International Sanitation and Heating (ISH) Trade Fair has kept its position as the world’s leading trade fair. After an intensive week at the trade fair, the VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design Industry Association draws upon a positive interim balance for ISH 2025.

“The ISH is on the right track,” VDMA deputy chairman and Viega managing director Dirk Gellisch says.

“It has spread optimism in ma y areas, sent out positive signals and maintained its position as a world’s leading trade fair.”

The hall concept was a success, and many exhibitors were able to generate added value for themselves.

“With a good 163,000 visitors, ISH 2025 has not yet reached the successful heights of 2019 and 2019,” Dirk says.

“However, we welcome the trend reversal, which can be seen in an increase in visitor numbers of more than 6% compared to 2023.”

An important takeaway from ISH 2025 is that craftspeople were more strongly represented at many stands, achieving a visitor share of 30%. With 2,183 exhibitors from 54 countries, there was also a noticeable increase in international attendees.

“Our stand in hall 3.1 in the ‘Meet the Water Experts’ association area was a well-used meeting point and sent out a strong signal that the brand manufacturers in the sanitary industry stands behind the ISH,” VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design and VDMA Valves Association managing director Laure Dorfer says.

“Our lecture program in the neighbouring Design Plaza was also well received. From water and energy efficiency to ease of installation, design trends and accessibility, our brand manufacturers from the sanitary industry and installation technology impressively demonstrated at this year’s ISH that they have solutions for the major challenges of our time.”

Dirk says that the industry will play an active role in further development.

“The sanitary industry and installation technology still believe in trade fairs because they offer neutral, comprehensive and overarching platforms,” he says.

“We still need a world-leading trade fair like the ISH in Germany and in the heart of Europe.”