Messe Frankfurt is expanding its portfolio in the Central Asian market and will, for the first time, hold a trade fair in the technical sector in Uzbekistan with the Intelligent Building Expo 2026. The new trade fair will take place from May 20 to 22, 2026, in Tashkent. Its product portfolio covers the areas of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and water supply, lighting and building automation, as well as security technology and IT security.
“With our strong trade fair brands Light + Building, ISH, and Intersec, Messe Frankfurt has the leading events for integrated and smart building technologies as well as security technology and fire protection in its portfolio. We are pleased that with the Intelligent Building Expo we can bring together selected product segments of all three fairs. The new format gives us the opportunity to meet the needs of the region and expand our expertise in Central Asia,” emphasizes Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt.
The Intelligent Building Expo sees itself as a platform in which the future of urban infrastructure is presented, from efficient climate and water management systems to state-of-the-art lighting and security technologies. As a professional point of contact for all industry participants, it is aimed at manufacturers, project developers, architects, engineers, as well as representatives of government, associations, and institutions. The trade fair is now the eighth specialist event organized by Messe Frankfurt in Uzbekistan, following Automechanika Tashkent, Comtrux Tashkent, Scalex Tashkent, Heimtextil Uzbekistan, Texworld Tashkent, Apparel Sourcing Tashkent, and Beautyworld Central Asia.
In the course of its business expansion, Messe Frankfurt is cooperating closely with its long-standing partner Business Media Central Asia (BMCA). As an experienced organizer in the region, BMCA is responsible under license from Messe Frankfurt for the implementation of all the company’s events in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan has developed in recent years into one of the most dynamic economic areas in Central Asia. Strong investment growth, far-reaching reforms, and diverse industrial sectors make the country an exciting market and fertile ground for new trade fairs as well. Central Asia is rapidly modernizing its cities and infrastructure. Uzbekistan alone counts more than 57,000 active companies, many of which are engaged in construction, engineering, and urban development.
For international companies, this represents an entry market with long-term growth potential and strong demand for solutions in the areas of energy efficiency, water management, and building security. Accordingly, the European Union announced an investment package of twelve billion euros at the first EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand in April 2025. The focus areas are energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Germany’s engagement in Uzbekistan, in turn, is integrated into the European Union’s cooperative approach. Climate, energy, and sustainable development are central themes in development policy cooperation.
The next ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for water, heat, and air, will take place from March 15 to 19, 2027 in Frankfurt am Main.
