Trade show catering in Frankfurt:
the ultimate checklist

For smooth planning of your trade show appearance – from needs analysis to just-in-time logistics.

From booth construction to the last customer conversation

A trade show appearance in Frankfurt is a logistical powerhouse. Between booth handover and the first customer briefing, catering is often declared a “side issue” – until the first coffee machine breaks down or the bread rolls run out at 11:00 a.m.

To keep your team focused and your guests feeling welcome, we have summarized the most important planning points for catering at Messe Frankfurt.

1. Needs analysis: who eats what, and when?

Before you request quotes, you need to understand the dynamics of your booth. A tech booth with high visitor turnover needs different catering than a lounge for in-depth consulting conversations.

Crew catering
Plan at least 2.5 liters of water/spritzers per person and 3–4 coffee specialties per day.
Visitor snacks
Focus on bite-sized finger food. Anything that leaves crumbs on the carpet or stains on shirts is off-limits.
Evening events
Clarify upfront whether you are planning a booth party. Messe Frankfurt often applies separate fire-safety rules around open flames or gas.

2. Quantity planning: getting the numbers right

Nothing looks more unprofessional than an empty buffet in the early afternoon. Use these benchmarks for your calculation:

Coffee / tea
1.5 cups per visitor lead – calculate the team's own demand on top.
Cold drinks
0.5 liters per person per hour. In hot weather, add another 30 %.
Finger food (snack)
3–5 pieces per person, ideal for short meetings at the booth.
Lunch substitute
7–10 pieces per person – filling, but easy to digest.
Sweets / pastries
1–2 pieces per person, perfect for the afternoon slump.

3. On-booth infrastructure

The best catering fails without the right infrastructure. Check your booth plan for the following points:

Power supply
A professional portafilter espresso machine often needs a dedicated three-phase connection (16 A / 32 A). A regular socket usually isn't enough.
Water supply
Clarify whether you need a fixed water connection for the sink or will work with a canister system.
Storage space
Plan at least 2–3 sqm for empties, crates and supplies that should stay invisible to visitors.

4. Logistics on the exhibition grounds

Messe Frankfurt is a city of its own. Distances are long, and delivery windows are short.

Access permits
Make sure your caterer holds the necessary service licenses and access permits for the grounds.
Just-in-time
Because on-booth refrigeration is limited, we recommend daily deliveries in the morning before the show opens.

Pro tip – the “inclusion quota”: in an international setting like Frankfurt, vegan and gluten-free options are no longer a trend, they are the standard. Plan for at least 30 % to 40 % vegetarian or vegan portions today. This signals openness and professionalism toward every guest.

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How we plan your trade show catering

01
Briefing
We capture booth size, target audience, opening hours and your brand world.
02
Calculation
Based on our benchmarks, we build a quantity plan that fits your actual demand.
03
Infrastructure check
We verify power, water and storage at your specific location.
04
Just-in-time delivery
Fresh delivery from Offenbach – without ever breaking the cold chain.