November 20, 2025
- Spotlight on innovations: Start-up area with 37 young businesses provides fresh impetus for the industry
- From AI-powered systems to advanced rescue equipment: Enhancing safety across work and sports
- On the horizon for 2026: Expanding the professional sector to include the topic of "Vertical work at height amid natural hazards"
Friedrichshafen – Routes are being set, ropes tensioned, gear checked: The fifth edition of the Vertical Pro is about to begin. From November 21 to 22, 2025, Messe Friedrichshafen will become the international platform for rope access technology, working at height and rescue, climbing and bouldering halls, as well as high ropes and forest ropes courses. Together with the renowned industry get-together "Halls & Walls" of the German Alpine Club (DAV), the trade fair shows the whole variety of work at height.
A prime example of this variety is the Start-up Area, in which 37 young businesses present their developments and concepts for work, safety and sports in the vertical world. "Vertical Pro has established itself as a key fixture in the trade fair calendar. As a central platform for the vertical industry, it sets key impulses for the market, knowledge transfer and new collaborations," says Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen.
Project manager Sharon Kommer adds: "With around 200 exhibiting companies from 30 nations, a specialist program with over 100 hours of lectures, workshops and live demonstrations plus numerous product innovations, we are showing how dynamic and innovative the vertical industry is – both in sports and professional applications."
"Halls & Walls": Expertise and industry networking with the DAV
As a long-standing partner of Vertical Pro, the German Alpine Club (DAV) is once again shaping a central part of the trade fair with "Halls & Walls". The accompanying program of lectures, workshops and panel discussions offers space for exchange and knowledge transfer within the climbing and bouldering hall industry, addressing topics such as hall safety, route setting or professional training. In Halls A7 and A5, companies will present their innovations in wall construction, hold design, training systems and gym management.
Innovative AI solution for climbing sports
One of these innovative companies is Lizcore from Spain. The start-up is developing a digital ecosystem for climbing gyms that connects operators, brands, route setters and climbers on one platform. With the new upgrade to its "Safety Gate" system, Lizcore adds an AI-supported module for auto-belay devices, enabling the transition from passive to active safety. Through intelligent maintenance control and real-time monitoring, it helps make climbing both safer and more interactive. "With the 'Safety Gate', we are opening a new chapter in indoor climbing. Our goal is to combine safety, technology and the climbing experience and to further develop the future of climbing together with the international community," says Edgar Casanovas, founder and CEO of Lizcore. Live demonstrations will take place on both days of the trade fair.
Intelligent safety systems for climbing applications
ipf electronic GmbH is also focusing on smart safety systems for climbing sports. This year, the company is making its debut at Vertical Pro, presenting "BelayCheck", an innovative warning system for use in climbing gyms. "BelayCheck automatically detects whether climbers are correctly hooked in when using auto-belay climbing systems and immediately issues visual and acoustic warnings if the safety connection is missing. This significantly helps raise safety standards in indoor climbing and reduce the risk of serious accidents – without requiring additional staff,” says Gülcan Aydin of ipf electronic. Interested parties can get an idea of the range of features at the climbing wall in Hall A6 on Friday and Saturday.
Fast and safe rescue: Experience CatchPack live
When every second counts in the field, every move matters. For situations like these, ropesolutions has developed the "CatchPack". It's a knot-free fall protection system specifically designed to meet the needs of fire departments and rescue services. The system enables reliable and intuitive use, making it ideal for time-critical missions. "With 'CatchPack', we offer a safe and robust fall protection system without unnecessary frills," explains Marco Lechmann from ropesolutions. "During our live demos, visitors can experience the ease of use and the well-thought-out design for themselves." Live demos will take place at the platform in the Demo + Test Area in Hall A6 on both days of the trade fair.
International aid in action: I.S.A.R. Germany at Vertical Pro
I.S.A.R. Germany (International Search and Rescue), a globally recognized organization specializing in disaster-area search and rescue operations, will be represented at Vertical Pro for the first time. The team of experienced specialists is part of the United Nations' international disaster relief operations. At the trade fair, the height rescue team from I.S.A.R. Germany will demonstrate how people can be safely rescued from difficult terrain and how rescue dogs are lowered from heights to locate missing persons in inaccessible areas. "With our demonstrations, we aim to showcase what modern height rescue is capable of today. At the same time, we look forward to exchanging ideas with professionals and sharing our commitment to international aid with a broad audience,” says Gerd Federer, recovery specialist and SRHT instructor at I.S.A.R. Germany. The demonstrations will take place on Friday at 12:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 12:45 p.m.
"Women at Height" – two days of networking, expertise and visibility
The "Women at Height" network format is back this year with its own booth, complete with stage and lounge area in Hall A6, present on both days of the event. Women from the fields of rescue, industrial climbing, tree care, route setting and climbing gym management will report on their everyday work and give insights into their experiences and challenges at height. The program invites all trade fair visitors to get to know new perspectives and talk to the female experts.
Outlook: Expansion of the professional sector in 2026
The Vertical Pro is looking ahead and opening a new chapter for the industry: Starting in 2026, the Professional sector will expand to include the topic of "Vertical work at height amid natural hazards". The aim is to foster exchange between professional groups dealing with natural hazards and complex working environments at height.
This year's kick-off will take place with an introductory session between 3 and 4 p.m. on Friday, where Carsten Beinhoff (Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture) and Marco Einhaus (Technical University TU Munich) will discuss the specific challenges of these work situations together with the Gütegemeinschaft Hang- und Felssicherung e.V. The event is aimed at all interested parties and free of charge for Vertical Pro visitors.
Opening hours and prices
Vertical Pro will take place in Friedrichshafen on November 21 and 22, 2025. Opening hours: Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online only. Day tickets are available for 44 euros and 2-day tickets cost 52 euros.
Vertical Pro Homepage: www.vertical-pro.de
Follow on Instagram: @verticalpro_official
Press contact:
Emil Weikinn, Manager Media Relations
Phone: +49 7541 708-308
E-Mail: emil.weikinn@messe-fn.de
About Vertical Pro:
Vertical Pro brings together all height professionals – from both the sports and professional sectors. The trade fair presents topics for operators of high-rope courses, climbing gyms and bouldering halls, people working at height, rescue and aid organizations. The focus is primarily on interaction: equipment such as ropes, climbing holds or carabiners as well as safety systems can be tested and compared in the Demo and Test area. The supporting program offers a wide range of opportunities for knowledge building and inspiration. The concept focus of Vertical Pro creates new synergies for sporting and industry climbers, providing the ideal meeting point for exchanging ideas across industry and country borders.
About Messe Friedrichshafen:
Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH is one of Germany's leading trade fair companies and is based on Lake Constance at the nexus of four different countries. Founded in 1950 to promote the region's economy, it has made a name for itself worldwide as an organizer and marketer of leisure and trade fairs. Congresses, corporate and sporting events as well as TV productions and live concerts complement the broad portfolio. Every year, Messe Friedrichshafen attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and thousands of exhibiting companies from more than 100 countries to Lake Constance. A total of 87,500 m² of exhibition space spread over twelve exhibition halls and two multipurpose foyers as well as the two open spaces in the inner courtyard of 15,500 m² and the static display of 20,000 m² offer unique possibilities for eventful trade fair days. The compact exhibition grounds with their own lake in the immediate vicinity of the airport as well as halls with hangar doors allow for a wide variety of potential uses.
Note to Editors: Characters (with spaces): 9674
