From November 13th to 14th, the international vertical technology community will meet in Friedrichshafen. This year's Vertical Pro will once again offer a wide range of activities – with numerous opportunities for knowledge exchange and around 200 exhibitors from the fields of rope access technology, working at heights and rescue, climbing and bouldering gyms, as well as high ropes courses and forest ropes courses.
In this article
Vertical Pro, a trade fair, connects all professionals working at heights – from both the sports and professional sectors. Visitors to the sixth edition can look forward to many exciting offerings. interaktive Highlights und spannende Neuheiten in drei Messehallen freuen: Rund 200 Unternehmen aus 30 Ländern sind vor Ort. Wir geben euch schon vor Messestart am Freitag einen digitalen Rundgang und stellen Aussteller-Lineup, Rahmenprogramm und Demo-Events vor.
Images: Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH
More practical experience, structure, and interfaces
Halls A5 and A7 combine with the Halls & Walls of the German Alpine Club (DAV) as usual, topics related to climbing and bouldering gyms. This year, Hall A6 will also feature exhibiting companies from the sports sector – together with providers of professional work at height. New to the supporting program is the Expert forum with dialogue-oriented short presentations from participating exhibitors.
The focus of Vertical Pro 2026 is clear: not only to create a clear structure of the different subject areas, but also to make visible the interfaces that already exist in everyday work.
Since the last event, we have engaged in intensive discussions with our partners and exhibiting companies and are now strategically implementing their feedback. The result: more practical application, more exchange, and stronger connections between sport and professional development.
Sharon Bareth, Project Manager Vertical Pro
The strong practical relevance is once again ensured by the extensive demo and test areas with the opportunity to try out equipment, safety systems, and techniques firsthand. To test applications in a practical setting, numerous scenarios have been set up: from bouldering blocks and climbing trees to platforms including ladders, shafts, and climbing walls, as well as trussing and a container tower. The Zero Gravity Challenge from Kletter-Event also offers a sporting challenge for particularly motivated visitors.
Images: Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH
The high-angle rescue and industrial sectors continue to grow
On the exhibitor and partner side, Vertical Pro 2026 has significantly expanded its industrial and professional focus: The international aid organization ISAR Germany is participating for the second time; new additions include... German Firefighters' Union (DFeuG).
The way food is International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), the industry association for access equipment, is contributing content to the supporting program for the first time. The trade associations FISAT and FSBS They are once again contributing their expertise as specialists in rope-supported industrial and renovation work.
The exhibitor field is complemented by renowned manufacturers and suppliers of occupational safety and access technology such as Petzl, Edelrid, DMM, Delta Plus, the Cologne Rope Command, Ropesolutions, YOKE, Giga Safety, Line Grip and Oben Magazine.
Images: Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH
New expert forum and broad specialist program strengthen exchange
A new dialogue format, the Expert Forum in Hall A6, will premiere at Vertical Pro 2026. The concept: Exhibiting companies will present specialist topics, applications, and solutions with brief product references in 20- to 30-minute slots. Topics include: smart hall management and digital tools, but also Innovations in the field of climbing holds and route settingThe focus is on intensive exchange with the professional audience.
The entire supporting program is spread across the stage in Hall A6, the stage in the East Foyer, and the conference area. The lecture topics are, as usual, wide-ranging: Marco Einhaus will provide insights into... Joint German Occupational Safety and Health Strategy (GDA) and BIM (Building Information Modeling), Thomas Reykers from ABS speaks about the recognition of assembly training courses. Practical sessions are led by, among others, Max Olesko and Valentin Dresely. Tree care topics as well as Rebekka Schütze with formats revolving around Route construction at.
Established formats such as the Science + Research Hub, the Future Wall, and the Job Market will also continue in 2026. This also applies to Women at HeightPlanned events include a networking breakfast on Friday, a booth in Hall A6, as well as lectures and workshops – for example on training, route planning and occupational safety.
Images: Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH
A sport for everyone: Inclusion in focus
Sometimes, the journey to the climbing gym itself determines whether participation is possible – but other, less visible obstacles can also hinder people with disabilities from having equal access to climbing. To bring the important topic of inclusion to the forefront, Vertical Pro 2026 provides a space for exchange. The goal: not only to talk about existing barriers, but above all, to create them. concrete solutions for everyday life in the hall to show.
Together with the DAV and the association “Ich will da rauf eV”, we deliberately place a focus on inclusive climbing in the accompanying program.
Sharon Bareth, Project Manager Vertical Pro
To demonstrate how inclusion can be practiced, the DAV presents, among other things... Circuit breakers with support function and Climbing holds for inclusive route setting The article then goes on to discuss what incentives and offers can provide for the operation of climbing gyms.
The association "Ich will da rauf eV" will also present its inclusive climbing concept and raise awareness in a workshop for Barriers in everyday indoor sportsIt's about more than just individual adjustments, says club spokesperson Katharina Glögl: "For us, inclusion means thinking about climbing from the very beginning in such a way that everyone can participate. We want to show that inclusion is not a special issue, but an opportunity to develop climbing together – towards a sport for everyone."
Climbing, like almost no other sport, offers the opportunity for people with and without disabilities to be active together. Vertical Pro provides a chance to talk about existing barriers.
Katharina Glögl, “I want to get up there eV”
Have your say and network
Following the official program, the networking continues on both days: The DAV Halls & Walls Get Together takes place on Friday from 17:30 p.m. to 22 p.m. at the DAV stand in Hall A7. Additionally, the after-fair party in the East Foyer invites attendees to network from 18 p.m. to 22 p.m. with a DJ, small dance floor, lounges, drinks, and food.
All information at a glance
- Date: November 13th and 14th, 2026
- Opening hours: Friday from 9 am to 18 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 17 pm
- Location: Neue Messe 1, 88046 Friedrichshafen
- Free parking, camping facilities available
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Credits for cover image: Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH