• 03/25/2026

“Digital Champion”: Nuremberg Scores Triple Top Ranking

Three top rankings for Nuremberg in the field of digitalization. In the Germany Test, the city, the trade fair, and the airport received excellent scores and can now call themselves “Digital Champions 2026.”

Written by Reinhold Gebhart

The image shows the NCC Mitte entrance area of the Nuremberg Exhibition Center during the embedded world Exhibition & Conference. The scene depicts a bustling entrance area with dynamic movement. In front of the glass-walled building, several people are moving in different directions. Some are wearing jackets, coats, or backpacks. A large banner with the logo and text “embedded world Exhibition & Conference” hangs above the entrance.

The cross industry and scientifically supported data collection was conducted by ServiceValue, commissioned by Germany Test and Focus Money. Around 16,500 companies across Germany were examined in 2024 and 2025.

The methodology included comprehensive monitoring: identifying, collecting, analyzing, and evaluating online information (social listening), as well as crawling several hundred million online sources with the help of artificial intelligence. In a second step, an extensive questionnaire was sent to the companies.

NürnbergMesse: Major Steps Toward Digital Excellence

“This award is both a great recognition and an incentive for us to continue consistently on our path – and to actively shape the digital transformation not only of NürnbergMesse but of our entire industry,” says Dr. Martin Kassubek, Senior Vice President Business Development at the NürnbergMesse Group.

Significant progress has already been made on the path toward a future‑oriented trade fair infrastructure – with the development of solutions ranging from intelligent visitor management and digital platforms to data‑driven services for exhibitors and organizers.

This year, the new eCommerce platform is celebrating its premiere. It enables NürnbergMesse customers to design their trade fair participation. The ordering process has been completely redesigned and tailored to customer needs. The platform will be used for the first time at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE and will then be rolled out to all own events over the course of the 2026 exhibition year.

With these and other digital innovations, NürnbergMesse placed second among exhibition venues in the ServiceValue study.

The scene shows a heavily trafficked entrance or passageway area at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center. Many people are moving toward the exhibition halls or standing in small groups throughout the space. Individuals wear various types of clothing such as jackets, coats, suits, or sweaters. In the background, large illuminated signage displays hall numbers and directional information, including signs for FENSTERBAU FRONTALE and HOLZ-HANDWERK. The scene shows a busy trade fair environment with high visitor traffic.
At FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2026, the NürnbergMesse’s new eCommerce platform is being used for the first time – a key component of the company’s digital service portfolio.

Public Sector: City of Nuremberg as a Digital Trailblazer

The City of Nuremberg ranked first in the “Public Sector” category, earning recognition for its consistent digitalization strategy. A result that delighted Lord Mayor Marcus König: “Being a Digital Champion is both recognition and obligation to continue developing digital services consistently – always with the people who live in our city in mind.”

Among these services is the digital authority guide, a search portal covering all municipal services. Numerous administrative services are digitally available to both residents and businesses, including vehicle registration and re‑registration, residence registration, and more. Appointment preferences for in‑person visits can be submitted online or booked directly.

In 2025, the city already received an award for its holistic data management – the “Digital Award” at the public administration trade fair Kommunale, held at the NürnbergMesse Exhibition Center.

Nuremberg Airport Among the Top 5

Nuremberg Airport was also recognized. Fifth place among German airport operators rewards continuous investment in digital services and service‑oriented infrastructure. “For us, this is an important incentive to continue on our chosen path,” says Commercial Director Klaus Dotzauer.

Since April 2025, the airport has been using electronic parking space monitoring with license plate recognition. It serves as an effective tool for resolving traffic issues in the “Kiss & Fly” zone in front of the terminal. Brand new is the AI‑powered chatbot on the airport website. According to Dotzauer, “a customer service tool already receiving high traffic – while also easing the workload of the main information desk.”

Additionally, a virtual tour now allows interested visitors to explore nearly the entire public area of Nuremberg Airport using state‑of‑the‑art 360° camera technology. For partners and potential customers, it also offers insights into advertising opportunities in the terminal, outdoor areas, and on the apron.

Nuremberg is broadly positioned when it comes to digitalization – thanks in part to its universities, the ZOLLHOF Tech Incubator, and the annual Digital Festival. The three top rankings now achieved serve as confirmation and increase visibility: from “hidden champion” to “Digital Champion.”

Author

Portrait of Reinhold Gebhart
Reinhold Gebhart
Online-Redaktion // Editor for Vincentz Network