Nail backs Dornbirn autumn fair despite attendance decline

Nilly Nail, managing director of the Dornbirn trade fair, believes the traditional autumn fair has a future despite falling attendance and fewer exhibitors, ORF reported. The five-day event ended on Sunday with 30,115 visitors, around 4,000 fewer than the previous year.

The number of exhibitors fell from 300 to 220. Nail said this year’s event was the first to be reorganised as part of a planned three-year process. The fair was held across around 30,000 square metres for the first time.

“We understand the dissatisfaction,” Nail said, adding that visitor criticism would be taken seriously. The organisers will analyse the event and identify areas for improvement.

Nail said several elements had worked well, including the home and interior displays, the food section featuring winemakers, and a new outdoor area with a bouncy castle and fairground attractions. Other parts, he acknowledged, needed improvement.

The organisers plan to invest more in the event’s presentation independently of the trade fair sections from 2027 onwards.

Visitors particularly criticised the self-service system in the commercial tent and the lack of food there on Sunday. Nail said infrastructure in 2026 and 2027 meant the fair had to rely on self-service together with its existing catering partner.

A new catering concept is planned for 2028. The organisers also want to give the catering offer and the traditional “Messehennele” a stronger role again.

Nail said well-produced public fairs still had a future. The autumn fair would continue to focus on established themes such as housing, interiors and food, while also responding to changes in the market and competition from online retail.

The organisers aim to find the right balance between the traditional trade fair experience and event presentation across 15,000 square metres of indoor space and 15,000 square metres outdoors.