Marcel Mönkemöller has been working for NürnbergMesse since 2011 and, as Senior Manager of Event Coordination, is overseeing his fifth GaLaBau this year. In our interview, he reflects on the developments the trade fair has made in recent years.

How has GaLaBau developed over the years?

In an absolutely positive direction. GaLaBau has always been one of our larger and most traditional events. Over the years and decades, however, it has always grown in line with the growth of the exhibition center itself and is now one of our largest and most beautiful events. The outdoor activity areas in particular have moved to different areas around the exhibition grounds. Originally, they were located on the Silberbuck above the exhibition grounds, then in the south-east parking lot and, since 2012, have been held in the Silberseepark above Hall 12.

 

What is special about GaLaBau compared to the other event?

There are many things that make GaLaBau special and set it apart from other events here at the exhibition center. But the most impressive thing is certainly the extensive supporting program, which also takes place outdoors. The Landscape Gardeners' Cup in the exhibition park and the activity areas in Silberseepark above the exhibition center are absolute highlights that no one should miss. On the other hand, GaLaBau has a special appeal thanks to the numerous green and natural exhibits. In some places, you have the feeling of walking through a forest rather than an exhibition hall, while in the North Halls, visitors gaze with shining eyes at the numerous construction and maintenance machines and Halls 1 and 2 are one big playground.

 

How has the image of GaLaBau developed in the halls? 

It has definitely become more upmarket overall. This is a development that we are also observing at other trade fairs, that exhibitors are coming up with really nice and sometimes unusual ideas for their trade fair participation. You can see this particularly well at the stand of the Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V. (BGL), for example, which comes up with really incredibly beautiful concepts and ideas for the large area in Hall 3A every year and implements them to showcase the themes of gardening and landscaping.