Düsseldorf Congress strategically repositions Supervisory Board – Bernhard J. Stempfle elected Chairman / Managing Director Maria Kofidou confirmed until 2031
Düsseldorf, 24. Februar 2026
Düsseldorf Congress GmbH has reconstituted and streamlined its Supervisory Board. At its meeting on 10 February 2026, Bernhard J. Stempfle, Managing Director for Finance and Infrastructure at Messe Düsseldorf, was elected Chairman. Christian Zaum, City Treasurer and Head of Economic Affairs of the City of Düsseldorf, was appointed Deputy Chairman.
As early as September 2025, the City Council and the shareholders had extended the contract of Managing Director Maria Kofidou ahead of schedule for a further five years until the end of 2031. This decision confirms the company’s long-term strategic direction.
The newly constituted Supervisory Board combines corporate trade fair expertise with municipal responsibility and economic competence. Its objective is to accelerate decision-making processes, define key priorities more clearly, leverage synergies between the trade fair and congress businesses, and further strengthen Düsseldorf as a leading congress and business destination.
“The new Supervisory Board sends a clear signal: Düsseldorf’s trade fair and congress sector and the City work in close partnership. They reinforce one another and jointly support Düsseldorf’s economy. We will further expand this impact in the future – supported by clear responsibilities and focused strategic governance,” says the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Bernhard J. Stempfle.
The Supervisory Board now comprises:
- Bernhard J. Stempfle, Managing Director / CFO & CTO, Messe Düsseldorf (Chairman of the Supervisory Board)
- Christian Zaum, City Treasurer, City of Düsseldorf (Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board)
- Marius Berlemann, Managing Director / COO, Messe Düsseldorf
- Clemens Hauser, Executive Director Technical Operations, Messe Düsseldorf
- Jörk Cardeneo, Member of the City Council of Düsseldorf
- Giuseppe Saitta, Restaurateur and Member of the City Council of Düsseldorf
“With the newly composed Supervisory Board, we are pursuing clear, shared objectives for the further development of our company and the Düsseldorf location,” emphasises Managing Director Maria Kofidou. “The contract extension decided last year reflects the trust placed in our strategic direction. Together, we will continue to strengthen Düsseldorf’s position in the national and international congress and event market.”
Düsseldorf Congress is jointly owned (50/50) by the City of Düsseldorf and Messe Düsseldorf. The company operates the CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf and markets the adjacent exhibition grounds together with Messe Düsseldorf. Through international congresses, corporate events and large-scale productions, Düsseldorf Congress makes a significant contribution to the city’s economic vitality and to positioning Düsseldorf as a leading event and congress destination.
Press release (PDF) Press photo (JPG)
Image credit: ©Düsseldorf Congress/Peter Weihs | Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese
For further inquiries, please contact:
Düsseldorf Congress GmbH
Martin Rütten – Head of Marketing & Communication
T: +49 211 45608481
