Management
Wolfram Nikolaus Diener

Wolfram Nikolaus Diener

Chairman

Vita Wolfram Nikolaus Diener
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positions
  • Since 07/2020 |

    President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • Since 2018 |

    Operative Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • 2011 – 2018 |

    Senior Vice President at UBM Asia Ltd. (Hong Kong)

  • 2005 – 2011 |

    Vice President at Venetian Macau Ltd./Marina Bay Sands Singapore Ltd.

  • 2001 – 2005 |

    Director of Shanghai New International Expo Centre Ltd.

  • 1997 – 2001 |

    Managing Director at Messe Frankfurt (H.K.) Ltd.

  • 1992 – 1997 |

    Project Director International at Hamburg Messe- und Congress GmbH

  • 1991 |

    Baden-Württemberg horticultural show, Pforzheim

Titles / Qualifications

Diploma in Business Administration (FH)

Studies / Training

Pforzheim University

Date / Place of birth

1964 / Freiburg i.Br., Germany

Marital Status

Married, three children
Marius J. Berlemann

Marius J. Berlemann

Regional Head

Vita Marius J. Berlemann
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positions
  • Since 2024 |

    Chief Operating Officer at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • Since 2024 |

    Regional Head at Messe Düsseldorf for Asia

  • 2021 - 2024 |

    Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf (China) Ltd.

  • 2019 - 2024 |

    General Manager at Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

  • 2016 - 2019 |

    Director ProWein; Global Head - Wine & Spirits at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • 2012 - 2016 |

    Senior Project Manager at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

Titles / Qualifications

  • Master of Arts in General Management

Studies / Training

  • Witten / Herdecke University

Date / Place of birth

  • 1986 / Düsseldorf, Germany

Marital Status

  • Married, two children
Millie Arthur Contractor

Gernot Ringling

Vice Regional Head Asia

Vita Gernot Ringling
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Since taking the helm as Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia in May 2000, following his initial role as General Manager in September 1995, Ringling has been a pivotal force in steering the company's strategic direction and development. With a tenure spanning close to four decades within the broader Messe Düsseldorf group, his leadership has been a cornerstone of Messe Düsseldorf Asia’s continuing success. Messe Düsseldorf Asia stands as one of the leading exhibition organizers in Asia and serves as the Southeast Asian regional headquarters for the Messe Düsseldorf group. The company holds a diverse portfolio of 18 trade fairs across more than eight sectors, reinforcing its prominence in the region. Under Ringling's leadership, the company has fostered a culture of innovation and growth, and now includes a trade fair portfolio in key markets such as Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. His dedication and keen industry insights continue to position Messe Düsseldorf Asia as a significant player in the Southeast Asian exhibition landscape, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of industry trends and developments.
 
Due to his vast experience in Asia, Ringling has expanded his scope of responsibilities and now straddles a new portfolio as Deputy Regional Head at Messe Düsseldorf for Asia, further emphasising his critical role in the Messe Düsseldorf group’s international expansion and strategic initiatives. Together with Marius Berlemann, Regional Head, Messe Düsseldorf for Asia, Ringling is jointly responsible for the Messe Düsseldorf group’s subsidiaries across key markets in Asia, including China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Millie Arthur Contractor

Michael de Buhr

Regional Finance Director

Vita Michael de Buhr
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positions
  • Apr. 2024–today |

    Regional Finance Director of Messe Duesseldorf Asia Pte Ltd

  • June 2007–Apr. 2024 |

    Dept. Director Controlling/Riskmanagement of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • Feb. 2000–Mai 2007 |

    Subsidiary controller, International Subsidiaries of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • Apr. 1998–Jan. 2000 |

    Director Finance Controlling Eventdivision of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

  • June 2008–Aug. 2017 |

    Executive Director Finance of Messe Düsseldorf India Pvt. Ltd.

  • Dec. 2002–Dec. 2006 |

    Managing Director/Liquidator of Messe Düsseldorf Poland Ltd.

  • Jan. 2001–today |

    Internal Auditor (Kansa Yaku) of Messe Düsseldorf Japan Ltd.

  • Jan. 1998–März 1998 |

    Finance/Administration Director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd.

  • Jan. 1996–Jan 1998 |

    Finance/Adminsitrative Manager of Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd.

  • Jan. 1984–Dec. 1995 |

    Senior Manager Insurance / Legal Dept of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

Studies / Training

  • Insurances specialist (IHK)

Date / Place of birth

  • 1963 / Wuppertal/Germany

Martial Status

  • Married, two children

Shirley Lim

GM of Messe Düsseldorf Asia

Vita Shirley Lim
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Since 2003, Shirley Lim has served as the General Manager at Messe Düsseldorf Asia. Her career with the company started in a strategic capacity as a senior project manager for the healthcare portfolio, where she was instrumental in establishing its success initially in Singapore and subsequently in Thailand. Today, Shirley’s leadership is pivotal not only to the operational excellence but also to the strategic expansion of Messe Düsseldorf Asia’s trade fair offerings across the region. In addition to her enduring role, Shirley has recently taken on an expanded portfolio as Portfolio Director for Messe Düsseldorf for Asia, further underlining her integral role in the company’s growth and diversification strategies.
 
Guiding project teams across a myriad of sectors — from wines and spirits, medical and healthcare, to packaging and printing, plastics and rubber, wire and tube, as well as metal and steel industries — Shirley’s broad oversight ensures the delivery of exceptional trade fair experiences. Her tenure exceeding three decades is characterised by the pursuit of business excellence within a competitive industry environment. Shirley's innovative drive and ability to launch new initiatives reflect her deep-seated passion and commitment to the industry.
 
Her strategic initiatives and leadership have been key in defining her professional ethos and in continuing the legacy of success at Messe Düsseldorf Asia. As she embraces her additional responsibilities as Portfolio Director at Messe Düsseldorf for Asia, Shirley continues to be a linchpin in fostering growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships across the wider Messe Düsseldorf network in Asia.
Marius J. Berlemann

Akiko Ohara

GM of Messe Düsseldorf Japan

Vita Akiko Ohara
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positions
  • Since 2019 |

    President & CEO of Messe Duesseldorf Japan Ltd.

  • 2007 - 2019 |

    Project Manager of business trade fairs at Japan Management Association

  • 1996 - 2007 |

    Human Resource & International Communication at Japan Management Association

Studies / Training

  • Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Sophia University, Tokyo

Date / Place of birth

  • 1969 / Tokyo
Marius J. Berlemann

Evian Gu

GM of Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai & Messe Düsseldorf China

Vita Evian Gu
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positions
  • since of 08/2024 |

    General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf China

  • 2021 - 2024 |

    Division Director of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

  • 2019 - 2021 |

    Senior Project Director of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

  • 2015 - 2019 |

    Project Director of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

  • 2008 - 2015 |

    Project Manager of Messe Nürnberg Shanghai

  • 2003 - 2008 |

    Project Manager of Worldwide Exhibition Service Co., Ltd.

Studies / Training

  • International Economic and Trade, Fudan University, Shanghai

Date / Place of birth

  • 1981 / Shanghai, China
Millie Arthur Contractor

Millie Arthur Contractor

GM of Messe Düsseldorf India

Vita Millie Arthur Contractor
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Millie Arthur Contractor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Mumbai University and a further Post graduate diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) from a leading Management Institution. With a proven track record of over 26 years in the Industry, out of which 23 years have been with leading German Trade Fair organisers, Ms Contractor an experienced trade fair professional has held leadership positions within the exhibition Industry with a focus on Sales, Project Management and strategic planning and implementation. She has been a part of Messe Duesseldorf India since October 2016 and most recently holds the position of General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors at Messe Duesseldorf India, where she provides strategic leadership and oversees Sales, Marcom , PR, and Projects. Prior to joining Messe Duesseldorf India, Ms Contractor held leadership positions at Messe Muenchen India and Messe Frankfurt India, where she contributed towards Sales, setting up the International Business Division, Conceptualizing sales procedures and workflows, Project Management, Budgeting, forecasting, Initiating pavilion sales, CRM System Implementation, training and development. Passionate about Sales with a firm eye on the P & L and providing strategic leadership and vision for the future of the company, she is committed to steering Messe Duesseldorf India towards continued success.
Ajay Kumar Gulati

Ajay Kumar Gulati

GM of Messe Düsseldorf India

Vita Ajay Kumar Gulati
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Ajay Kumar Gulati is General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors at Messe Düsseldorf India, where he provides strategic leadership and overseas Finance, Operations, Administration and Projects- Medical Fair India, Famdent, Valve World Expo India and ProWine Mumbai. With a proven track record of over 20 years of executive experience in Financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, Corporate Compliances, Risk Management and strategic planning, He is specializing in strategic planning, budget and cost management. He has successfully driven growth innovation and profitability. Prior to joining Messe Düsseldorf India, Ajay Kumar Gulati held leadership positions at Kautex Textorn and Kurz, where he contributed towards mergers and acquisitions, financial stability, leadership and team development. Ajay Kumar Gulati is a Qualified Company Secretary from Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) also holds bachelor degree in Law (LL. B), Post graduate degree in Commerce (M. Com) and Post graduate diploma in Business Management (PGDBM). Passionate about driving financial growth and providing strategic leadership and vision for financial future of the company, he is committed to steering Messe Düsseldorf India towards continue success and making a positive impact in the industry.