LayerExpo – A Journey of International Trade Show Innovation Since 1991
From our beginnings as a General Sales Agent in the U.S. computer trade show industry to an internationally active organizer of exhibitions and conferences, LayerExpo has continuously evolved, expanded its portfolio, and helped shape the global trade show landscape.
From COMDEX to a Global Exhibition Portfolio
1991 – The Beginning: Entering the U.S. IT Market
LayerExpo’s journey began in 1991 as a General Sales Agent (GSA) for COMDEX in Las Vegas, the largest computer trade show in the United States at the time. We represented the exhibition in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, establishing our first connections within the international technology and trade show industry.
1993–1994 – Building Bridges Between Markets
In 1993, we organized the first German group pavilions at COMDEX in Las Vegas and Chicago, enabling German companies to showcase their products and innovations in the U.S. market. In 1994, we expanded these activities to WindowsWorld in Atlanta.
Another milestone came in 1994 with the founding of Mecklermedia by Allen Meckler, with our financial support. This partnership led to the creation of CDXPO and, subsequently, InternetWorld – a globally recognized brand for trade shows and publications in the emerging internet industry.
Also in 1994, we established IMP – International Marketing Partners GmbH in Fürth, Germany, to provide comprehensive, full-service solutions for exhibitors participating in international trade shows. Among our early successful projects were fashion shows and the Toy VIP Show at the Süd-West-Park in Nuremberg.
1996 – A Year of Transformation and New Opportunities
The year 1996 marked a significant turning point. We expanded into internet technologies, organizing exhibitions and event series such as InternetWorld and Online im Park.
At the same time, we played a key role in launching the new anuga foodtec in Cologne, bringing together two previously separate trade shows in a unified exhibition concept.
This year also marked the end of our COMDEX Las Vegas sales representation. It was a strategic step away from our traditional focus on IT and toward a broader range of technologies and industries.
From 1998 – Expanding into the Industrial Sector
Beginning in 1998, our activities increasingly extended into industrial markets. We organized trade shows and corporate in-house events for renowned companies and organizations, including Salesforce, SAP, Siemens, Festo, SEW, Uhlmann, and IDG World Expo.
These projects further strengthened our expertise in developing tailored event solutions for diverse industries and international audiences.
2003 – A New Wave of Industrial Trade Shows
In 2003, we initiated and organized numerous new trade shows in the industrial sector. These included Automatisierungstreff, nextstep, EMPack, maintenance, and solids.
These initiatives laid the foundation for a broader and increasingly international portfolio of specialized industrial exhibitions, creating new platforms for knowledge exchange, business development, and industry networking.
And the Rest Is History…
Since those early beginnings, LayerExpo has continued to grow and evolve. Today, our international activities encompass a growing portfolio of trade shows and conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia.
What started in 1991 as a focused representation business has developed into a diverse international exhibition and event operation – driven by entrepreneurial spirit, long-standing partnerships, and a passion for connecting industries, people, and markets.