Deutsche Messe AG was founded on 16 August 1947 as Deutsche Messe- und Ausstellungs- AG (German Trade Fair and Exhibition Company) with a registered share capital of 1.2 million reichsmarks. This was an initiative of the British occupying forces in consultation with the commander-in-chief of the American zone.
The objective was to get Germany back on its feet economically by revving up its export business. After a 21-day run resulted in the signing of 1,934 export deals worth $31.6 million, the "Hannover Export Fair" was deemed a success.
