NACE 82.3 – Organisation of Conventions and Trade Shows | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 82.3 covers the organisation, planning and execution of trade shows, exhibitions, congresses, conferences and similar events for third parties. In the public sector, specialist congresses, ministerial events, citizen conferences and international delegation meetings are typical types of contract.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 82.3 cover?

NACE 82.3 (Organisation of conventions and trade shows) classifies companies that act as professional event organisers for public and private clients — from concept design through to full implementation.

Group 82.3 forms a single class within Division 82:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 82.3 are federal ministries and federal authorities, cultural institutions, universities and research institutions, economic development agencies, EU institutions, and regional and municipal authorities with representational event responsibilities.

Public Tenders: NACE 82.3 in Practice

Event organisation for the public sector is among the regularly tendered services — especially congresses, conferences and international meetings are awarded as service contracts or framework agreements.

Typical types of contract

• Specialist congresses and academic conferences: Full congress management for federal ministries, research institutions and universities — including participant management, abstract management and side programme
• International conferences and Council presidencies: Organisation of EU Council Presidency events, embassy receptions and diplomatic conferences
• Trade fairs and exhibitions: Support and organisation of publicly funded trade fair presences, joint stands at trade fairs on behalf of economic development agencies
• Citizen conferences and participation formats: Facilitation and logistics for participation events, future forums and citizen dialogues
• Award and commendation events: Organisation of award ceremonies for state honours (e.g. Federal Cross of Merit receptions, innovation prizes)
• Hybrid and digital event formats: Streaming infrastructure, online participant management, virtual exhibition spaces

Thresholds and procedure types

Event organisation services are subject to EU-wide tendering above EUR 221,000 (EU services threshold for service contracts). Many congress and event contracts fall below this threshold and are tendered nationally. For recurring needs, multi-year framework agreements are often concluded.

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 82.3

For targeted searches for event tenders by public bodies, the following CPV codes are relevant:

Current tenders with these CPV codes are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is NACE 82.3 relevant to in procurement law?

Public Contracting Authorities

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) regularly award overseas trade fair programmes and joint stands. The Federal Foreign Office and German missions abroad commission reception and conference services. Universities and non-university research institutions (Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, MPG) tender congress organisation for academic conferences. In Austria, the Austrian Economic Development Agency (aws), the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and federal ministries are important contracting authorities.

Companies and Bidders

Event agencies and Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) typically need to meet the following criteria for public tenders:

• References: Demonstrated experience with events of comparable size and complexity (number of participants, internationality, budget)
• Quality assurance: Concept for project and quality management, contingency planning
• Accessibility: Experience with accessible event design in line with statutory requirements
• Sustainability concept: Carbon footprinting and sustainability standards (e.g. DIN ISO 20121) are increasingly required
• Financial stability: Liquidity evidence, as organisers often need to make advance payments to venues and service providers

NACE 82.3 in Context: Section N and Division 82

NACE 82.3 is part of Division 82 within Section N (administrative and support service activities).

• NACE N – Administrative and support service activities: Parent section
• NACE 82 – Office administrative, support and other business support activities: Parent division
• NACE 82.1 – Office administrative and support activities: Postal services, records management
• NACE 82.2 – Activities of call centres: Citizen hotlines and public-authority hotlines
• NACE 82.9 – Business support service activities n.e.c.: Debt collection, credit checks

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 82.3 and Public Tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 82.3?
Companies whose economic focus is the professional organisation of events for third parties — i.e. Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), event agencies and specialised trade fair service providers. Catering companies or pure technology service providers without organisational responsibility are not generally included.

Must event services always be tendered?
In principle yes, where public funds are used and the thresholds are exceeded. Below national thresholds (in Germany typically EUR 25,000 net), direct awards or negotiated procedures without notice may be permissible.

What role do sustainability requirements play in event tenders?
Sustainability standards are increasingly required in service specifications: certification to DIN ISO 20121, use of regional caterers, carbon offsetting, avoidance of single-use materials. Bidders should already include a sustainability concept in their bid.

Can smaller event agencies participate in federal tenders?
Yes, provided the required references and capacities can be demonstrated. Bidding consortia involving PCOs, technology providers and catering companies are often a sensible strategy for smaller providers.

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.