Re-opening in 1947

The fairgrounds were not spared the widespread destruction experienced by Cologne during World War II. Nevertheless those responsible in the town supported the speedy reconstruction of the fair and its buildings. As early as 1947 the halls were again available with some 10,000 square meters of exhibition space. The first spring fair after the war was a complete success despite these adversities and this strengthened the city�s constant endeavors to promote the fair. At this time the British military were promoting the development of fair companies in Düsseldorf and Hanover. This did nothing to dishearten the denizens of Cologne, however. German economic policy under the Minister for Economic Affairs, Ludwig Erhard, was based on the market economy and thus a deregulated market in most areas of economic endeavor � including trade fairs � which helped the fair to regain its former size and importance by the start of the 1950s.