INTERALPIN celebrates its 50th anniversary

The leading international trade fair for alpine technologies has reason to celebrate: 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of INTERALPIN. What began on a small scale in 1974 has developed into the major meeting place for the ropeway industry over the past five decades. The 25th edition of the trade fair, which is organised every two years, will take place in 2025. From the 6th to the 9th of May 2025, Messe Innsbruck will once again be the hotspot for the international ropeway and alpine technology industry and will welcome trade visitors from over 130 nations. The celebrations will get underway this year – INTERALPIN will be represented at the renowned International Organization for Transportation by Rope (OITAF) International Ropeway Congress in Vancouver from the 17th to the 21st of June.

Innsbruck, 11/03/2024. In the right place at the right time: that's a brief description of how INTERALPIN came about. The trade fair in the alpine city of Innsbruck developed along with the expansion of alpine technologies, as well as the increasing number of tourists visiting Tirol in winter, to become the world's most sought-after meeting place for the industry with an unparalleled global appeal. Christian Mayerhofer, Managing Director of Congress Messe Innsbruck (CMI), takes a look at the history and significance of INTERALPIN: “Congress Messe Innsbruck is delighted to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of INTERALPIN. The long history of the world's leading platform for alpine technologies is impressive and is based on the industry’s innovative strength as well as the commitment and expertise of all partners, exhibitors and trade visitors. I would like to thank all those who have helped INTERALPIN to grow into what it is today and who will continue to shape it in the future. I look forward to celebrating this anniversary in style at the 25th edition in 2025.”

INTERALPIN: a success story

A look at the early years shows just how rapidly INTERALPIN’s popularity grew. Within just a few years, what was initially just a small exhibition became the place for the whole industry to meet, attracting attendees from all over the world. In 1974, a small presentation of products from the ropeway industry took place at the Kurhaus in Igls, which now falls under the CMI in the form of the congresspark igls, as part of the then “International Ski Congress”. One year later, then taking place at the Innsbruck Congress Centre, the exhibition was given the name INTERALPIN. In 1977, it was held for the first time as an independent event under the tagline "Trade Exhibition for Winter Service Equipment" with 72 exhibitors and an audience hailing from over 20 nations. In 1978, the number of exhibitors rose again to 84 companies, and in 1980 to 120. “From this point onwards, INTERALPIN’s success story was unstoppable. When Congress Innsbruck was bursting at the seams at the beginning of the new millennium, INTERALPIN moved to Messe Innsbruck in 2002, where it is still held today and is continuously being expanded,” says Stefan Kleinlercher, Project Manager of the trade fair. In 2023, INTERALPIN welcomed over 35,000 trade visitors from approx. 130 nations with around 650 exhibitors from over 50 countries.

The anniversary is an opportunity to look ahead

From the 6th to the 9th of May 2025, INTERALPIN will once again provide a platform for the latest innovations and hot topics in the industry. On the opening day, the Austrian Ropeway Conference presented by the Austrian Ropeway Association will take place, and will also include the opening ceremony. The first day will conclude with the festive INTERALPIN Snow Crystal Gala. The INTERALPIN Inspiration Days on days 2 and 3 will highlight and discuss current topics in the industry with high-calibre keynote speakers and expert presentations. The General Assembly and seminar by the International Organization for Transportation by Rope (OITAF) is also a popular fixture. An INTERALPIN delegation will also be represented at this year's International Organization for Transportation by Rope (OITAF) International Ropeway Congress from the 17th to the 21st of June in Vancouver.

“The alpine technology and ropeway industry is very dynamic and characterised by constant change and a strong focus on the future. The 50th anniversary of INTERALPIN provides an opportunity not only to look back, but above all, to look forward to future developments. At the 25th INTERALPIN 2025, the topics that are transforming the industry now and will continue to do so in the future will be brought to the table. More than ever, it is important to explore what responsibility the industry has in times of multidimensional social and climate changes and how it can utilise these as opportunities. Numerous specialists will contribute their expertise to the range of products and information on offer at INTERALPIN 2025,” says Project Manager Stefan Kleinlercher, giving us a taste of what we can expect from the event.