When the sanitary, heating, air conditioning, and electrical industries meet at Messe Essen from March 17 to 20, 2026, SHK+E ESSEN will once again be the focus of professional exchange. Around 350 exhibitors will present their latest technologies and solutions—from modern heating technology and smart sanitary solutions to digital tools for the trade. A special highlight of the supporting program will be the guided tours of the trade fair organized by the SHK NRW trade association, the conceptual sponsor of the trade fair.
Compact tours give visitors a targeted overview of innovations, new products, and practical solutions in the industry. The tours are accompanied by experienced experts who explain the background and are available to answer questions. The tours are conducted exclusively in German. “The guided tours offer visitors the opportunity to learn about important innovations in the industry within a short period of time and to talk directly to manufacturers. This allows us to create real added value for specialist trades and planning,” says Torben Brinkmann, project manager of SHK+E ESSEN.
Efficient trade fair visits for industry professionals
The tours are aimed in particular at specialist tradespeople, business owners, planners, and industry professionals who want to make the most of their visit to the trade fair and gain new inspiration for their everyday work. The technical tours will be led by SHK entrepreneurs from the board of the trade association and Alexander Kikillus, who holds the position of acting managing director for technology: “The starting and ending point is the SHK NRW trade association stand in Hall 2, Stand 2B03. The tours are free of charge. To help us plan better, we kindly ask you to register in advance for the relevant date at: www.shk-nrw.de/2026-messerundgang-shk/. We look forward to welcoming many interested trade fair visitors.”
The “Sanitary Innovations” tour (March 17, 10:30 a.m. + March 19, 10:30 a.m.) presents the latest trends and innovations in modern bathroom and sanitary solutions. Participants visit selected industry stands and experience products in action. The focus is on design, functionality, and sustainability. Knowledgeable experts explain the background and provide insights into current developments in sanitary technology. The “Heating Innovations” tour (March 18, 10:30 a.m. + March 20, 10:30 a.m.), on the other hand, is all about modern heating technology and future-proof systems. Visitors will learn about innovative solutions for energy-efficient heating. Current technologies will be clearly presented and classified according to technical criteria at the stands of leading manufacturers.
Focus on efficient assembly
The guided tours for installation optimization tie in with the focus topic of SHK+E ESSEN 2024. The tour “Installation Optimization for Plumbing” (March 19, 2:30 p.m.) shows how workflows in the plumbing sector can be made more efficient. The focus is on time-saving systems and clever installation solutions. Participants will experience practical applications directly at the exhibition stands and receive helpful tips for everyday work on the construction site. During the “Heating Installation Optimization” tour (March 18, 2:30 p.m.), visitors will learn how innovative technology facilitates the installation of modern heating systems. Solutions will be presented that shorten installation times and make work processes more efficient – supplemented by practical application tips from industry experts.
On Tuesday, March 17, starting at 2:30 p.m., there will also be a special tour focusing on AI topics and innovations at the trade fair under the motto “Algorithms instead of buzzwords: The invisible logic of modern industry software.” In this guided tour, Jens Fiedler, BIT consultant for the trade association with a focus on digitalization, and HVAC entrepreneur and board member Karl-Hermann Richter will join participants in taking a look behind the scenes of software from the industry. The focus will be on algorithms and automation processes for HVAC practice that work—precisely and efficiently—to significantly speed up everyday work.
Plan your visit to the trade fair!
