privacy Notice.

V. Social Media / Third-party services

Our website contains links to our profiles on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Unless otherwise stated, the icons displayed on our website are external links only.

When you visit our website, no personal data is transmitted to the operators of these social media platforms. Personal data is only processed by the respective platform provider once you click on one of the links and leave our website. From that point onwards, the processing of your personal data is carried out solely by the respective platform provider. Please refer to the relevant provider's Privacy Notice for further information:

Our website may also include features provided by social media platforms. Where these features transmit personal data to the respective provider or store or access information on your device, this will only take place with your prior consent via our Consent Management Platform.

The legal basis for this processing is Article 6(1)(a) GDPR in conjunction with Section 25 of the German Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG).

Further information about the individual services is provided below.

1. YouTube Plugin

Our website uses plugins provided by YouTube, a service operated by YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA.

When you visit a page containing a YouTube plugin, a connection is established with YouTube's servers. In doing so, YouTube is informed which pages of our website you have visited.

If you are logged into your YouTube account, YouTube may associate your browsing behaviour directly with your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account before visiting our website.

The use of YouTube is based on our legitimate interest in providing an attractive presentation of our online content in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.

Further information on how Google processes personal data can be found in the Google Privacy Policy.

2. Google reCAPTCHA

Our website uses Google reCAPTCHA, a service provided by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, to protect our online forms from misuse and automated submissions.

reCAPTCHA is used to determine whether data entered on our website (for example, in a contact form) is submitted by a human user or by an automated program. To do this, reCAPTCHA analyses various characteristics of website visitors. This analysis begins automatically as soon as you access the relevant page.

As part of this process, reCAPTCHA evaluates information such as your IP address, the length of time you spend on the website and your mouse movements. The data collected during this analysis is transmitted to Google.

The reCAPTCHA analysis is carried out entirely in the background and users are not separately notified that the analysis is taking place.

The processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interests). Our legitimate interest is to protect our website against abusive automated activity, fraud and spam.

Further information about Google reCAPTCHA and Google's processing of personal data is available at:

3. Links to other websites

Our web pages may contain links to other websites. We have no control over the editorial content of third-party websites or over whether their operators comply with data protection regulations.

VI. Newsletter

Where available, you may subscribe to our free newsletter via our website. When you subscribe, the information entered in the registration form is transmitted to us. This includes your email address and, where provided, your title, first name and surname. We also collect the date and time of your registration.

During the registration process, we obtain your consent to process your personal data and refer you to this Privacy Notice.

Your personal data will not be shared with third parties in connection with the distribution of the newsletter. The data is used exclusively for sending the newsletter. To monitor and improve system performance, the data may also be processed in anonymised statistical evaluations.

The legal basis for processing your personal data is Article 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).

Your personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected. Your email address will therefore be stored for as long as your newsletter subscription remains active.

You may withdraw your consent and unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. Every newsletter contains an unsubscribe link that allows you to cancel your subscription easily.

VII. Contact forms

If you contact us using the contact form on our website, the information you provide in the form, including the contact details you enter, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your enquiry and responding to any follow-up questions. We will not share this information with third parties without your consent.

The processing of the data entered into the contact form is based exclusively on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.

You may withdraw your consent at any time. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The withdrawal of your consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out prior to the withdrawal.

The personal data you provide via the contact form will be retained until you request its deletion, withdraw your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (for example, once your enquiry has been fully processed). Mandatory statutory provisions, in particular legal retention obligations, remain unaffected.

VIII. Recruitment Process

These Privacy Notice provisions apply exclusively to the recruitment process and govern the processing of personal data between applicants and MESSE ESSEN GmbH.

The personal data provided by applicants during the recruitment process is processed and stored by our data processor, Essener Systemhaus (ESH), on our behalf. MESSE ESSEN GmbH and ESH have concluded a data processing agreement in accordance with Article 28 GDPR. All processing is carried out solely on behalf of MESSE ESSEN GmbH.

Access to applicants' personal data is restricted to authorised employees of MESSE ESSEN GmbH who are bound by confidentiality obligations. Personal data is collected, stored and processed exclusively for the purpose of managing the recruitment process. Data is retained only to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Applicants who are not offered a position will, after the recruitment process has been completed, be asked whether they wish to consent to the retention of their personal data for consideration in relation to future vacancies. If no consent is provided, the personal data will be deleted in accordance with the applicable statutory requirements.

Applicants may withdraw their consent to the retention of their personal data for future recruitment opportunities at any time by emailing bewerbung@messe-essen.de.

Applicants' personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.

IX. Prize Draws

Where prize draws are organised, the applicable terms and conditions, together with information about the processing of personal data, will be provided for the respective prize draw throughout its duration.

The personal data collected will be used to verify participants' identity, administer the prize draw and notify winners.

Personal data will not be shared with third parties unless this is necessary for the delivery of the prize.

X. CCTV

CCTV is used throughout the exhibition grounds to monitor and manage visitor and traffic flows and to ensure the safety and security of visitors, exhibitors and staff.

The footage is not used for any other purpose.

Privacy Notice for Media Accreditation at MESSE ESSEN GmbH

I. General information on online accreditation

1. Scope of the Processing of Personal Data

We collect and process the personal data of journalists and other media representatives (typically including publishing company, media outlet, name, address, telephone/fax number and email address) only to the extent necessary to process and provide accreditation.

You are not under any legal obligation to provide this personal data. However, without it, we are unfortunately unable to process your accreditation request. If your accreditation request is refused, we will also retain this information for the purpose of preventing misuse.

If you provide your consent, we will publish your details in a press directory made available to exhibitors. Providing this consent is entirely voluntary.

Your personal data will also be retained after the relevant exhibition has ended in order to simplify and speed up any future accreditation process at our Press Centre.

If you give your consent, we will also send you press releases and press invitations from time to time relating to the exhibition for which you have been accredited and to other events covering similar subject areas. For this purpose, we will process your email address and, where provided, your title, first name and surname.

You may withdraw your consent and unsubscribe from receiving press releases and invitations at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in every email.

Processing carried out for the purpose of complying with legal obligations to which we are subject (for example, statutory retention requirements) remains unaffected.

II. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

In the context of accreditation and the storage of your accreditation data for the purposes of simplifying and speeding up future accreditations, the processing is carried out to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company and/or the trade fair organiser on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. Where we act on the basis of your consent to send you information and to include you in the exhibitor press guide, Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis. Where the processing of personal data is necessary to comply with a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis.

III. Disclosure of data to third parties

Subject to your consent, we will pass on your details (publisher, media title, name, address, telephone/fax number, email address) in the form of a press directory to exhibitors at the trade fair for which you have been accredited. We do not intend to pass on your details to any other recipients.

IV. Data erasure and retention period

Your personal data will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose for which it was stored no longer applies. We regularly delete your data if you have withdrawn your consent or objected to its continued storage. However, your data will not be deleted under any circumstances before the expiry of statutory retention obligations.

V. Rights of the data subject

Where we process data on the basis of your consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future. You have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

  • Right of access, Art. 15 GDPR
  • Right to rectification, Art. 15 GDPR
  • Right to erasure, Art. 17 GDPR
  • Right to restriction of processing, Art. 18 GDPR
  • Right to data portability, Art. 20 GDPR Right to object to processing, Art. 21 GDPR

Furthermore, you may lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection supervisory authority at any time. For us, this is: 
State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, North Rhine-Westphalia
Kavalleriestr. 2–4
40213 Düsseldorf
Telephone: 0211 / 38424-0
Fax: 0211 / 38424-10
Email: poststelle@ldi.nrw.de
Website: www.ldi.nrw.de

To exercise your data protection rights, please contact datenschutz@messeessen.de.

Further Data Protection Notices

Datenschutzhinweise für Kunden und Lieferanten

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to amend this privacy policy at any time with future effect. The latest version is available on the website. Please visit the website regularly to keep up to date with the applicable privacy policy.

Last updated: 26 June 2026