In short
EMO is the machine tool industry's world fair, and buyers come to see metal being cut. A strong EMO stand runs real machining on real parts, shows the finished workpiece with its tolerances, and offers a calm place to discuss cycle times and return on investment. Start a custom stand about 12–15 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Hannover and Milan, alternating, every two years, alternating between Hannover and Milan. EMO Milano is announced for October 2027.
- The audience is mostly production managers.
- Machines cutting real parts.
- Finished workpieces that can be handled.
- Plan a custom stand about 12–15 months before the show.
EMO for exhibitors
EMO moves between Hannover and Milan, so the venue, contractors and local rules differ by edition. Stand plans made for one city rarely transfer without changes. Machine builders, tooling suppliers and software firms all use the show for launches.
| EMO | |
|---|---|
| City | Hannover and Milan, alternating |
| Venue | Deutsche Messe in Hannover or Fiera Milano in Rho, depending on the edition |
| Sector | Metalworking and machine tools |
| Cycle | Every two years, alternating between Hannover and Milan. EMO Milano is announced for October 2027 |
| Main stand activity | Working machinery |
| Custom stand lead time | 12–15 months |
Who you are designing for
Production managers, machine shop owners, process engineers and purchasing teams from aerospace, automotive, medical and general engineering.
What matters most on an EMO stand:
- Machines cutting real parts.
- Finished workpieces that can be handled.
- Application engineers at each machine.
- Digital tools shown on the machine, not only on a laptop.
Layouts for working machinery, by stand type
Most EMO exhibitors build around working machinery. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | One machine side-on to the aisle so its working side is visible, with a screen showing it in use. |
| Island | 4 | A hero machine centred with at least 1.5 m of walk-around space, demo times on a screen and meetings to one side or upstairs. |
Stand ideas for EMO
- A display of finished parts with cycle times and tolerances.
- A camera inside the cutting area, shown on a big screen.
- A table with a cost-per-part comparison for visitors' own parts.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Each edition has its own venue manual, so a Hannover plan must be rechecked for Milan. Machine foundations, coolant handling and lifting need early planning.
Allow about 12–15 months for a custom stand. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at EMO
Machine transport, foundations and coolant handling dwarf the graphics. Allow for different contractors and rules in each host city, as last edition's quotes will not carry over.
Mistakes we see at EMO
- Reusing the last edition's plans without checking the new venue's rules.
- Coolant and chips left visible around a spotless stand.
An example EMO brief
A 12 × 8 m stand with one five-axis machine cutting an aerospace bracket, a finished-parts table and an in-machine camera feed on a large screen, drawn for the host city's halls.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your EMO layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about working machinery into an editable 3D stand for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01Where is EMO held?
It alternates between Hannover and Milan. EMO Milano is announced for October 2027. Confirm details with the organiser.
02Can a machine really cut metal on the stand?
Commonly, yes, with guarding, extraction and coolant plans approved through the show.
03How early should I start designing an EMO stand?
For a custom stand, about 12–15 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my EMO stand at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, working machinery area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
