INTERFOREST 2026: Record International Character Marks Munich Forestry Trade Fair

<p>For four days, the Munich exhibition grounds transformed into the international center of forestry: With INTERFOREST 2026, an event came to an end that set new standards not only in its visitor numbers, but also in its international orientation. Under the motto "Shaping forests together, utilizing diversity, securing the future," the trade fair positioned itself as a central platform for the future issues facing an industry in transition.</p>

<h2>Record Participation from 28 Countries</h2> <p>From October 15-18, 2026, <strong>400 companies from 28 countries</strong> presented their products and solutions for forestry and forestry technology at the Munich Exhibition grounds. Around <strong>42,000 visitors</strong> used the four trade fair days to learn about current trends and innovations – a result that, according to the organizers, once again surpassed the previous level of internationality among exhibitors and visitors.</p> <p>Messe München GmbH views this development as a clear signal: INTERFOREST has further established itself as Europe's leading industry trade fair and thus plays an active role in shaping the future of European forestry.</p>

<h2>Four Key Themes in Focus</h2> <p>In terms of content, the event was structured around four central focus areas that illustrated the facets of modern forestry:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Healthy Future Forest</strong> – Strategies for forest renewal and forest protection in the face of climate change</li> <li><strong>Focus on People</strong> – Occupational safety, health protection, and skilled labor issues in the industry</li> <li><strong>Forestry Technology on New Paths</strong> – Innovative machinery for timber harvesting and timber extraction</li> <li><strong>Digitalization in Forestry & Timber</strong> – IT solutions and digital processes along the value chain</li> </ul> <p>This thematic breadth was also reflected in the exhibition offering, which ranged from classic forestry technology to timber processing and timber energy to protective forest concepts.</p>

<h2>Future Technologies to Experience</h2> <p>The live demonstrations on the open grounds were particularly well-received, allowing visitors to experience modern forestry technology firsthand. Instead of pure theory, practice-oriented demonstrations were the focus – a format that received consistent positive feedback and underscored the trade fair's appeal as an experience platform.</p> <p>The exhibition program was complemented by a scientific conference program as well as special exhibitions, including the "SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS Forestry by DLG" format, which specifically focused on component and system solutions for the industry.</p>

<h2>Partnership of Politics, Business and Research</h2> <p>A key characteristic of INTERFOREST 2026 was the close dialogue between different societal stakeholders. Representatives from politics, business, and academia jointly provided impetus for the future of the economic factor of forests. This networking of decision-makers from different sectors is considered a unique selling point of the trade fair and distinguishes it from purely specialist exhibitions.</p> <p>The thematic interconnection made clear that forestry is long since more than traditional timber harvesting: Climate adaptation, digitalization, and social responsibility merge into a complex field of tasks that requires cross-sectoral solutions.</p>

<h2>Outlook: Impulses for the Coming Years</h2> <p>With the successfully completed 2026 edition, INTERFOREST has further solidified its position as an international leading trade fair for forestry and forestry technology. The high international participation as well as the broad thematic spectrum – from forest renewal to digitalization – demonstrate that the industry faces significant transformation processes in which innovation and networking are equally in demand.</p> <p>As a regularly scheduled event held every four years, INTERFOREST will continue to play a central role in bundling developments from industry, science, and politics, and in providing European forestry with a shared platform.</p>