In 2026, h+h americas united 6,073 industry professionals from all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico and 41 countries in a sprawling, four-day event featuring 636 craft companies spread across more than 100,000 square feet of show floor space.
Gerald Böse, President & CEO, Koelnmesse GmbH, shared, “h+h americas continues to set the global benchmark for the creative industry. The record attendance and breadth of exhibitors in 2026 reflect not only the strength of the North American market but also the industry’s desire to come together, innovate, and grow. We are proud to see this show grow into one of the world’s most important trade platforms for the industry.”
h+h americas once felt like “the little trade show that could.” At just four years old, the show is still an adolescent in the craft trade show scene. h+h americas stands on the shoulders of one of the greatest and most influential craft trade shows in the world—h+h cologne. Our prestigious big sister show set the stage for h+h americas and lent us the cachet we needed to help unite craft industry professionals and businesses in North America.
If you’ve never attended h+h cologne before, it’s long past time to consider it. h+h cologne 2027 takes place April 2-4, 2027, in Cologne, Germany. Let’s talk about h+h cologne and give it its well-deserved flowers!
What is h+h cologne?
h+h cologne is an international trade fair for creative handicraft and hobby supplies. The “h+h” that prefaces our show titles comes from “Handarbeit and Hobby,” or “handicraft and hobby.”
h+h cologne launched in 1979 to gather international craft retailers and businesses in an industry event designed for networking, innovation, and growth. h+h cologne takes place across three days every spring in Cologne, Germany and includes fashion shows, specialty craft zones, educational opportunities, and community events. The 2026 show included nearly 300 exhibitors from 40 countries and around 11,500 trade visitors from 72 countries.
h+h cologne 2027 will commence April 2-4, 2027, in Cologne, Germany.
Who attends h+h cologne?
h+h cologne, like h+h americas, is a trade show where anyone who makes a living in handicrafts may attend. This includes retailers, manufacturers, designers, entrepreneurs, creatives, influencers, and large craft brands.
What is it like to attend h+h cologne?
If you’ve attended h+h americas, you’re probably familiar with scanning long aisles of pipe-and-drape booths, with products on display in various fashions, showcased in shelving, bins, or on tables.
h+h cologne follows a more European standard for trade shows. There are solid, hard walls separating booths, which are often elaborately dressed for the highest presentation level. Booths feel conducive to deep networking—some businesses offer snacks, refreshments and comfortable seating. The aim is to mix business and pleasure—to stop and stay for a while is the main objective!
Why should I attend h+h cologne?
If you’re a European craft business, h+h cologne provides instant access to other brands and businesses from around the globe. The European craft market is composed of many small, independent brands and fewer big box retailers when compared to the American market; h+h cologne provides a platform for spotlighting smaller businesses and a bridge for connecting them to one another.
For American craft businesses, attending h+h cologne provides entrée to hundreds of smaller, independent brands—it’s a fantastic place to discover and source unique, European brands and products for the American market. A common complaint among American craft retailers is the oversaturation of certain products on the American craft market. Attending h+h cologne offers a notable opportunity for new product discovery to expand your offerings and stand out from the crowd.
Exhibiting at h+h cologne places your products in the spotlight, in front of creatives, makers, and retailers looking for their next standout discovery. Exhibiting at h+h cologne provides a showcase for your unique brand and products and generates fresh interest and new business connections.
h+h cologne also offers similar networking opportunities to h+h americas with influencer meetups, fashion shows, after-hours parties, and more. Attendees and exhibitors engage in trend forecasting, product demonstrations, new product reveals, and collaborative marketing.
Is h+h cologne right for my business?
h+h cologne has several different options for interested exhibitors.
If you’re exhibiting for the first time… check out the “Easy Entry Package” option. Designed for first-time exhibitors, the Easy Entry Package offers special rates with inclusive features like a 5 m² booth, a cabin with lockable door, spotlights, power outlets, graphics, exhibitor passes, and more.
If you want a carefree, ready-made booth… check out the “Complete Stands” option. Designed for exhibitors who want to hit the ground running, Complete Stands include stand construction and dismantling, space rental, energy costs, graphics, passes, and more inclusive features so you’re ready to exhibit.
If you want a more customized option… check out the “Individual Stands” option. This is for exhibitors eager to design their own booth experience. Koelnmesse will help you customize and bring your booth design to life. The Ritter Sport booth below is an example of this booth style—see more here.
Explore all exhibitor packages for h+h cologne!
How much does it cost to exhibit at h+h cologne?
We encourage first-time exhibitors to take advantage of the Easy Entry Package for h+h
cologne, which amounts to €2,750 (about $3,200) for a turnkey 5 m² stand. The package includes the space, energy and AUMA fees, a built and branded booth, lighting, power, carpet, cleaning, and three exhibitor passes. First-time exhibitors, companies that haven't exhibited in three or more years, and start-ups under five years old all qualify for the Easy Entry Package
However, you can also use the Stand Cost Calculator if you have particular rentals, features, and location requirements in mind.
What's new at h+h cologne?
h+h cologne 2027 will include the new Quilt Pavilion, a special arena for spotlighting quilting companies and products. The Quilt Pavilion will feature exhibitor booths for quilt companies to showcase their products in front of an international audience. Interested exhibitors can inquire with our team for more information about Quilt Pavilion.