MESSE DRESDEN

In 1887 the first international gardening exhibition took place in Dresden. This year was the beginning of exhibitions in Saxony with numerous programs. Nine years later, in 1896, the Exhibition Palace was created which made Saxony's Capitol one of the first german exhibition centers. After destruction of the Palace in the Second World War, business went on in the improvised exhibition palace grounds at Staßburger Platz. April 1, 1969 the companies "Volkspark Großer Garten" and "Technischer Dienst der Stadt Dresden" consolidated and formed the "Veranstaltungsbetrieb Dresden".

The "Dresdner Ausstellungsgesellschaft mbH" was founded January 1, 1994. A change of location had become necessary since The Transparent Factory of Volkswagen settled at Straßburger Platz in 1999.
A decision of Dresden's councilmen concluded that the historical parts of the "Erlwein'scher Schlachthof" would be used to form the new exhibition center at the Ostragehege. One of the most beautiful european exhibition centres evolved.
On September 17, 1999 the area at the Ostragehege opened its gates.

Back then, Halls 2, 3 and 4 were ready for exhibition in the first construction stage. Hall 1, the largest of all four, opened after the second construction stage on February 23, 2001 and offers space for 10,000 Rock - and Pop concert visitors. Besides exhibitions, especially concerts and shows take place. Increasingly Hall 1 is used for large congresses. On April 10, 2003 the "Dresdner Ausstellungsgesellschaft" changed its name and structure and formed the "MESSE DRESDEN GmbH".