it-sa in Nuremberg is one of the key dates in the calendar for companies working in IT security. If you exhibit there, you meet a knowledgeable audience that is actively looking for solutions and comparing suppliers on the spot. A convincing presence helps decide whether a brief conversation at the stand turns into a solid contact. The stand construction plays a bigger part in this than many people first assume, because it has to bring consultation, confidentiality and technology together on a single stand area.

This guide sets out what matters when you plan an exhibition stand it-sa. It describes the Nuremberg exhibition centre and its general conditions, looks at the particular requirements of IT security exhibitors, explains the most important technical rules and deadlines, and shows how to choose a sensible stand size and stand form. The text stays deliberately factual and quotes technical figures only with a source, because the binding reference is always the organiser's own documentation.

it-sa: Europe's Major Trade Fair for IT Security

it-sa Expo&Congress takes place every year in Nuremberg and positions itself as a trade fair focused on information security. According to the organiser, the range of topics runs from A for APT protection to Z for certification, covering areas such as cloud security, network security, data protection and managed security services. The exhibition is accompanied by a specialist congress that brings together talks and panel discussions on current security questions. NuernbergMesse describes the event as Europe's largest trade fair for IT security solutions (source: itsa365.de).

The target audience includes IT security officers, administrators, data protection officers and decision makers from companies and public bodies. For exhibitors, that means an audience with deep expertise and a concrete interest in procurement. The organiser is planning the 2026 edition for the end of October. NuernbergMesse publishes the binding dates and opening hours through its official channels, so you should confirm the exact schedule there before you start planning.

The Nuremberg Exhibition Centre at a Glance

According to NuernbergMesse, the Nuremberg exhibition centre has 16 exhibition halls with a total of around 180,000 square metres of gross exhibition space, plus up to 50,000 square metres of open-air grounds. Six entrance areas and roughly 13,500 parking spaces help distribute the flow of visitors (source: NuernbergMesse). it-sa occupies only part of this, in recent editions several connected halls.

Getting there is straightforward. The site sits close to the A3, A6, A9 and A73 motorways. Underground line U1 has its own station right at the exhibition centre and links it to Nuremberg central station within a few minutes. Nuremberg airport is around twelve kilometres away and is also connected by underground. This location matters for stand logistics too, because delivery and removal are governed by fixed access routes and time slots.

The structural parameters include the clear hall heights and the permissible floor loads. These values differ from hall to hall and are documented in the NuernbergMesse leaflet on the technical hall data. The binding reference is always the current technical guidelines of NuernbergMesse in the version for the relevant fair year. Check these documents early, because they determine rigging, build heights and how a stand is anchored to the hall floor.

Stand Requirements for the Exhibition Stand it-sa

An IT security stand depends on the ability to show software and solutions live. Demo stations need a stable and adequately sized data connection, which you should arrange in good time with the organiser or through the stand builder. Power supply matters just as much, because screens, server demos and lighting together create a noticeable load. Anyone discussing sensitive topics also needs zones where conversations cannot be overheard.

The following elements are often decisive for an IT security stand:

  • Demo stations with sufficient network and Wi-Fi capacity for live presentations
  • A planned power distribution with reserves for monitors, computers and equipment
  • Screened consultation zones or enclosed meeting rooms for confidential conversations
  • Secure storage for hardware and documents outside opening hours
  • A clear separation between open approach and quiet, discreet consultation

Discretion is not a nice-to-have for security topics, it is part of your credibility. A well thought out floor plan separates the open reception from protected areas where you can discuss references, architectures or specific offers without competitors or uninvolved visitors listening in.

Presentation and Meeting Zones

Many exhibitors use a small forum or a stage on the stand to present solutions in short slots. Such zones draw an audience and give your team a fixed framework to answer recurring questions in one place. It is important that presentation areas and consultation seats do not disturb each other, neither acoustically nor in the flow of visitors.

A well planned visitor route guides interested people from the first eye-catcher through the demo to the conversation. Plan for enough seating and, where possible, a simple appointment system, so that arranged meetings do not get lost in the crowd. At a heavily attended trade fair in particular, a clear structure pays off, because it helps your team look after many contacts sensibly in a short space of time.

Technical Guidelines and Deadlines

The technical guidelines of NuernbergMesse apply to every stand build. Among other things, they govern the permissible build heights, the sight screens towards neighbouring stands, the escape routes and the fire protection requirements. Stand construction materials generally have to meet at least fire protection class B1, which means they count as flame retardant. For special constructions and structures, such as rigging or multi-storey elements, a structural calculation is often required.

Before the build comes the stand construction approval. For this, you submit dimensioned stand plans with a floor plan and elevation to the organiser, and the build may only begin once approval has been granted. NuernbergMesse defines the exact deadlines and formal requirements, so you should factor them into your schedule early. A realistic lead time of several months for planning, approval and production makes sense, so that in the end there is enough time for coordination. The binding reference is always the current technical guidelines in the version for the relevant year.

Stand Builders for it-sa

A full-service stand builder accompanies your presence from the first idea to dismantling. This includes consultation and concept, design and three-dimensional visualisation, production in an in-house workshop, as well as assembly, logistics and the storage of reusable components. For it-sa, that means stand construction and technology are considered together from the start, from the data connection through the lighting to the consultation zones.

the Trendsetzerei GmbH is based in Offenbach am Main in the Rhine-Main region and works nationwide, which includes Nuremberg. With an in-house vehicle fleet, logistics are a firm part of the service, so that transport, delivery and assembly at the Nuremberg exhibition centre are coordinated from one team. We are not based on site in Nuremberg, but we plan the routes there from the outset. You can find an overview of the individual phases under exhibition stand services.

Choosing the Stand Size and Stand Form

The right stand form depends on your floor space and on the position in the hall. A row stand is open only to the aisle side and suits compact appearances. A corner stand sits on two open sides and offers more visibility. A peninsula stand is open on three sides, and an island stand stands free and is accessible from all sides. As openness increases, so do the design options, but also the demands on clear zoning.

With IT security topics in particular, it is worth looking at the internal layout. Open zones for the first contact, demo areas and protected meeting areas should complement one another sensibly. Which stand types exist and how they differ is explained in detail on our page about stand types. This makes it possible to decide early which form fits your goals and your budget.

Conclusion

A successful appearance at it-sa combines professional substance with a stand that brings consultation, technology and discretion together. If you take account of the Nuremberg exhibition centre, the technical guidelines and the deadlines early, you gain room for the actual task, namely convincing your audience. You should always check the values and dates mentioned against the official documentation of NuernbergMesse, because that is where the binding information is set out.

If you are planning your exhibition stand for it-sa and are looking for support from concept to dismantling, we are glad to accompany you. You can reach the Trendsetzerei GmbH by phone on +49 69 201 65 001 and by email at info@dietrendsetzerei.de. You can find further ways to get in touch on our contact page.