50 years of IFH/Intherm: "The trade fair feels like a class reunion"

IFH/Intherm will celebrate its golden jubilee in 2026. Trade fair director Oliver Gossmann shares personal memories, discusses the character of the industry, and explains why the trade fair has lost none of its importance even after five decades.

This article is part of the special topic Trade fairs for the craft industry

DHB: Mr. Gossmann, the IFH/Intherm It's turning 50. You yourself have been involved since 2000. How many trade fairs have you attended?
Gossmann: The upcoming IFH/Intherm will be my twelfth. You could say I know the trade fair pretty well. And yet, I still look forward to it every single time. 

DHB: What is the source of the fascination?
Gossmann: The trade fair feels like a class reunion. You know so many people, so many faces. It's this mix of familiarity and constant new experiences that makes IFH/Intherm so special.

DHB: When you think back to your first trade fair in 2000, what has changed the most since then?
Gossmann: The role of the trade fair organizer has fundamentally changed. We used to be mere vendors of exhibition space. Today, I see myself as a connector – of interests, of people, of goals. My work begins with the questions: What and whom do you want to reach? How can we achieve this together? It's about genuine collaboration, about jointly developing a trade fair concept that takes into account the goals of all involved. Today, trade fairs are places for exchange and experience. The exhibition stands offer entertainment, show areas, and real-life experiences. Trade fair visitors don't just come to see products, but to take away something for their minds – and something for their hearts, too. So that they can say at the end: I had a really good day at company XY. 

DHB: Is there an experience that has particularly stuck in your memory?
Gossmann: My most memorable experience was actually a very personal one: My birthday falls during the trade fair. At an exhibitors' evening, everyone suddenly sang "Happy Birthday" to me. It was a truly goosebump-inducing moment and also shows how close-knit our industry is. 

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DHB: You speak of this "class reunion feeling". What role does personal contact play in times of webinars and digital platforms?
Gossmann: As the trade fair manager for IFH/Intherm, I'm part of the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (PHVAC) industry. When I'm at the fair, I run into familiar faces and look forward to small talk in the aisles, to seeing everyone again. I barely take a few steps before I'm chatting with another familiar face. It brings me great joy. This kind of interaction is so valuable, and no digital platform can replace it. 

DHB: The anniversary trade fair in April 2026 is already 90 percent booked. Does that surprise you?
Gossmann: "Delighted" would be a more fitting word. We currently have over 350 companies registered. That's 15 percent more than at the same time last year. While the trend toward late registrations continues, the figures clearly show that IFH/Intherm remains highly relevant to the industry. In a fast-paced sector, 50 years is an eternity. 

DHB: What is the recipe for success?
Gossmann: A trade fair is real: real products, real people meet, real exchange, real solutions and experiences. No chatbot. That's what counts. In addition to long-standing regular exhibitors like Viessmann, Bosch and Vaillant, several companies are also returning. 

DHB: What does that mean for the trade fair?
Gossmann: It shows that IFH/Intherm works as a platform. The return of companies like Uponor, Hansgrohe, and Toto is a sign of confidence. The mix of loyal existing customers and returning exhibitors makes the trade fair complete. We are particularly pleased with the fully booked exhibition space in the sanitaryware sector. 

DHB: Is there an experience from the past few years that has particularly stuck in your memory – apart from the birthday song?
Gossmann: Oh yes, the drumming workshop at an exhibitor's evening is still legendary! We had placed black plastic buckets and drumsticks under each chair. On stage, artists demonstrated how to drum, and the guests were encouraged to join in. I was honestly a bit nervous: people were dressed up – would they actually touch the buckets? But the atmosphere was fantastic! The next day, people greeted me with a "drumming gesture." Even today, if you mention "drumming workshop," people know exactly what it is. 

DHB: What are your wishes for IFH/Intherm for the next 50 years?
Gossmann: I hope that the IFH will continue to be what it is today: a meeting place for the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (PHVAC) industry. A place to exchange ideas, reconnect with old acquaintances, and develop shared visions for the future. I am very much looking forward to celebrating this special anniversary with the industry in person this April. 

Learn more IFH/Intherm 2026 will take place from April 14th to 17th at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre. Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 9 am to 18 pm, Friday from 9 am to 17 pm. 
www.ifh-intherm.de

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