In short
IFAT is the leading fair for water, sewage, waste and recycling. Visitors include municipal buyers and plant engineers, so a stand should show equipment at work, explain the process step and offer proof from real sites. Large machinery often sits outdoors, so plan indoor and outdoor space together. Start a custom stand about 9–12 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Munich, every two years in Munich, in even years.
- The audience is mostly municipal engineers.
- Cutaways and process models.
- Site references.
- Plan a custom stand about 9–12 months before the show.
IFAT Munich for exhibitors
Municipal utilities and private operators attend, alongside makers of pumps, trucks, sorting lines and sensors. Public procurement means that long-term service and references carry weight.
| IFAT Munich | |
|---|---|
| City | Munich |
| Venue | Messe München |
| Sector | Water, sewage, waste and raw materials |
| Cycle | Every two years in Munich, in even years |
| Main stand activity | Working machinery |
| Custom stand lead time | 9–12 months |
Who you are designing for
Municipal engineers, utility managers, waste operators, consultants and equipment buyers.
What matters most on an IFAT Munich stand:
- Cutaways and process models.
- Site references.
- Service and spares information.
- Space for long technical talks.
Layouts for working machinery, by stand type
Most IFAT Munich 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 IFAT Munich
- A pump cutaway with lit flow paths.
- A sorting line video from a real plant.
- A map of reference sites.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Heavy vehicles and outdoor machines need delivery plans and ground checks. See outdoor stands.
Allow about 9–12 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 IFAT Munich
Large exhibits and outdoor space cost the most. A model of a process can be better value than shipping a heavy machine.
Mistakes we see at IFAT Munich
- Green imagery with no engineering.
- No proof from working sites.
An example IFAT Munich brief
A 12 × 8 m stand with a pump cutaway, a water-treatment process model, an indoor sampling display and four meeting tables, with a heavy-load check for the hero item.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your IFAT Munich 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
01How often is IFAT held?
Every two years in Munich. Confirm dates with the organiser.
02Do I need an outdoor plot?
Only if your vehicles or machines need one. Indoors, a model or cutaway may do the job.
03How early should I start designing an IFAT Munich stand?
For a custom stand, about 9–12 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my IFAT Munich 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.
