September 04, 2025
With new project management, fresh team spirit and a revamped key visual, Tuning World Bodensee (14 to 17 May 2026) is starting a new chapter: on 1 August, Stephan Mayer took over the management of the major event organised by Messe Friedrichshafen. He will be supported in future by his team led by Robin Lupschina and Lena Meister. The Stuttgart native certainly brings with him the necessary passion for people and cars. He first came into contact with the industry in Greece between the ages of 16 and 18. ‘A friend of mine who was involved with high-end vehicles there introduced me to the scene. At that time, there were modified cars in Greece that were not allowed here in Germany,’ recalls Stephan Mayer. Infected with tuning fever, he visited Tuning World Bodensee in Friedrichshafen as a guest in 2014.‘ I remember that Kay One was there at the time,’ he recalls. Although his passion for cars has remained ever since and many of his friends had gone on to work for car manufacturers, the 39-year-old initially started his career in the hotel industry after completing his vocational baccalaureate, where he gained a wide range of experience in event organisation and sales. He then worked for a recruitment agency, coordinating catering staff for trade fairs and Bundesliga stadiums. This was followed by positions in B2B sales, including at electric vehicle manufacturer Nio, where he worked in sales and after-sales. When asked why he applied for the job vacancy in Friedrichshafen, Stephan Mayer replies: ‘The trade fair business, the people who work here, the unique location on Lake Constance and, of course, the automotive industry – it was just a perfect match,’ adding: ‘I like the variety. There is so much emotion involved in trade fairs.’
Outlook for Tuning World Bodensee 2026
Whether high-end conversions, American muscle cars or sporty classics – Tuning World Bodensee will remain true to its reputation as a showcase for the international tuning scene under the new team. "We want to strike the perfect balance between tried-and-tested trade fair highlights and a scene atmosphere. We also want to further expand the event character and at the same time create space for fresh ideas," reveals the new project manager, giving a first preview of the 2026 event. Next year, the audience can look forward not only to an expanded action programme, exciting special shows, new themed halls and hall arrangements, but also to influencers, celebrities and interactive formats that will shape the tuning event. ‘We are currently in the process of developing a pool of new ideas and optimising tried-and-tested concepts.’ For example, the parking situation will also be optimised. By renting additional parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the exhibition centre, the number of spaces available will be significantly increased in 2026. Visitors can also look forward to free parking.
Key visual with new paintwork
The key visual has also been revised for 2026. "We have retained the basic idea from 2025, which reflects a perfect symbiosis between the location and the fascination of tuning. We have taken this already very cool styling to the next level by incorporating the latest trend colours and a completely new car that perfectly reflects the dynamism of our event," says Ludwig Meier, member of the management board and co-founder of Tuning World Bodensee.