Trade fair · Cologne · 8–10 September 2026
Germany's largest fair for promotional and clearance goods.
The IAW in Cologne is Germany's leading order fair for promotional goods, clearance stock and import merchandise. Over 300 exhibitors from around 30 countries, two halls, three days. Admission is free for trade visitors.
Getting there
Köln Messe/Deutz station is roughly three hundred metres from the entrance, served directly by international rail. Cologne/Bonn airport lies fifteen kilometres away.
- Brussels
- 1 h 50
- Amsterdam
- 2 h 40
- Paris
- 3 h 15
- London (via Brussels)
- approx. 4 h 30
Why the trip pays off
Inspect goods before committing capital
Quality, workmanship and packaging are assessed in seconds at the stand. This is precisely where online sourcing produces the most expensive mistakes.
Prices that appear in no catalogue
Volume discounts and one-off lots emerge in conversation. A substantial share of exhibitors import directly, removing an entire trade tier.
Suppliers you will not find online
Many importers maintain no meaningful web presence. That is exactly why their prices have not yet been competed away.
The right moment for the season
Early September is the ordering date for autumn, winter and Christmas ranges. What you buy here reaches the shelf in time.
Who this is for
- Retail owners in household goods, textiles, drugstore, decoration, toys and electronics
- Online and marketplace sellers (Amazon, eBay, regional platforms)
- Wholesalers, buyers and importers
- Not open to consumers – admission requires proof of business activity
Practical information
- Dates
- 8–10 September 2026
- Venue
- Koelnmesse, halls 6 and 9, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne
- Opening hours
- Tue and Wed 9am–6pm, Thu 9am–3pm
- Admission
- free for trade visitors, tickets online only
- Exhibitors
- over 300 from around 30 countries
Language at the fair
A large share of exhibitors operate internationally and English is widely spoken at the stands. Some German helps when negotiating but is not a requirement.
Free admission for trade visitors
Tickets are available exclusively online through the organiser's official ticket shop. We forward you there directly.
The IAW is a trade-only fair. Bring proof of business activity – a company register extract, VAT number or business card showing your company.
This is an independent information page for trade visitors, not the organiser's official website.