expoSE & expoDirekt 2026: Anniversary with Strong Program

<p>From <strong>November 18-19, 2026</strong>, Karlsruhe Trade Fair will once again transform into the central meeting point for the European asparagus, berries and direct marketing industry. The specialist trade fair duo <strong>expoSE & expoDirekt</strong> celebrates a triple anniversary this year – and underscores its claim as the leading industry trade fair with a particularly comprehensive supporting program.</p>

<h2>Triple Anniversary in Karlsruhe</h2> <p>The organizer, the <strong>Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers (VSSE)</strong>, looks back on several significant milestones: 30 years of VSSE, the 30th edition of expoSE and the 15th edition of expoDirekt. The expectations for the anniversary edition are correspondingly ambitious. The association expects <strong>around 440 exhibitors from 16 countries</strong> as well as <strong>over 5,300 specialist visitors from more than 30 nations</strong>. Already in advance, nearly 70 percent of exhibitors – over 300 companies from 14 countries – had registered for the trade fair duo, indicating high overall demand from the industry.</p> <p>"Exhibitor bookings for our specialist trade fair duo are going well. Early registrations already allow us to plan the distribution of trade fair stands in the halls. There are again many interesting and innovative companies participating," said the VSSE.</p>

<h2>New Forum Concept in Hall 2</h2> <p>A significant innovation concerns the organization of the specialist program: The <strong>Berry Technology Forum</strong>, the <strong>Berry Bush Forum</strong> and the <strong>Stone Fruit Forum</strong> will be held for the first time bundled together in <strong>Hall 2</strong> at the newly designed VSSE stand. This is intended to better utilize synergies between specialist topics and enable visitors to travel shorter distances.</p> <h3>Stone Fruit Forum: Technology and Diversification in Focus</h3> <p>For the third time, the Stone Fruit Forum – Varieties | Trends | Technology invites visitors on Wednesday, 18.11.2026, from 10 a.m. to the forum at the VSSE stand. The focus is on mechanical weed control and irrigation concepts. As an option for diversification, almond cultivation in Germany will also be presented – a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant given changing climatic conditions.</p> <h3>37th Asparagus Day with Broad Range of Topics</h3> <p>The traditional Asparagus Day takes place in its 37th edition on Wednesday, 18.11.2026, from 1 p.m. in the conference hall of the Messe Konferenz Center. The agenda includes, among other things, the debate "Asparagus robots versus hand harvesting," the effects of climate change on asparagus cultivation, the topic of tiger nuts, green asparagus quality as well as a new greening experiment. The program is rounded off by insights into cultivation, marketing and challenges of Swiss asparagus cultivation – a look beyond borders that should open new perspectives.</p>

<h2>Premiere for Berry Bushes, Continuation for Berry Technology and Direct Marketing</h2> <p>On Thursday, 19.11.2026, from 9:45 a.m., the 4th Berry Technology Forum follows, which in German and English language provides selected companies with a platform to present specialist knowledge and products. The aim is to meet the growing need for technological advancement in berry cultivation.</p> <p>For the first time in trade fair history, the <strong>Berry Bush Forum</strong> takes place afterwards, from 1:30 p.m. Topics include current experimental results on cultivation techniques and varieties of raspberries and blackberries as well as the presentation of the Beerenhof Ell operation – a practical example that links theoretical knowledge with concrete cultivation experience.</p> <p>Those interested in direct marketing will find valuable practical tips at the <strong>Direct Marketer Forum</strong> at the stand of the specialist magazine HOFdirekt in Hall 1, Stand F04, on both trade fair days. The focus is on "Direct marketing in rhythm: Achieving sales growth with automation & clever technology" – given rising costs and staff shortages, a highly topical issue for many direct marketers.</p>

<h2>Innovation Prize and Outlook</h2> <p>Exhibitors of expoSE and expoDirekt can still apply until <strong>September 30, 2026</strong> with innovations and new products for direct marketing for the expoSE & expoDirekt Innovation Prize. The award underscores the innovative character of the trade fair duo and offers companies an additional platform to showcase their developments.</p> <p>With the expanded forum offering, the new stand concept in Hall 2 and the bundling of relevant specialist topics, expoSE & expoDirekt 2026 position themselves once again as a central information and networking platform for the asparagus, berries, stone fruit and direct marketing industry. Given the continued strong exhibitor bookings and the breadth of the program, the anniversary edition in Karlsruhe should live up to its reputation as Europe's leading trade fair.</p>