IHM 2027: New Forum "Future Craftsmanship" for Skilled Workers and AI

<p>The International Craft Fair (IHM) in Munich is taking a new path in 2027: From 10 to 14 March, the previous industry congress <strong>Future Craftsmanship</strong> will be integrated into the trade fair as a permanent forum for the first time. This brings future topics such as digitalization, artificial intelligence and skilled worker security even closer to the practice of craft businesses – and it is accessible to all visitors with a regular trade fair ticket.</p><h2>From Congress to Trade Fair Format</h2><p>The Future Craftsmanship Congress was launched in March 2023 and took place parallel to the IHM in the neighboring ICM convention center for three years. In 2027, the Society for Craft Fairs (GHM) is now taking the step towards a true trade fair format: The new forum is located directly in Hall C1 and is thus a permanent part of the IHM program throughout all five trade fair days. For exhibitors, this creates an environment in which their solutions directly meet current questions from businesses. At the same time, GHM announces that it will gradually integrate selected Future Craftsmanship content into other specialist trade fairs – tailored to the respective trades and their professional and business issues.</p><h2>Topics in Focus: AI, Skilled Workers and Succession</h2><p>In terms of content, the new forum addresses the most pressing challenges in the industry. The program includes lectures and discussions on the following focal points:</p><ul><li>Digitalization and artificial intelligence and their impact on the labor market</li><li>Securing skilled workers</li><li>Business development</li><li>Founding and business succession</li></ul><p>According to the fair organizer, these topics will significantly shape the development of craft businesses in the coming years. For specialist audiences, the forum thus offers not only an overview of current trends, but also concrete impulses for running their own business – from digital transformation to regulating their own succession.</p><h2>Career & Craftsmanship: Career Guidance Meets Professional Development</h2><p>Spatially and substantively, the new forum is linked to the expanded "Career & Craftsmanship" area in Hall C1. This combination is no coincidence: The IHM already reaches many young people with its career guidance offerings. In 2026, more than 9,300 students informed themselves about opportunities and perspectives in craftsmanship at the special and action show "Makers Wanted!". At the accompanying "Careers Rally," they were able to learn about and try out more than 20 trades. With the new forum, this offering is now supplemented by the next career stage: Those who decide today to pursue a craft profession will find answers in Hall C1 in the future to questions about professional and business development – from career entry to starting their own business.</p><h3>Practical Information on IHM 2027</h3><p>IHM 2027 opens its doors from Wednesday, 10 March, to Sunday, 14 March, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The fair grounds in Munich can be reached by the U-Bahn line U2 via the "Messestadt West" station as well as by car via the Munich-Riem and Feldkirchen-West exits. The main entrance is at the West entrance. GHM will publish further details on the forum as well as the overall program of the fair in the coming months.</p><h2>Conclusion and Outlook</h2><p>With the conversion of Future Craftsmanship into a permanent forum, the IHM is responding to the growing demand for practice-oriented guidance in an industry that must reposition itself between digitalization, skilled worker shortages and generational change. The close integration with the "Career & Craftsmanship" area signals a clear ambition: career guidance and business development should in future be understood as a continuous process. If the format proves successful, the announced gradual integration into other GHM specialist fairs should demonstrate that Future Craftsmanship is more than a one-time pilot project – but rather the beginning of a new strategy to place future topics directly where the specialist audience already is.</p>