Stephanie Wagner Named Global Director of LIGNA

Deutsche Messe AG has appointed Stephanie Wagner global director of LIGNA, expanding her leadership responsibilities as the international woodworking and wood processing trade fair becomes an independent division within the organization.

Wagner assumed the newly created position on Aug. 1, 2026, taking responsibility for the LIGNA division within Deutsche Messe’s new Trade and Consumer Fairs business unit. She reports to Hendrik Rawe, senior vice president of the business unit.

The new structure gives LIGNA its own division within Deutsche Messe, reflecting the show’s international reach and strategic importance to the woodworking and wood processing industries.

“The independent divisional structure reflects LIGNA’s importance and international orientation while also establishing clear responsibilities for its continued strategic and operational development,” Rawe said.

Wagner brings 20 years of trade show experience to the expanded position. She began her trade fair career with Deutsche Messe in 2006 as a project manager for BIOTECHNICA and moved to LIGNA in 2011. In 2021, she became head of LIGNA, assuming responsibility for the international event and professional leadership of the LIGNA team.

As global director, Wagner retains responsibility for LIGNA while adding direct personnel management of the team.

Rawe said Wagner’s extensive knowledge of LIGNA, close relationships with the woodworking industry and its customers, and her strategic and operational experience were factors in the appointment.

The organizational change comes as preparations continue for LIGNA 2027, scheduled for May 10-14, 2027, at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Germany.

Held every two years and jointly organized by Deutsche Messe and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, LIGNA covers technologies serving both primary and secondary wood processing. Its exhibition areas include machinery and systems for custom and mass production, surface technology, wood-based panel manufacturing, sawmill technology, wood energy, machine components, automation and forestry equipment.

For secondary wood manufacturers, the show is a major international venue for developments in production machinery, automation, digital manufacturing and surface processing. For the panel sector, it also brings together equipment and technology used in wood-based panel production and finishing.

The 2027 edition will be the first LIGNA held with the trade fair operating as an independent Deutsche Messe division under Wagner’s expanded global leadership.

Deutsche Messe has also reported strong early exhibitor participation for LIGNA 2027, with more than 80 per cent of the exhibition space already allocated as of February 2026.