VERTICAL PRO will open its doors for the fifth time this fall, from November 21 to 22 in Messe Friedrichshafen, Germany. The international trade show is again being organized as a joint platform for climbing and bouldering gyms, rope access technology, high ropes courses, rescue and aid organizations, tree care, and fall protection.
It is widely regarded as an ideal meeting place for all vertical professionals to exchange information on current products, trends and topics across industries and borders. Over 2,700 visitors and more than 200 exhibitors attended the show last year, and dozens of top suppliers from around the climbing industry are on the preliminary index of exhibitors for this year.
There’s still time to register as an exhibitor or purchase tickets for the event. Not sure what to expect? Here’s a quick summary of what’s in store for this year’s show.
A Place for Climbing Professionals Everywhere
VERTICAL PRO 2025 will take place from 9am to 6pm local time on Friday, November 21— followed by a get-together in the halls and additional evening program—and 9am to 5pm on Saturday, November 22.
For the first time this year, VERTICAL PRO will occupy the halls on the A-axis, providing centralized exposure for exhibitors and easy access for attendees.
In halls A7 and A5, the sports sector will be represented with Halls & Walls of the German Alpine Club (DAV), the climbing-focused side of the trade show that has been taking place since 2011 and expanded to VERTICAL PRO in 2021. Here, businesses and professionals from around the indoor climbing community will come together to share what they’ve been working on, learn from one another, and make new connections.
“This year once again VERTICAL PRO was the ideal meeting place to talk to contact persons from climbing gyms and bouldering halls,” said Jennifer Lönz of the DAV after last year’s event. “The atmosphere at the trade fair was great and characterized by professional discussions at the booths. After extending ‘Halls & Walls’ to two exhibition halls, the offer for climbing gym and bouldering hall operators has become even more diverse.”
Between the sports halls, hall A6 will host the professional sector—an interdisciplinary space that will have exhibitions from all vertical industries represented at the event.
Get in on the Action From the Ground Floor
Attending VERTICAL PRO is an immersive experience that’s also about touching, testing, checking and comparing the latest products from leading brands.
In the interactive DEMO + TEST AREAS, exhibitors can present their latest creations and innovations directly and free of charge to a professional audience.
This year, a new DEMO + TEST AREA will be introduced which, in addition to the classic high ropes course with a work platform, will have presentations of various scenarios for high-angle and confined-space rescues as well as new technology solutions.
Additionally, there will be trussing systems, turntable ladders, climbing trees, containers, roped climbing routes and bouldering problems available for both visitors and exhibitors to try.
Learn From Leaders in Climbing
The VERTICAL PRO trade show also offers a varied and comprehensive supporting program. There are numerous expert lectures on the schedule this year that will provide valuable knowledge on current topics and present industry-relevant findings.
Some of the presentations and discussions on the program for 2025 dive into management positions in climbing gyms; communication tips for routesetters and grading in routesetting; auto belay safety statistics and recommendations; the influence of climbing on self-confidence, participation and inclusion; and how the climbing industry can help to reduce social inequalities.
The networking event “Women at Height”, organized by and for female height workers, will take place for the second time this year within the framework of VERTICAL PRO, and this time there will be an expanded format. Women working in routesetting, rope access technology, tree care, and other vertical professions will give insights into their everyday experiences and craft.
The supporting program will also be enriched by its two partners, the German Alpine Club (DAV) and the Professional Association for Rope Access Techniques (FISAT).
Interested in learning more about attending or exhibiting at the event? Visit www.vertical-pro.com for more information and to reserve your booth or book your tickets.
This story was paid for by the sponsor and does not necessarily represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.
