In short
EXPO REAL is a property and investment fair in Munich, and it runs on meetings. City, regional and developer stands host investors at tables and over coffee. A stand needs models or walkthroughs of real projects, a welcoming bar and good meeting spaces. It should feel like a business lounge, not a display. Start a custom stand about 6–9 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Munich, annual in Munich, usually in October.
- The audience is mostly investors.
- Bar and hospitality.
- Models and project data.
- Plan a custom stand about 6–9 months before the show.
EXPO REAL for exhibitors
Cities and regions often exhibit together, with partners sharing a stand. Investors and developers keep busy meeting calendars, and networking at the stand is a large part of the value.
| EXPO REAL | |
|---|---|
| City | Munich |
| Venue | Messe München |
| Sector | Real estate and investment |
| Cycle | Annual in Munich, usually in October |
| Main stand activity | Pre-booked meetings |
| Custom stand lead time | 6–9 months |
Who you are designing for
Investors, developers, city and regional representatives, financiers and consultants.
What matters most on an EXPO REAL stand:
- Bar and hospitality.
- Models and project data.
- Shared stand management.
- Plenty of tables.
Layouts for pre-booked meetings, by stand type
Most EXPO REAL exhibitors build around pre-booked meetings. 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 | A welcome counter at the front and two bar tables; book longer meetings in the venue's meeting rooms. |
| Island | 4 | Meeting rooms in a central core or on an upper deck, with reception and a short demo on the busiest aisle. |
Stand ideas for EXPO REAL
- A city model with lit project sites.
- A shared-partner lounge.
- An investor data room on a tablet.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Models need safe transport and protection. Partner stands need clear agreements on space and cost.
Allow about 6–9 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 EXPO REAL
A good model is expensive but reusable. Hospitality is the main running cost, so budget it per day.
Mistakes we see at EXPO REAL
- A property brochure stand with no seats.
- Weak hospitality at a show built on it.
An example EXPO REAL brief
A 10 × 8 m stand with a city model with lit project sites, a partner lounge and a bar.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your EXPO REAL layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about pre-booked meetings 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 EXPO REAL held?
At Messe München in Munich, annually.
02How is it different from MIPIM?
Both are property fairs. EXPO REAL is in Munich with a strong German focus; [MIPIM](/guides/mipim-stand-design) is in Cannes.
03How early should I start designing an EXPO REAL stand?
For a custom stand, about 6–9 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my EXPO REAL stand at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, pre-booked meetings 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.
