The leading players in the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and construction industries came to the Wels trade fair to learn about innovations, trends, and current topics from around 380 exhibitors, including 60 first-time exhibitors.

Of a total of 72,748 visitors, 21,876 trade visitors from all federal states, especially Upper and Lower Austria, Styria, Salzburg, and Tyrol, as well as neighboring countries, and WSED conference participants from over 50 countries worldwide, were registered on-site. The strong attendance of trade visitors on Thursday confirmed the trade fair's status as Austria's most important industry meeting place. Since its founding in 1985, WEBUILD has made a decisive contribution to the energy and heat transition, as well as to environmental and climate protection, by serving as Austria's leading annual trade fair and central platform for innovations and world firsts in the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning technology sectors.

The presentation of product premieres by industry leaders prior to the ISH in Frankfurt, exhibitor innovations awarded with the “EnergyGenie” of the state of Upper Austria (for which over 30 products were submitted), as well as the multitude of new products, demonstrate that WEBUILD is the leading platform for innovations.The WEBUILD Energy Saving Fair became a place for cautious optimism in a challenging time for everyone. Despite subdued expectations and an uncertain economic situation, the feedback from many exhibitors indicates growing confidence. I think we're on a promising path, and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.“, says trade fair director Mag. Robert Schneider.

Current topics and challenges

The challenges of climate change and rising operating costs are omnipresent. Markus Steinbrecher, Managing Director of the plumbing and heating wholesaler Holter, cites specific concerns of visitors: "Issues that concern people are climate change, increased operating costs and supply insecurity." This shows that the industry is required to present solutions that make both ecological and economic sense. Steinbrecher also says: "Many of our customers are unsettled by the funding situation, which is clearly reflected in demand. This decline threatens not only jobs but the entire industry. Therefore, rapid clarification on funding is needed to create planning certainty and get the economy back on track. The new government must ensure reliable and long-term stable framework conditions.."

Continuous growth and drive for innovation

Exhibitors emphasize the industry's steady growth and innovative strength, for whom the trade fair is the place where these innovations can best be presented in person with trade visitors. For Sabrina Dierks of BWT Austria, Wels is the icing on the cake of trade fairs, where everyone wants to be to present themselves. This is probably one reason why the Austrian company took the opportunity to present a world premiere in water treatment at the Wels trade fair. Thomas Mader of Stiebel Eltron emphasizes the importance of dialogue: "The trade fair is a great platform to receive feedback and communicate with our customers and partners on an equal footing.Other long-standing exhibitors highlighted the high-quality discussions with the skilled trades, the networking with existing customers, but also with potential new customers, which overall led to a positive mood both in the SHK trade and among processors, trade and industry in the construction industry.

Focus on energy transition and heat pumps

A central theme of the trade fair was the need for a heat transition. Karl Ochsner of Ochsner Wärmepumpen stated: "There will be no energy transition without a heat transition. The trade fair is the best place to learn about the latest trends..” This shows the strong trend towards sustainable heating solutions that serve climate protection.

Reach target groups accurately

David Wiesinger of Peak-PV GmbH emphasizes the central role of the energy saving fair as a communication platform: “The energy saving fair is the focal point for companies like us.“ And Elisabeth Bargmann from the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection adds: “At the Energy Saving Fair, we reach exactly the people we want to reach. The topics of heating replacement and renewable energies are more relevant than ever.."

Concrete investments

The Energy Saving Fair is a platform for exchanging ideas and networking. Dr. Gerhard Dell of the Upper Austrian Energy Saving Association describes the fair as a place "to complete your project in one day, whether it's heating or construction." Numerous visitors who had secured federal funding for the "Get Out of Oil and Gas" program before the end of the year gathered information at the booth of the Upper Austrian Energy Saving Association or the State of Upper Austria and then kicked off their own concrete investment projects with a discussion with the exhibiting industry. Particular interest was shown by providers of renewable heating systems, as well as PV, battery storage, and energy management systems.

Win-win situation

Despite the challenging economic environment, trade fairs like the WEBUILD Energy Savings Fair in Wels are places that exude a positive energy and send a clear signal of confidence. This year's Energy Savings Fair once again clearly demonstrated that the transition to renewable energies is a win-win situation for everyone: "It protects the environment and our own wallets, while simultaneously creating jobs and added value in Upper Austria's energy technology sector," emphasized Markus Achleitner, State Councilor for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Accompanying program, meetings and conferences

The specialist presentations on the trade fair stages and the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) conference, which attracted nearly 600 participants from more than 50 countries, offer additional opportunities to acquire knowledge and discover innovative ideas. Other examples include the board meeting of the OaseBad advertising association, the Wärmepumpe Austria association, and the Fair Energy Partner association, the plenary session of the umbrella brand of the Federal Guild of Installers, the meeting of the state guild masters with the directors and deputies of Austria's vocational schools, the meeting of the LSI master installers, and the Jourfix 2025 of the Austrian Biomass Association.

The extensive accompanying program, characterized by panel discussions, interviews, lectures and keynote speeches, addressed issues such as the effects of the funding freeze and its consequences for building services, the bottleneck in assembly capacities, young talent, the new training regulations and the future skills of installers, but also topics such as digitalization, artificial intelligence in the trades, the innovations in the F-Gas Regulation and drinking water installation, hydrogen and innovative system solutions for the trades based on concrete product presentations.

Construction of Exhibition Hall 22 – The new hall for the construction trade fair

At the WEBUILD Energy Saving Fair 2026, the construction sector will find a new home in Exhibition Hall 22, which will be built in nine months and completed in January 2026. With a total investment of 34 million euros, the new construction of Exhibition Hall 22 is a major project that will accompany Messe Wels in 2025. At the WEBUILD Energy Saving Fair Wels 2026 (February 25 – March 1), the construction sector will find a new, internationally renowned exhibition space here. With a built-up area of approximately 11,500 m², Hall 22 offers 9,200 m² of exhibition space with a ceiling height of 10 meters. A bright foyer and a terminal connecting Halls 21 and 20 form the overall concept for the three major exhibition areas of Construction, Bathroom and Sanitation, and Heating and Energy at the WEBUILD Energy Saving Fair 2026.
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The tender for the new exhibition hall was issued across the EU. F2 Architekten ZT GmbH from Schwanenstadt emerged as the winner of the architectural competition. Planning work and the tendering process for the various trades are almost complete. "With the construction of Exhibition Hall 22, the future of the Wels Trade Fair Center is secured for the long term. The new hall, along with the construction of the new Volksgarten park, represents one of the largest investments by the City of Wels, creating a completely redesigned area," said Dr. Andreas Rabl, Mayor of the City of Wels.

Information about the WEBUILD Energy Saving Fair Wels 2026 can be found at https://energiesparmesse.at.