INTERSCHUTZ

Event and Venue Setting Update 

The 2026 edition of Interschutz will take place between the 1st of June and the 6th of June 2026. The edition will take place as a live event in Messe Hannover.

A Brief Overview of Hannover Fairground

Hannover Fairground or Messegelände Hannover is a former plane works station. It became an event venue in 1947 when the location served as a substitute for the Leipzig Trade Fair. The venue is a modern fairground that features glass, high ceilings and ample foliage. This helps to create an appealing location that promotes a productive business atmosphere. The venue features a total indoor space of 496,000 m2. This space is divided between 27 halls and a congress centre. The congress centre is composed of 35 meeting rooms and has a total capacity of 1,300 attendees. It also features an outdoor area of 58,000 m2. Due to the venue’s ample hosting space and versatility, it hosts around 65 main trade fairs. Such include Interschutz.

Industry Relevance

Interschutz is a quinquennial event that takes place at Hannover Fairground. It is a leading meeting, networking, and procurement platform for the safety industry. It attracts professionals such as civil protection, firefighting, rescue and security experts. The event has a leading role due to it presenting the latest industry innovations. It is also invaluable for professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and hone their skills. For many industry specialists, Interschutz is also one of the primary recognition-providing events. 

Why Is Your Visit Worth It?

Interschutz receives over 155,000 safety and security industry attendees. The 2015 edition of the fair, for instance, featured 157,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors. The fair received visitors and exhibitors from around 60 countries, including:

• The United States;
• Italy;
• Turkey;
• Switzerland;
• Saudi Arabia;
• India;
• Poland;
• The Netherlands;
• Singapore;
• Russia;
• Australia;
• France;
• Malaysia;
• Mexico;
• Hungary;
• China;
• Canada;
• The United Kingdom;
• The Czech Republic.

Who Are You Going to Meet?

As mentioned, Interschutz attracts many professionals from the security and safety industry. Such include:

Many safety and security associations attend Interschutz. Examples include the German Fire Service Association. Additionally, the fair attracts educational institutions such as universities, vocational schools and colleges. An example of such an institution is the Johanniter Academy. Among the companies that exhibit at Interschutz is the American Pacific Corporation.

What is Included in the Event Programme?

Professionals can achieve seven business goals by attending Interschutz. Among them is honing their skills and expanding their specialist knowledge. It also includes conducting business onsite, overviewing the attending sectors and networking. Furthermore, Interschutz enables specialists to gain recognition and learn about innovations. 

Interschutz allows professionals to complete such important goals by providing opportunities. These are available via the event’s comprehensive support programme. Each of the editions features a central theme or motto that determines the events’ topics. “Teams, Tactics, Technology”, for instance, focuses on three topics. These are digitalisation, collaboration, and connectedness. The central theme also influences the types of wares that receive special focus. For instance, the 2022 edition includes the showcasing of the latest digitalisation applications. It additionally incorporates presenting the newest organisation or institution collaboration challenge solutions. 

Among the support programme's leading sub-events is the comprehensive exhibition. It is the central presentation stage for industry-related companies and organisations. This includes start-ups and leading enterprises. This is due to the exposition providing procurement, recognition-granting and networking opportunities. The exhibition showcases the latest civil protection, rescue service, security, and firefighting innovations. It includes six permanent exhibition themes. Three or more sub-themes comprise each theme. The exhibition themes are:

• Communications & Control Centre Solutions

• Rescue Services

• Protective Equipment

• Civil Protection

• Fire Prevention

• Fire Fighting

Each exhibition theme is available in a different location, such as a single hall or a group of them. For instance, hall 16 is the location for the Communication & Control Centre Solutions theme. It is the show zone for security equipment, control stations or signalling technologies. The topic features seven sub-themes that also serve as product categories. The sub-themes are:

• Information and organisation systems

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Hardware and software

• Measuring and detection apparatus

• Security equipment, control station and signalling technology

• Mechanical security technology

• Equipment for surveillance and control

The latest emergency rescue products are available in Rescue Services. The zone is available at halls 17 and 26. Products include hydraulic rescue tools, emergency vehicle equipment, winches, generators and cutting tools. They also feature wares such as backup power generators and hi-lift jacks. The exhibition topic incorporates three sub-themes. These are:

• Vehicles and their equipment

• Associations, organisations, and service businesses

• Rescue, emergency, first-aid, and (para)medical equipment

The exhibition theme known as Protective Equipment is available in halls 11, 14, and 15. It is the central presentation stage for wares such as fire/civil protection PPE. It also presents innovative smart textiles and integrated communication solutions. Such solutions aid in protecting the wearer and increasing their efficiency. The four sub-themes are:

• Personal protective equipment

• Measuring and detection apparatus

• Fire station and workshop equipment

• Associations, organisations, service providers

The Civil Protection exhibition theme is available in hall 17. It is the main presentation stage for the latest disaster management mobilisation solutions. Such include emergency products like mobile power supplies and disaster relief equipment. Such equipment features emergency nutrition/hydration rations, survival tools and others. The sub-themes featured in this exhibition theme are:

• Vehicles and their equipment

• Associations, organisations, and service businesses

• Equipment for technical support and disaster relief

Fire Prevention is the exhibition theme presented in halls 12 and 13. It is the presentation stage for fire prevention solutions. This includes structural fire protection, fire prevention, detection, and suppression systems. Fire Prevention features two sub-themes. These are:

• Structural engineering, technical fire and building protection

• Associations, organisations, and service businesses

Fire Fighting focuses on active fire fighting products. Such include firefighter equipment, hardware, software, and R&D solutions. The R&D solutions include the latest digital technologies and connected operation solutions. The sub-themes of Fire Fighting include:

• Vehicles and their equipment

• Service companies, associations, organisations

• Workshop and fire station equipment

• Technology and agents for extinguishing fires

Many of the exhibition theme areas feature a series of sub-events. Such micro-events enable attendees to complete different goals. Among them is expanding their specialist knowledge, networking and gaining recognition. They additionally allow attendees to hone their professional skills. For instance, the Civil Protection area contains two sub-events:

• The Civil Protection or CP Symposium

• The Summit for Civil Protection and Rescue Services 

The CP Symposium is a two-day sub-event. It is a conference comprised of various sessions and presentations. Between 10 am and 12:30 pm on both days, the Symposium takes place. Each edition features a theme that influences the main topics. For instance, the 2022 edition features the theme — Transcending Borders. The theme incorporates the topics: 

• Cross-border disaster relief cooperation

• Extreme weather condition management. 

Before the lectures begin, professionals can attend a shared lunch. During the meal, they will meet representatives from civil protection companies. Vehicle, technology and industry-related service providers are among the companies that are present. Discussions on a variety of topics take place during the meal. The discussed topics range from cross-border disaster cooperation to civil protection challenges. For public-sector authority leaders and aid organisation decision-makers, the Symposium can be invaluable. This is due to the sub-event providing information about the latest sector challenges. 

The Summit for Civil Protection and Rescue Services is important for certain professionals. These include civil protection experts, medical rescuers and disaster planners. The reason is that the Summit serves as a networking and recognition-providing platform. Attendees can take part in the Summit as speakers or delegates. The sub-event provides attendants with the latest information related to:

• Integrated risk management

• Rescue vehicle standards

• Resilience training of critical situation relief units

• Emergency vehicle decontamination

• Training-purpose VR simulation developments

Each presentation or lecture will take place in English or German. 

Three special events form the support programme of the Fire Fighting exhibition theme. They include: 

• Live demonstrations at the Demonstration Site

• Partner Country Days

• The German Firefighting Convention

The Demonstration Site allows professional firefighters/rescuers to hone and showcase their skills. It is an outdoor area where attendees can observe demonstrations of different scenarios. These include firefighting and presentations about rescue services. The shows take place on all six event days. The hosting times are between 10 am and 6 pm, with the location of the Demonstration Site being north of hall 26. The Partner Country Days showcase how different countries handle rescue and firefighting operations. Each Country Day shows how the particular nation organises fire fighting/rescue operations. For instance, one of the Days features Germany presenting forest fire extinguishing. A leading sub-event for the German fire departments is the German Firefighting Convention. It consists of a series of micro-events that concentrate on several topics. These are civic engagement, youth, and Central European cooperation. The micro-events featured in the programme include educational presentations and lectures. The German Firefighting Convention is also the meeting location for two delegate types. These are government policymakers and firefighters. During the Convention, such delegates can network and discuss potential policy changes. 

Interschutz features several competitions as part of its support programme. These enable professionals to hone their skills as well as compete for recognition. The leading competitions include: 

• FireFit European Championships

• S-Gard Safety Tour

• Holmatro Rescue Challenge

Among the most vital competitions for professional firefighters is the FireFit European Championships. The championships examine the mental abilities, fitness, strength, and speed of firefighters. The FireFit Championships take place on all six event days, with the hosting occurring between 9 am and 5 pm. The hosting location is the open-air area located in front of the East Entrance stairs. During the first four event days, attendees can observe the qualification tests. These determine the competitors for the finals that occur on the last two days. Organisers host a medal ceremony for the winners of the day. Firefighters can compete in three formats:

• Relay Team (1-5 contestants relaying a baton)

• Individual (single firefighters)

• Tandem (two firefighters compete as a team)

The listed trials will test the contestants during the Championships:

• Hose Hoist and Stair Descent 

• Victim Rescue (conducted via a state-of-the-art training dummy)

• Forcible Entry (conducted via the use of a state-of-the-art chopping simulator)

• Run and Hose Advance

• Stair Climb (HAIX stair tower with a total height of 12 metres and consisting of three flights)

The S-Gard Safety Tour can be invaluable to certain attendee groups. These include professional firefighters, rescue service teams and emergency medical professionals. The reason is that the Tour allows them to better their skills and to gain recognition. The Safety Tour is a training program that includes real-life scenarios. Every scenario has a setting that is as realistic as possible. Attendees take part by entering an eight-person team and competing against other teams. S-Gard Tour is available twice per event day. The morning event format can be helpful for firefighters. The afternoon session is ideal for rescue workers, emergency medicine rescuers, and firefighters. To take part in the S-Gard Tour, attendees must meet several requirements:

• Rescue personnel must have a complete rescue service training course. All such personnel must carry shoes, a helmet, and gloves.

• Firefighter participants must have completed the basic firefighting and respiratory protection training courses.

• Firefighter participants must also have a valid G 26.3 examination certificate.

The morning event programme includes six scenarios:

• Rescuing trapped people using hydraulic equipment

• Handling flammable substance leaks on railway premises

• Handling hazardous substance leaks in other situations

• INTERSCHUTZ Pyramid: foam contamination alarm

• Post-respiratory emergency rescue: steps to take

• Entrapment in a hazardous building: opening windows and doors 

The afternoon event programme includes four scenarios:

• A child trapped in a sandpit and under high emotional stress

• A person with severe burns during an explosion accident 

• Person trapped under a bus 

• Person trapped under a truck 

The Holmatro Rescue Challenge also helps attendees in honing their skills. It consists of 29 teams competing to extricate a trapped person from a car in 20 minutes. The Challenge can help attendees in improving their emergency management skills. An expert panel consisting of international experts examines each of the 29 teams. The three most successful of the teams will earn a prize. The prizes are worth a total sum of 50 000 euros. Before each team begins, they will receive instructions on using the provided equipment. They will also receive instructions on how to free trapped people. 

Often, Interschutz features special events and exhibition topics that reflect the current trends. One such example is the Digitalisation & Transformation Special Show and Area. It showcases the latest innovations and developments related to the digitalisation megatrend. During the Special Show, attendees can examine safety/security sector collaboration-improving wares. The Special Show also includes a series of sub-events. These include:

• Smart Public Safety Hub

• Future trends in public safety

• Spread the Word Lounge

The Safety Hub is the presentation stage for digitalisation innovators such as start-ups. At the Hub, such exhibitors present innovations such as seamless data exchange solutions. The Future Trends is an educational sub-event. It provides insights into future civil security technological, social and organisational trends. Spread the Word Lounge is the networking location for members of the press. Such include journalists, bloggers, editors, and influencers. At the Lounge, such attendees can host interviews. The Hygiene Sector Get-together is another special sub-event that reflects the current trends. It is where attendees can learn about PPE cleaning, decontamination, reusability, and disposal.

Interschutz is a must-attend for safety and security industry professionals. Such include:

Your Hotel Accommodation in Hannover

GETA ltd takes charge of your business travel accommodation, so you can save time. All we request to find the best hotel deals are your preferences, price range, and desired hotel type. We work with all manner of hotels in Hannover. Such include luxury brands and affordable bed-and-breakfasts. Whether your travelling group is large or small, you can rely on GETA. We can book you a hotel for Interschutz that reduces expenses and will deliver comfort!

Event times and City Logistics

Interschutz takes place every five years at the Hannover Fairground. It occurs for six days. The visiting hours for all types of attendees is between 9 am to 6 pm. With the aid of several partners, Deutsche Messe AG organises the event. Such include the German Fire Brigade Association.

The Hannover Fairground is a leading exhibition centre with a convenient location. Its location is close to the airport terminal and the central railway station. As a result, you can reach the event centre using public transport and save time. For instance, you can travel to the site from the Hannover Airport in 60 minutes by bus or metro. Likewise, you can access the exhibition centre in 40 minutes from the central station via bus. As alternatives, you can travel to the site from the main transport hubs via rent-a-car or taxi. In such instances, the travelling time will be 30 minutes. Hannover Fairground is also easy to access from local communities such as Pattensen. For example, you can access the venue from Hildesheim in 30 minutes by train. You can access the site from Pattensen in 43 minutes via bus. 

Hannover is the state capital of Lower Saxony. It is a large metropolis city with an extensive public transport network. The public transports available include various bus, train, and metro lines. As a result, you can travel within the city and its surroundings while saving time. For instance, via train, you can reach the city centre from the airport in 17 minutes. Likewise, you can access Herrenhausen from the central station in 29 minutes. Hannover is among the popular tourist locations to visit in Germany. Due to its popularity, the city offers a variety of dining and accommodation options. For instance, you can select from over 600 hotels, hostels, apartments and guest houses. Likewise, there are more than 100 restaurants, bars, cafés, beer gardens and nightclubs. You can also opt to sample food available at local markets, in particular during the holidays. When considering where to stay, opt for districts such as Mitte, List and Herrenhausen. You can also opt for locations such as Nordstadt, Kleefeld, and Sahlkamp. Local cities that can provide accommodation include Pattensen and Hildesheim.