For the fourth time, we had the pleasure of welcoming our long-standing customer Shell Energy at E-world energy & water in Essen – Europe's leading trade fair for the energy industry and a central meeting place for utilities, municipal utilities, technology providers, and decision-makers.
Two brands, one networked trade fair appearance
2026 brought with it a special conceptual challenge: Next Kraftwerke was also present as a partner alongside Shell Energy. Both companies needed to remain visible independently at E-world, while at the same time being connected to each other in terms of space and content.
Our task as an agency was to make this connection tangible in terms of architecture and design. Shell Energy's existing stand concept was further developed and opened up to create a clear visual and functional bridge to the Next Kraftwerke stand. Pathways, sightlines, and communication zones were deliberately planned to focus on exchange and networking.
Our role on site
From conceptual planning and detailed design to implementation in Essen, we provided comprehensive support for the project:
- Further development of the stand concept for Shell Energy
- Integration of partner Next Kraftwerke into the overall architecture
- Space and communication planning
- Management of trade fair construction, technology, and implementation
- On-site support during E-world
For us, an exhibition stand is much more than just a built space—it is a strategic communication tool. At a trade fair such as E-world in Essen, the quality of the space is decisive for the quality of the discussions.
Industry impression: Energy is becoming more networked
E-world energy & water clearly shows how much the industry is changing. Energy has long been more than just traditional trading. Topics such as digitalization, AI-supported forecasts, flexible business models, and decentralized structures dominate the discussions.
Cooperation is becoming increasingly important—and this is precisely where the partnership between Shell Energy and Next Kraftwerke comes in. Their joint appearance reflected what is currently driving the industry: networking, systems thinking, and partnership-based solutions.
Our personal conclusion
What particularly impressed us was that E-world is no longer just an industry gathering—it is both a platform for dialogue and a laboratory for the future. The openness to cooperation and new business models was clearly noticeable.
For us as an agency, this project was a great example of how spatial design can make strategic partnerships visible. Four years of continuous collaboration with Shell Energy demonstrate how valuable trust, further development, and a shared understanding of brand communication are.
We look forward to everything that lies ahead.
