Messe Stuttgart has announced a strategic expansion of its international trade fair portfolio with the launch of a new exhibition in Southeast Asia. The German organiser revealed that it will introduce R+T South-East Asia, a regional edition of the globally recognised R+T trade fair alliance for the sun shading and doors/gates industry. This decision represents a significant step in strengthening Messe Stuttgart’s presence in the ASEAN market, reflecting growing demand for construction, design and technology solutions in the region.
Scheduled to debut from 11–13 November 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), the new event will be held concurrently with two other major exhibitions: FutureBuild Asia and DOMOTEX South East Asia. Together, these three shows aim to create a broad industry platform addressing construction, building technologies and interior design needs across Southeast Asia’s dynamic markets.
Sebastian Esswein, Vice-President of Messe Stuttgart, emphasised that R+T South-East Asia is part of the organisation’s ongoing strategy to expand globally and support industry stakeholders in key growth regions. He pointed to Thailand’s role as a gateway to ASEAN, noting its strategic position and rapidly developing construction sector as important factors in the decision.
Thailand is currently the second-largest construction market within ASEAN, with infrastructure projects, smart city initiatives and government policies such as the Bio-Circular-Green economy model driving demand for innovative and sustainable products and technologies. Organisers believe the new fair will respond to these market dynamics by providing a specialised forum for business engagement and technological exchange.
R+T South-East Asia will concentrate on three core segments under one roof: sun protection systems (including awnings, roller shutters, Venetian blinds and technical textiles), doors and gates (with an emphasis on drives, control systems and smart home technologies), and interior and exterior design elements, such as outdoor furniture and soft furnishings.
The event is being organised in cooperation with local and international partners, including Worldex G.E.C. Co. Ltd., Messe Hannover and GLOBUS Events, and will join a global network of R+T exhibitions ranging from Europe and China to North America and Turkey.
Overall, this expansion consolidates Messe Stuttgart’s international footprint and underscores its commitment to facilitating industry growth and cross-border collaboration.
