Privacy Policy

Data Protection Regulations of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH
As from 12.04.2017

The present data protection regulations make equal reference to both men and women. For the purpose of simplification, only the male form is used.

1. General Information on Data Protection

The Internet portal of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH is primarily a marketplace for the processing of business transactions. Although a great deal of information is also available to anonymous visitors, there is sometimes a need for us to obtain data from you which can be company or even person-related in order to provide you with the desired services. Our systems protect your data in accordance with internationally applicable data protection standards, the data protection directive of the European Union and national data protection regulations. Our goal is to make it possible for you to be certain of responsible and confidential treatment of your data. Encoding procedures are used for the secure transmission of payment data. This means that communication between your browser and our system cannot be read by other participants in the Internet. Personal data is used exclusively for the purposes explicitly stated in these data protection regulations or during later data collection. Our websites may contain links to websites of other providers. As we are not responsible for their information, we recommend that you study the information provided on such sites concerning data protection carefully. Each time content is requested from our Internet site, data (e.g. name of the file requested, date/time, data volume transferred) on this process is stored in a protocol file. In this way, we monitor user conduct throughout the entire website. Nevertheless, the bringing together of this information with data on individual users is only carried out with prior, written consent. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH classifies the entire use statistics on the basis of the user?s domain name, the browser type and the MIME type by reading out this information from the browser string (the information contained in the browser of every user). We monitor and list the search terms entered in the search engine by users; nevertheless, this tracing is never carried out in connection with individual users. We also use so-called session cookies. These enable optimisation of communication times for incoming web inquiries. As a fundamental rule, our website can also be used without cookies, however this can result in restrictions with individual applications. Cookies are not used for the preparation of person-related use profiles. We moreover employ cookies with a runtime of 180 days, in order to collect and use anonymous usage data for purposes of launching advertising adds on the basis of online behavioral targeting. No personal data, particularly no IP-address, is gathered in the scope of this procedure. The cookies are either provided by our service-partner, the Aumago GmbH, or by a service provider, the Aumago GmbH relies upon in fulfillment of its contractual obligations toward the Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. The krux digital Inc. is one of these service providers. You are free to delete the cookies anytime either directly within your browser settings (see below) or you may disable them anytime by visiting http://www.krux.com/privacy/consumer-choice/  (right of objection). Should you have any further questions or comments concerning our data protection concept or wish to have your personal data barred for any particular form of use, kindly contact us by e-mail at the following address: privacy@messe-duesseldorf.de

Can the Cookies be blocked?

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. If you would prefer not to accept cookies, most browsers will allow you to: (i) change your browser settings to notify you when you receive a cookie, which lets you choose whether or not to accept it; (ii) to disable existing cookies; or (iii) to set your browser to automatically reject any cookies. However, please be aware that if you disable or reject cookies, some features and services on our Sites may not work properly because we may not be able to recognize and associate you with your Messe Duesseldorf account(s). In addition, the offers we provide when you visit us may not be as relevant to you or tailored to your interests.

Instructions for blocking or allowing Cookies in Popular Web Browsing Software:
Internet Explorer
Firefox
Google Chrome
Apple Safari
AboutCookies.org

2. Data protection with special applications

2.1 Online orders

When you use our online ordering system, we receive from you the data required for processing of the order and performance of the services agreed. Data fields through which the data required for processing of the business transaction is collected, are always marked separately (with an asterisk). If you provide additional, voluntary data, for example on particular specialist interests, we can send you targeted specialist information even before an event. This means that, by entering this data, you yourself decide which data we receive from you on you and your company. In addition, we offer you the possibility of correcting or altering the data collected during registration. These changes can be made simply by calling up your user profile, clicking on the ?Edit? link and carrying out the alterations to your own data which are then displayed in the form. Users can alter this information at any time and as frequently as necessary.

2.2 Surveys

 We make it possible to participate in interactive surveys so that users can exchange their opinions with other users easily and discover the thoughts of our users on important subjects. Surveys are also used to enable even more precise adaptation of the content and services to our customer base. In this respect, we use a system which ?marks? users following the casting of their vote, thus preventing them from voting more than once on a specific question. There is no correlation between this marking and information on individual users. Exercising our own discretion, we forward the demographic information collected during these surveys to the other users of the portal, but never your person-related data.

2.3 Message Boards / Forums

Message boards and forums enable lively, non-chaired conversations on a variety of topics. We require users to register on a personal and company basis in order to prevent misuse of this platform.

2.4 Electronic Newsletters

We enable the ordering of electronic newsletters on various subject areas. For this, we record the e-mail addresses of those users who voluntarily register as subscribers. The users can delete themselves from the circulation list by following the instructions including in every dispatch.

2.5 Prize competitions, loyalty programmes

If we organise loyalty programmes or prize competitions, all rules and information on the respective procedure and the use of person-related data are stated clearly during the full period of the programme. The information collected is also used for verification of the user identity and to inform the winners. Here too, the policy of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH is not to forward information on specific persons to third parties.

2.6 Google Applications

2.6.1 Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer to help the website analyse how visitors use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States . Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

You can prevent Google’s collection and use of data (cookies and IP address) by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available under https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en.

2.6.2 Google Re-Marketing

This website uses Google Re-Marketing. Google Re-Marketing is an advertising service delivered by Google Inc. (Google, Mountain View, USA), which enables us to provide you with targeted advertising to meet your supposed interests, based on your usage patterns on previous visits. Such advertising is only presented in Google advertising space – either Google AdWords or the Google Display Network. Users are identified via a cookie in the web browser. The collection, storage and editing of collected data is based on the Google Analytics details and users’ IP addresses. Google Re-Marketing does not involve any combination of IP addresses or personal details with any further Google data, especially usage data. Each Re-Marketing cookie continues to be used for 18 months. You may veto Google Re-Marketing or edit your settings on the Google Ads Settings page (https://www.google.com/settings/u/0/ads?hl=en). Alternatively, you can prevent Re-Marketing by disabling cookies in your browser settings. This website uses Google Analytics reports to identify demographic features based on interest-related Google advertising as well as on third-party details of site visitors (e.g. age, gender and interests).

2.6.3 Google-DoubleClick

We use cookies from DoubleClick in order to quantify the effectivity of our advertising campaigns, to limit the frequency with which you are shown a specific advertisement and to only display advertising that is interesting and relevant to you. If an advertisement is to be displayed on a browser, DoubleClick can check using the browser’s cookie ID to see which DoubleClick advertisements have already been displayed on this specific browser. With the help of cookie IDs, DoubleClick can also identify conversions that bear reference to advertisement enquiries. This is the case when a user sees a DoubleClick advertisement and then, at a later time and with the same browser, goes to the advertiser’s website and purchases something on it. DoubleClick cookies do not contain any personal data. You will find further information at  https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/2839090?hl=de. The cookies from google DoubleClick and google Remarting can be deactivated at any time using the advertising setting https://www.google.de/settings/u/0/ads?hl=de.

2.7 Social Media Plug-ins

2.7.1 Facebook

If you are a member of the social network Facebook, Facebook will be able to track your internet activities automatically. Messe Düsseldorf has no influence on this. For more information, please refer to the privacy policies of Facebook. Our Internet presence uses social plug-ins (“plug-ins”) of the social network facebook.com, operated by Facebook Inc., 1601 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA (“Facebook”). The plug-ins are labelled with the Facebook logo or the addition “Facebook social plug-in”. If you access a Messe Düsseldorf GmbH website that includes such plug-ins, your browser connects directly to the Facebook servers by clicking on the button. The content of the plug-in is transmitted to your browser by Facebook, which also embeds information in the website. Through embedding the plug-in, Facebook receives the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into Facebook, Facebook can assign your visit to your Facebook account. If you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. click the “like” button or add a comment, your browser transmits the corresponding information directly to Facebook, where it is stored. Please refer to the data protection information issued by Facebook to learn about the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Facebook. You will also find information about your rights and your settings options to protect your privacy. If you do not wish Facebook to collect data about your visit to our website when using this plugin,, please log out of your Facebook account before accessing our site. Wherever possible, our website uses a system called Two Clicks for More Data Protection, developed by heise.de.

2.7.2 Twitter

Our Internet presence uses social plug-ins (“plug-ins”) of the social network twitter.com, operated by Twitter Inc., 1355 Market St, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA (“Twitter”). The plug-ins are labelled with a Twitter logo. If you access a Messe Düsseldorf GmbH website that includes such plug-ins, your browser connects directly to the Twitter servers when clicking on the button. The content of the plug-in is transmitted to your browser by Twitter, which also embeds information in the website. Through embedding the plug-in, Twitter receives the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into Twitter, Twitter can assign your visit to your Twitter account. If you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. forward a tweet or add your own comment, your browser transmits the corresponding information directly to Twitter, where it is stored. Please refer to the data protection information issued by Twitter to learn about the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Twitter. You will also find information about your rights and your settings options to protect your privacy. If you do not wish Twitter to collect data about your visit to our website when using this plugin,, please log out of your Twitter account before accessing our site.

2.7.3 XING

Our Internet presence uses social plug-ins (“plug-ins”) of the social network xing.com (XING), operated by XING AG, Gänsemarkt 43, 20354 Hamburg , Germany. The plug-ins are labeled with a XING logo. If you access a Messe Düsseldorf GmbH website that includes such plug-ins, your browser connects directly to the XING servers when clicking on the button. The content of the plug-in is transmitted to your browser by XING, which also embeds information in the website. Through embedding the plug-in, XING receives the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into XING, XING can assign your visit to your XING account. If you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. click the “like” button or add a comment, your browser transmits the corresponding information directly to XING, where it is stored. Please refer to the data protection information issued by XING to learn about the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by XING. You will also find information about your rights and your options to protect your privacy. If you do not wish XING to collect data about your visit to our website when using this plugin, please log out of your XING account before accessing our site.

2.7.4 Google+

Our Internet presence uses social plug-ins (“plug-ins”) of the social network operated by plus.google.com (Google+), Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California 94043, USA. The plug-ins are labeled with the Google+ logo or the addition ” Google+ social plug-in”. If you access a Messe Düsseldorf GmbH website that includes such plug-ins, your browser connects directly to the Google servers. The content of the plug-in is transmitted to your browser by Google, which also embeds information in the website. Through embedding the plug-in, Google receives the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into Google+, Google can assign your visit to your Google+ account. If you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. add a comment, your browser transmits the corresponding information directly to Google, where it is stored. Please refer to the data protection information issued by Google to learn about the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Google. You will also find information about your rights and your options to protect your privacy. If you do not wish Google to collect data about your visit to our website when using this plugin, please log out of your Google account before accessing our site.

2.7.5 LinkedIn

Our Internet presence uses social plug-ins (“plug-ins”) of the social network operated by linkedin.com (LinkedIn), LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. The plug-ins are labeled with the LinkedIn logo or the addition ” LinkedIn social plug-in”. If you access a Messe Düsseldorf GmbH website that includes such plug-ins, your browser connects directly to the LinkedIn servers when clicking on the link. The content of the plug-in is transmitted to your browser by LinkedIn, which also embeds information in the website. Through embedding the plug-in, LinkedIn receives the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into LinkedIn, LinkedIn can assign your visit to your LinkedIn account. If you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. add a comment, your browser transmits the corresponding information directly to LinkedIn, where it is stored. Please refer to the data protection information issued by LinkedIn to learn about the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by LinkedIn. You will also find information about your rights and your options to protect your privacy. If you do not wish LinkedIn to collect data about your visit to our website when using this plugin, please log out of your LinkedIn account before accessing our site.

2.7.6 YouTube

Various websites at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH contain embedded videos on YouTube.com (YouTube). YouTube is a service offered by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California 94043, USA. If you access a Messe Düsseldorf GmbH website that includes such plug-ins, your browser connects directly to the Google servers when clicking on the link. The content of the plug-in is transmitted to your browser by Google, which also embeds information in the website. Through embedding the plug-in, Google receives the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into YouTube, Google can assign your visit to your YouTube account. If you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. add a comment, your browser transmits the corresponding information directly to Google, where it is stored. Please refer to the privacy policy information at Google for details about the purpose and scope of data collection and use by Google as well as your rights and privacy options as a YouTube customer. If you do not wish Google to collect data about your visit to our website when using this plugin, please log out of your YouTube account before accessing our site.

2.8  Other Visitor Services

2.8.1 Messe Düsseldorf Social Sign-in

Social Sign-in and/or Social Login is an application, which is used for the registration process in a protected area. Upon registration with a social media profile, the information available about the user is automatically saved in the user administration of the website of Messe Düsseldorf. A new user profile is created. At the time of logging in with the social network ID, the API requests the personal data from the network and transfers this to the database of Messe Düsseldorf. Through the connection to the social network, Messe Düsseldorf automatically receives the data necessary for a registration process in the relevant system.

Exclude from website tracking

In order to statistically evaluate visitor access, technologies from Lead Inspector GmbH are used to record, process and store data for marketing purpose and to track website visitors. Based on these data, the technology from Lead Inspector GmbH determines an address, but only in cases in which it can be ensured that the visitor is a company and not an individual person. So-called cookies may be used in this respect. Cookies are small text files which are stored on your computer and are utilised to analyse your use of the website. The company data recorded by Lead Inspector GmbH may also contain personal data. Lead Inspector GmbH may use information left behind during visits to the website to create anonymised utilisation profiles. If IP addresses are recorded, they are made anonymous immediately after recording by deleting the last number block. Data recording and storage by Lead Inspector GmbH for this website may be revoked at any time with effect for the future.

2.8.1Beacon Service / Bitplaces

How it Works: In collaboration with Bitplaces GmbH, Bismarckstr. 10-12, 10625 Berlin at each individual event Messe Düsseldorf GmbH makes it possible for any trade visitor actively signing up the service to define the focal area of their visit using the event’s official App thereby allowing them to receive interactive information about their trade fair visit sent to their smart mobile device. Here, trade visitors can call up information on exhibitors and set up an interests profile. To do this visitors mark the relevant product categories that interest them. If these categories overlap with the products and services of an exhibitor in their vicinity visitors activating the Bluetooth function on their mobile device will be alerted to these exhibitors by a signal from “beacons” or electronic transponders placed at the stands of participating exhibitors known as “Bitplaces”. Visitors are then alerted by a message sent to their mobile device (push notification). In particular, this message will contain further information on the exhibitor in question inviting the visitor to visit that stand. Following each event Bitplaces GmbH makes available to each participating exhibitor and Messe Düsseldorf GmbH an analytical evaluation of the visitor data captured. As a result, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH also receives information on how many visitors have entered a Bitplace, how many of these were first-time visitors and how many returning ones, how much time they spent there and how high the footfall was. Furthermore, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH receives an evaluation of sent and actually read messages (push notifications). No movement data outside of Bitplaces is stored. Within a Bitplace the exact position of a user is not known just the fact that the user spent time at that Bitplace. This ensures the individual user’s privacy is protected and allows pseudonomised behavioural analysis.

2.9  Website Tracking

For marketing and optimisation purposes this website uses products and services provided by WiredMinds GmbH (www.wiredminds.de). This involves collecting, processing and storing data which adds up to a usage profile, saved under a pseudonym. Wherever this is possible and reasonable, usage profiles are kept completely anonymous. Cookies may be used for this purpose. Cookies are small text files which are saved to the visitor’s internet browser and are subsequently used for the identification of the internet browser. The data material that is collected may also include personal details which are either sent to WiredMinds or collected by WiredMinds directly. WiredMinds may use details which are placed by visitors on the website for the purpose of creating anonymous usage profiles. Any data material collected in this way is not used for the personal identification of site visitors without their special consent; neither is such data combined with the personal details associated with the pseudonym. Any IP addresses are anonymised immediately upon collection by deleting the last group of digits. Data collection, processing and storage may be stopped by you at any time and will not be applied again from that point onward.

Exclude from website tracking

3. Public Process Directory

3.1. Name of the responsible body:

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

3.2. Management

Werner Matthias Dornscheidt (CEO)
Joachim Schäfer
Bernhard Johannes Stempfle
Hans Werner Reinhard

3.3. Address of the responsible body:

Messeplatz, Stockumer Kirchstrasse 61, D-40474 Düsseldorf

3.4. Purpose of the collection, processing or use of data

The purpose of the Messe Düsseldorf GmbH company is the promotion of economic activity through the organisation of trade fairs and exhibitions at home and abroad, through the organisation or implementation of congresses and conferences, and through all activities related to the trade fair, exhibition, congress and conference business. For the fulfilment of this purpose, we maintain trade fair and exhibition centres as well as congress and conference facilities which we use for events or rent out in return for appropriate payment. Data is captured, processed and used for the explicit purposes of the company, specifically for handling the relevant business processes and for assuring and improving the quality of our trade fair events. This data includes information on our customers insofar as these are trade visitors or members of trade fair clubs. This data capture occurs before and after events as well as during follow-up events of Messe Düsseldorf. Members of trade fair clubs will also receive promotional information on offers corresponding to their stated interests from Messe Düsseldorf. Your personal data will not be passed on to any third parties for advertising purposes. When you present your visitor’s badge the data stored on this badge can be read and therefore also saved and used by third parties. In such cases the data protection terms of the third party shall apply.

3.5. Description of the groups of persons concerned and of the corresponding data or categories

For the fulfilment of the purposes stated under 3.4, the following person-related data is collected, processed and used for each group of persons:

Video surveillance is used in the exhibition centre for the purpose of managing traffic/visitor flows and for security purposes. No evaluation is carried out for other purposes. Personnel data on employees, applicants and service companies is used within the framework of internal communication, servicing, administration and for settlement purposes.

3.6 Recipients or categories of recipient to whom the data can be forwarded

• Public bodies given the existence of overriding legal regulations (category A-F)
• Companies within the Messe Düsseldorf Group (category A, B, C, F)
• Companies/Entrepreneurs who acquire an exhibition event from Messe Düsseldorf and implementation partners of Messe Düsseldorf (category A-D, F)
• Foreign representations if the registered company office of the person visiting the exhibition is abroad (category B, C, F)
• Order-data processors of Messe Düsseldorf (category A-D, F)
• Service providers for exhibition-accompanying services if the person inquires about corresponding services to Messe Düsseldorf (category A-D, F)
• Companies/Entrepreneurs who have issued vouchers for visitors will receive the visitor data (name, address, communication data) for the vouchers redeemed, provided this has been agreed by contract (category B, C, F)
• In addition, we offer exhibitors the option of accessing data on trade visitors and Club Members electronically. This service is subject to the visitor allowing the exhibitor to scan the barcode on their admission ticket. This means visitors themselves decide whether exhibitors have access to their electronic “visiting card”. Data transfer does not occur if the visitor objects to having their data passed on to the exhibitor (Category B, F).

In all cases, the forwarding of data is for fulfilment of the purposes stated under 3.4.

3.7 Normal periods for the barring/deletion of data

The law contains a wide range of regulations concerning keeping requirements and deadlines. Upon expiry of these deadlines, the corresponding data is deleted as a routine procedure. Excepted from this is data required for the processing of the respective business transaction with Messe Düsseldorf and in particular for informing customers before and after the event as well as concerning future events. The data on customers who no longer wish to receive corresponding information is barred. To enable consideration of a corresponding declaration by the customer at all times, the data of the objector must be kept permanently in a barring list and, as a rule, cannot be deleted (see § 35 (3) no. 2 BDSG (German Data Protection Act).

3.8 Transmission of data abroad

To enable optimum servicing of our customers and business partners on a worldwide basis, we forward your data to companies within the Messe Düsseldorf Group. The fulfilment of contractual purposes or the performance of pre-contractual measures with potential exhibitors/exhibitors as well as with potential visitors or visiting companies from third countries fundamentally necessitates the forwarding of data to the international representation office of the corresponding third country. To this end, the corresponding data as set out under 3.5 is forwarded to the responsible international representation office In the case of representatives of companies from third countries who visit a trade exhibition, the name of the visitor can also be forwarded to the responsible international representation office, provided no objection has been received concerning the forwarding. The registration data of a company whose representative visits an exhibitor at his stand will be forwarded to the exhibitor visited – if the visitor does not object to the scanning of his data on the barcode of his entrance ticket – irrespective of whether the exhibitor is from Germany, the EU or another third country. In all cases in which we ourselves arrange the transmission of person-related data to third countries which do not have a sufficient level of data protection regulations, the data is only forwarded if the recipient gives a contractual undertaking to adhere to equal standards of data protection and data security as we ourselves.

4. Right of objection

Naturally, every one of our customers is at liberty to indicate purposes for which his person-related data should not be used. Should you no longer wish your data to be used for a specific purpose, you can object to farther reaching use of your data here.