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Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Sebastian Rosito will take over as senior vice president of Koelnmesse in Cologne with responsibility for the International Hardware Fair, Asia-Pacific Sourcing, spoga+gafa, spoga horse and h+h cologne.
Currently serving as vice president of corporate and business development at Messe Berlin, Rosito managed the German Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai for Koelnmesse and has put work into developing the foreign trade fair participation business.
“Sebastian Rosito has already proven his exceptional innovative spirit and strong leadership skills in various roles at Koelnmesse,” says Oliver Frese, Koelnmesse COO. “As an established product developer, he is extremely attuned to the market, knows how to successfully implement products and, together with his team, will continue to pursue Koelnmesse’s growth strategy with vigor.”
The international portfolio in Rosito’s future division has experienced marked growth and includes the China International Hardware Show, International Hardware Fair Italy, h+h americas and the new International Hardware Fair India.
For Rosito, the move to Cologne is a homecoming. He started with an internship with Koelnmesse in 2004, then moved into a trainee program and group management of foreign trade fair participations and most recently managed the German Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai.
“I am really looking forward to returning to my roots. This is where I grew up and took my first professional steps,” Rosito says. “With my love of complex corporate issues and past professional experience in roles with real creative opportunities, I am really looking forward to managing the strategically important issues—both nationally and internationally—that will help secure Koelnmesse’s success.”
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Markus Oster, who not only took on responsibility for the business unit alongside his actual role, but has overseen its successful development during challenging times as the sector was reawakening,” Frese says. “Markus will remain responsible for his regular global event portfolio and is handing over the trade fairs he has been managing in addition to his own portfolio in a thriving state. We wish Sebastian every success as he returns to Koelnmesse to take over the division.”
Koelnmesse also appointed a new director of EISENWARENMESSE—International Hardware Fair and Asia-Pacific Sourcing. Sebastian Hein will assume the position starting Nov. 1, succeeding Matthias Becker who has been serving since 2013. Hein joined Koelnmesse in 2014 in the area of corporate development and completed the in-house trainee program. He has also held roles in sales and as an IT project manager.
“We are pleased to have found talent from within our Koelnmesse family for this position,” Frese says. “Sebastian has already demonstrated his innovative spirit and personal qualities in various roles at Koelnmesse. These skills will help to grow EISENWARENMESSE—International Hardware Fair and Asia-Pacific Sourcing.”
Featured image and story images courtesy of Koelnmesse
