Leipzig’s congress landscape is heavily influenced by the city’s main business and scientific sectors. Leipzig deliberately brings conferences to the city that are thematically relevant. The aim is to encourage dialogue in these fields.
With three clearly defined innovation clusters and four focus industries, Leipzig has positioned itself as an attractive destination for international congresses. Renowned experts act as ambassadors for the location and play a key role in successfully attracting events.
54200
jobs
2022
the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Professor Svante Pääbo, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig
100000 m²
of state-of-the-art laboratory and office space at the BioCity Campus Leipzig
Leipzig boasts a diverse range of top institutions, research facilities and businesses. Numerous institutes, clinics and businesses work together in strong networks to systematically advance research and development projects. The life sciences innovation cluster focuses on biotechnology, medical technology and digital healthcare.
The University of Leipzig, the University of Leipzig Medical Center, the Heart Center Leipzig and the Max Planck Institutes are just some of the key scientific institutions, clinics and businesses that shape this innovation cluster. The aim is to become one of the top three locations for life sciences in Germany.
Trade fairs and congresses in the field of medicine also underline Leipzig’s importance as a centre for healthcare.
Other important forward-looking institutions in Leipzig:
- BIO CITY LEIPZIG
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI)
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG)
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
- Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig)
1400
businesses shaping the industry
2035
By then, Leipzig wants to become Germany’s leading digital economy location
Industry 4.0
is what Leipzig’s digital economy is aiming for
The digital economy innovation cluster represents one of the most important sectors in Leipzig. The city is a central location for the digital economy, where innovative software products are not only used, but also developed. From cloud computing, games and XR, artificial intelligence and IT security to industrial software – Leipzig is actively shaping digital change. Innovative players include Unite, Spreadshirt, SaxonQ and Appsfactory.
A vibrant start-up scene in Leipzig is setting new standards in gaming, e-commerce and data science. Networks such as Games & XR Mitteldeutschland, Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig and Cluster IT Mitteldeutschland promote dialogue and create synergies. Cooperation with other sectors such as green tech, life sciences, and the media and creative industries creates valuable synergies that make Leipzig even more competitive.
15800
jobs
2035
By then, Leipzig aims to strengthen its position as a location for technologies in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen, energy infrastructure, storage technologies and e-charging infrastructure.
2040
By then, Leipzig has set itself the goal of becoming carbon neutral.
The Leipzig region has lots of experience in the areas of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen, as well as energy infrastructure in the form of electricity and gas grids, storage technologies and e-charging stations. These come together to form the green tech innovation cluster.
The range of businesses and research institutes based here includes renowned players such as Verbundnetz Gas AG (VNG) and the European Energy Exchange AG (EEX), Germany’s only exchange for trading in electricity, gas and CO2 certificates.
In addition, there are institutions such as the German Biomass Research Centre and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), as well as a large number of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are at the forefront of future-oriented areas of environmentally relevant process engineering.
Together, these stakeholders contribute expertise to projects related to renewable energy, energy infrastructure, biomass research and environmental research in cooperation with business and science.
21700
jobs
780
businesses
1,9
billion euro turnover
Automotive stands for transformation and progress – from producing electric vehicles to autonomous driving. A high-tech manufacturing centre with Porsche and BMW plants, Leipzig is at the heart of the region. The rapid growth of the industry is benefiting many suppliers.
With plenty of jobs, an excellent infrastructure and close links between business and education, Leipzig is setting the standard for a future-proof automotive and supplier industry.
More and more suppliers have set up shop in the vicinity of the two ever-expanding plants. Around 170 suppliers are now based in the Leipzig economic region.
Industry networks involving research institutions are becoming increasingly important for long-term research and development partnerships in the automotive sector.
37000
jobs
1000
cargo flights pass through Europe’s fourth-largest air freight hub every week
200
destinations worldwide connected by Leipzig as a logistics region
Leipzig offers the best conditions for logistics companies thanks to the combination of favourable logistics-related factors such as air freight, rail freight transport and motorways.
The advantages of this combination are utilised by the numerous logistics companies located here. These include DHL, Amazon, Beiersdorf, momox and Future Electronics, which use the location as a central distribution hub.
By 2035, Leipzig aims to further develop its logistics sector, with a focus on more efficient fleets, lower-emission propulsion systems and reduced land use per logistics activity. The aim is to strengthen Leipzig’s role as a hotspot for digital innovation in logistics. This is made possible by excellent links with the scientific community, which is driving innovative projects such as Tri5G.
20.500
jobs
3800
businesses
32,7
million items held by the German National Library in Leipzig
Leipzig is a traditional media centre with a history of combining publishing and printing technology to achieve global renown and a high international profile. Leipzig Book Fair and the “Leipzig liest” reading festival have long supported the activities of this key sector.
Following the technological upheavals of the last 20 years, many new media have emerged alongside the medium of the book. This has been embraced as a challenge by all stakeholders and integrated into modern study programmes at the various educational institutions, including the University of Leipzig, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig), Leipzig University of Telecommunications (HfTL) and the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig.
Leipzig is considered a creative stronghold and is one of the top locations for media and creative industries in central Germany. In today’s digital world, Leipzig’s media and creative industries also form a creative alliance with sectors such as art, technology and business. The city’s creative industries combine the six sub-sectors of design, film, music, advertising, architecture and digital media. These are reinforced by strong networks and collaborations.
By 2035, the city plans to strengthen this focus industry by establishing new open spaces, supporting start-ups and founders, and promoting intensive collaboration between culture and business.
850
years as a trade fair and conference centre
3800 3,8
million overnight stays in 2023
70
measures included in Leipzig’s tourism development plan
With 3.8 million overnight stays in 2023, Leipzig is one of the most popular destinations in Germany. Full of music, culture and history, the city boasts a vibrant subculture of clubs, concerts and creative events. Leipzig is famous for the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the St Thomas Boys’ Choir and as the place where Bach, Mendelssohn, Goethe, the Schumanns and Wagner once lived and worked. The city played a pivotal role in the Peaceful Revolution, and its Wilhelminian architecture and leafy streets are impressive. Art centres such as the Baumwollspinnerei and the Museum of Fine Arts also attract large numbers of visitors each year.
As a trade fair city, Leipzig offers a modern congress and conference centre with a wide range of congress, conference and event venues.
Leipzig is set to become one of Germany’s top ten tourist destinations by 2035. To this end, the city actively promotes this focus industry and continually improves the quality of its services and tourist infrastructure.
Together with Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, Leipziger Messe GmbH and other partners, the city is working to implement its tourism development plan, which includes over 70 measures, including attracting business conferences.
The Leipzig Convention Bureau is at your service as a central point of contact – personally, free of charge and with a strong local partner network.