Security in Focus: Messe Stuttgart as Host of the CDU Party Conference

When a major political event takes place on the grounds of Messe Stuttgart – such as the recent CDU Party Conference – it’s far more than just a typical guest event. Thousands of attendees, prominent guests, and the highest security requirements all demand perfectly coordinated teamwork among many different parties. We spoke with John Crouch, Project Manager, and Christian-Benjamin Skora, Traffic & Security Manager, about how such an event is planned and implemented.

Mr. Crouch, Mr. Skora, how far in advance do you start planning an event of this scale – especially when it comes to security?

John Crouch: “Basically, the earlier the better. When it comes to security-related issues, time is a crucial factor. In the case of the CDU Party Conference, we started the initial talks in September 2025. One of the biggest challenges was the sheer number of parties involved – from our own departments to the CDU’s security services, right up to the police and federal authorities. Everyone had to work in close coordination to develop a coherent overall security concept.”

Christian Skora: “The dynamic nature of such an event adds another layer of complexity. For instance, the travel arrangements of politicians can change at short notice. That means procedures must remain flexible. What’s essential is that all those involved stay in constant communication – that’s the only way to handle changes safely and smoothly.”

How does an event like the CDU Party Conference differ from normal trade fair operations?

Christian Skora: “In regular trade fair operations, many processes are standardized. But at a political conference with high-security requirements, special conditions apply – such as restricted access times or additional checkpoints. These have a major impact on logistics. Flexibility is key here, both for us and for our partners on the site.”

John Crouch: “In addition, the CDU, as an experienced organizer of high-security events, operates very professionally, which makes collaboration much easier. Still, it remains our responsibility at Messe Stuttgart to ensure overall coordination and to adapt our infrastructure so that everyone involved can work in the best possible conditions. This ability – to efficiently manage complex operations – is one of our great strengths.”

How was security organized during the event itself?

Christian Skora: “For the conference, a dedicated security control center was set up on the premises. It brought together representatives of Messe Stuttgart, the police, and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) at one table. This greatly accelerated communication and was a key factor in the event’s success. Our modern video and communication technology was also integrated there – an example of how our infrastructure supports the work of the authorities. Fortunately, the conference ran smoothly and without any security incidents. Nevertheless, it was essential to be prepared – and we were.”

What personal takeaways do you have from this event?

John Crouch: “The CDU Party Conference once again showed that the collaboration between our internal teams and external partners works extremely well. This experience will benefit us in future projects, too.”

Christian Skora: “For us, it was further confirmation that our structures and processes remain robust even under special conditions – and that together with our partners, we can handle any challenge, from the first planning meeting all the way to dismantling.”