A global industry gathering for everyone who is rethinking and redesigning the world of work.
ORGATEC.
ORGATEC
ORGATEC in Cologne is the global industry hub for everyone who is rethinking and redesigning the worlds of work and contract furniture. Every two years, this leading international trade fair brings together leading brands, renowned experts and a high-calibre professional audience. The IBA is its conceptual sponsor and is responsible for the Wherever Whenever – Work Culture Festival, which took place for the first time in 2024 as part of ORGATEC.
The Mission
THE SPACE WE SHARE
Workplaces are becoming more flexible, hybrid and digital, and require environments that truly support productivity. ORGATEC demonstrates how work is done today: at home, on the move or in the office, from the desk to the cafeteria.
It provides inspiration for innovative, sustainable and technologically integrated workplaces and opens up new perspectives for shaping modern office cultures.
The next ORGATEC will take place from 27–30 October 2026 in Cologne.
The Role of the IBA
Conceptual Sponsor and Driving Force
ORGATEC is organised by Koelnmesse. The IBA is its conceptual sponsor. This means that the association and its members actively support the Koelnmesse team in preparing and running the leading international trade fair for modern office work. This includes determining the content of ORGATEC, supporting project management and press relations, and jointly implementing event formats. In addition, the IBA organises its own programme contributions, such as the Wherever Whenever – Work Culture Festival.
ORGATEC 2024: Review on Something Completely New
The first Work Culture Festival within the ORGATEC structure
As part of ORGATEC 2024, IBA and its members explored the changing world of work at the first Wherever Whenever – Work Culture Festival in October 2024. Together with more than 130 international experts from the fields of architecture, design and culture, new work, HR and trend research, they delved into the transformation of the world of work in lectures, panel discussions, interactive workshops and exhibitions.
The festival became a vibrant platform for all those involved in shaping the world of work. A review with videos and summaries of selected talks can be found on our festival website. The next Wherever Wehnever – Work Culture Festival will take place from 27 to 30 October 2026 in Cologne.
More impressions from the first Wherever Whenever – Work Culture Festival
On our YouTube channel
This is where future topics meet practical application: whether it’s beyond the office, work culture, sustainability or hybrid work, we provide inspiration for anyone who wants to actively shape the world of work. Our videos feature inspiring talks, keynotes and insights from the Work Culture Festival and other events. We combine space, technology and culture to create new perspectives for the future of work. Discover now, take inspiration and subscribe: @ibaforum
Review ORGATEC 2022
A Convincing Restart
After an involuntary long pause, Koelnmesse and the IBA once again invited exhibitors and visitors to the trade fair halls from 25 to 29 October 2022. The slogan was “New Visions of Work”. Around 600 exhibitors from 35 countries contributed to the event’s success. The IBA Forum was there as well, with the largest stage at ORGATEC 2022, four interesting partners and lots of inspiration.
You can find the recordings of the presentations in our media center.
Review 2020
Unintentional Pause
On account of the Covid-19 pandemic, ORGATEC 2020 had to be cancelled.
Review ORGATEC 2018
Two Conferences and 63,000 Visitors
From 23 to 27 October 2018, 63,000 people from 142 countries came to Cologne in order to find out about the latest trends in office work. In line with the slogan “Culture@Work”, the organizers and exhibitors showcased numerous ways to design office work. On display were products for office workplaces, concepts for project rooms and new ideas for communication and design areas in hotels, for example.
The highlights of the supporting programme were the second Time Conference Work & Style, the XING New Work Sessions ORGATEC and the presentation of the Best Workplace Awards by the IBA and the employer evaluation platform kununu. In addition, the IBA was represented by its own presentation stage.
The cover photo of the page: © Koelnmesse
