Largest industry platform with product innovations and know-how for business operation / High quality of trade visitors.
«Water is our element. Innovation is our drive.» – this was the motto of interbad 2026, which has just drawn to a successful close in Stuttgart. Around 7,500 visitors attended the trade fair between 6 and 8 October to obtain information from some 300 exhibiting companies. interbad 2026, organised by Messe Stuttgart together with the German Association for Public Swimming Pools (Deutsche Gesellschaft für das Badewesen e. V. – DGfdB), placed a clear focus on the needs of swimming pool, sauna and spa operators. The goal of combining an expert programme with product presentations directly in the exhibition hall was successfully achieved.
interbad underlined its international importance with a foreign visitor share of 25 percent and exhibitors from 28 countries. The quality of the trade visitors was also impressive: 82 percent are involved in purchasing and procurement decisions and came to Stuttgart with concrete buying or investment intentions. Overall, the visitors gave the trade fair a rating of 2.0 (with 1 being the best possible mark).
New stage for current topics
A new, open stage complemented the specialist programme in the hall and was very well received. The programme started with a keynote speech by Thomas Lurz, multiple world champion and Olympic medallist in open water swimming. With a different focus on each day of the trade fair, the stage programme covered a whole range of topics from designing attractive swimming pool facilities and new longevity concepts through to efficient operation. In a further presentation format, specialists responsible for swimming pool and spa operations were given practical ideas and know-how for their everyday work.
«interbad brings together people from Germany and abroad in Stuttgart who are shaping the future of swimming pools, saunas and spas. The high quality of the trade visitors is a particular strength of interbad,» says Claudia Döttinger Vice President of Messe Stuttgart. «The positive feedback confirms our concept, which closely combines product innovations, know-how and personal networking in the exhibition hall.»
Industry dialogue and strong initiatives
The 71st DGfdB Congress successfully examined key topics from the swimming pool and spa industry in greater depth. The English-language International Session and the programme blocks «Pool and bath construction and technology» as well as «Personnel and operations» provided fresh insights. «The 71st DGfdB Congress showed clearly that we have to consider the future of our pools and baths holistically: from construction and technology and qualified personnel through to viable operating concepts,» says Christian Mankel, Managing Director of the DGfdB. «interbad offers a platform for this through direct exchange between industry professionals, companies and decision-makers. To ensure the preservation of our pools and baths, we must keep speaking up about the issues that concern us in order to reach as many people as possible and raise awareness for the topic amongst them.»
Participation of the Italian swimming pool association, Acquanet – Associazione Italiana dei Costruttori di Piscine, at interbad promotes knowledge transfer and the exchange of innovations. This benefits the competitiveness and high quality standards of the Italian swimming pool industry.
Award-winning innovations for pool and bath operation
The interbad Innovation Award demonstrates just how varied innovations can be. The solutions entered ranged from individually configurable water slides and a campaign for mutual respect through to new construction materials, pool linings and water treatment processes.
The following innovations were recognised with awards:
• 1st place: STEULER-KCH GmbH with Steuler BekaBoost, a penetration-free system.
• 2nd place: THE PAULY GROUP GmbH & Co. KG with the Geomatrix® filter bed for biological water treatment – completely chlorine-free.
• 3rd place: AQUARENA GmbH with SmartSlide, the first water slide that guests can configure directly using an app.
Preview of interbad 2028
The next interbad will take place at Messe Stuttgart from 10 to 12 October 2028. The trade fair will consistently focus on the interests of swimming pool, sauna and spa operators, thereby further sharpening its profile.
