Igor Palka appointed new CEO of Congress Messe Innsbruck

An industry expert with international experience will take over as CEO on 1 March 2027 and is set to bring fresh impetus to Innsbruck as a venue for trade fairs, congresses and events.

Innsbruck, 27 October 2026. Congress Messe Innsbruck (CMI) is setting the course for the future with Igor Palka. The experienced trade fair, congress and events expert will take over as CEO on 1 March 2027. With his international experience and proven industry expertise, Palka is set to drive the company’s successful development forward and provide fresh impetus for the trade fair, congress and events sector.

Igor Palka, born in Munich in 1983, has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has worked both nationally and internationally. Among other things, he has been responsible for several industrial trade fairs, as well as an international subsidiary of Messe München, gaining extensive experience in international markets, particularly in Asia. Palka currently serves as Senior Vice President for technology trade fairs, new business development and internationalisation within the management team at Messe Berlin. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic development of new business areas and the company’s international orientation.

With his move to Innsbruck, Palka brings with him comprehensive industry knowledge, an international perspective and many years of leadership experience. “I am very much looking forward to this new role and to shaping the future of Congress Messe Innsbruck together with the team. As an internationally established venue, Innsbruck offers great potential, which we intend to develop further together,” explains Igor Palka, who thanks the shareholders for the trust they have placed in him.

The management team at Congress Messe Innsbruck has been reorganised following a proper and professionally managed selection process, after Christian Mayerhofer stepped down for personal reasons following thirteen years at the helm of the company. The position was advertised publicly, resulting in over 160 applications from Austria and abroad. Igor Palka ultimately emerged as the successful candidate from this diverse pool of applicants.

“The Supervisory Board is convinced that, with Igor Palka at the helm, the strategic course has been set for a successful future for Congress Messe Innsbruck,” explains Andreas Perger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, who led the appointment process. “We thank Christian Mayerhofer for his many years of successful work and look to the future with great confidence under Igor Palka’s leadership. He has exactly the profile that Congress Messe Innsbruck needs as a reliable and modern partner in the trade fair, congress and events industry.”

The shareholders of Congress Messe Innsbruck are delighted with the decision, emphasises Innsbruck’s Mayor Johannes Anzengruber: “In Igor Palka, we have secured a proven industry expert to lead Congress Messe Innsbruck. His international experience and his eye for new business areas provide a solid foundation for the further development of CMI, Innsbruck as a business hub and as an events destination.”

Tyrol’s Regional Minister for Economic Affairs, Mario Gerber, adds: “In Igor Palka, Congress Messe Innsbruck is gaining an experienced manager with an international network. I am convinced that he will bring fresh impetus and thereby further strengthen Tyrol as a business location.”

“Trade fairs, congresses and events are vital networks and platforms for innovation and investment for the Tyrolean economy. Following Christian Mayerhofer, we have found an ideal successor in Igor Palka, who will also further expand Congress Messe Innsbruck’s position in both national and international competition,” says Barbara Thaler, President of the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce, who is also delighted with the new appointment.

Peter Paul Mölk, Chairman of Innsbruck Tourism and its holiday villages, summarises: “Congress Messe Innsbruck is a key component of our region’s tourism, economic and scientific offerings. Palka’s international experience is a great asset to Innsbruck. We look forward to working together for the benefit of our region.”

Until Igor Palka takes up his post on 1 March 2027, Congress Messe Innsbruck will continue to be managed on an interim basis by Astrid Kirchbichler, Head of Finance & Human Resources, and Hansjörg Stern, Head of Facility Management Messe Innsbruck.