The former head takes on an expanded leadership role as LIGNA becomes an independent division within Deutsche Messe.
Stephanie Wagner has assumed leadership of the newly established LIGNA division within Deutsche Messe’s trade and consumer fairs business unit.
Wagner took up the role of global director of LIGNA on 1 Aug 2026. She reports to Hendrik Rawe, who has headed the business unit as senior vice-president at Deutsche Messe since 1 Jul. The unit comprises four divisions and two staff functions.
Wagner began her career in the trade fair industry in 2006 as a project manager for Biotechnica, following positions at Deloitte & Touche in Düsseldorf, Gehrke Econ in Hannover and Sartorius in Göttingen.
She joined LIGNA as a project manager in 2011 and became head of LIGNA in 2021, taking on professional leadership of the team responsible for the leading international trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry.
In her new role, Wagner’s responsibilities have been expanded to include disciplinary management of the LIGNA team, alongside her previous duties.
The establishment of LIGNA as an independent division highlights its role within Deutsche Messe’s trade fair portfolio and gives the event greater organisational independence.
“The independent divisional structure reflects LIGNA’s importance and international orientation while also establishing clear responsibilities for its continued strategic and operational development,” said Rawe.
He added that Wagner’s experience with LIGNA, industry connections, and strategic and operational expertise made her well suited to lead the division.
The next edition of LIGNA will take place from 10 to 14 May 2027 in Hannover, Germany.
