The German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT) is the largest specialist event for child and youth welfare in the German-speaking world. Held every three years, it brings together professionals, service providers, and institutions to discuss current topics in social work. The 18th edition took place from May 13 to 15, 2025, at the Leipzig Trade Fair.
Exhibition stand design for Diakonie
Managing interests
Ten Diakonie institutions—including Diakonie Sachsen, Diakonie Leipzig, Diakonie St. Martin, and Kinderarche Sachsen—presented a joint 120-square-meter stand. Kollaborat effectively facilitated the entire process, guiding the project from the initial concept to the final alignment on content and design with all ten participants, ensuring everyone’s complete satisfaction. Enthusiasm for the shared mission grew steadily and was palpable during the event itself. Kollaborat also handled project management for the implementation, coordinated with the stand builder, and managed the final inspection and sign-off of the completed stand.
"Thank you very much for the wonderful result achieved with our exhibition stand. I am hugely relieved that we have successfully reached this milestone."Head of Public Relations, Diakonie Saxony
Demonstrating Strength Together
The goal was for the stand to stand out prominently at the trade fair and actively engage visitors. Visibility within the hall and interaction at the stand were the two key objectives. The aim was to create a space that sparked conversations and left a lasting impression.
Questions Sparking Conversation
The centerpiece of the stand was a large, printed cube made of fabric-covered frames—visible from afar across the exhibition hall. Large-format questions were displayed on all sides of the cube. These questions were personal and addressed the human experience directly: "Why has Julian lost all motivation?" "Why does Elisabeth cry every Sunday?"
These fictional—yet all too real—questions served as entry points into five thematic areas, ranging from the skilled labor shortage and inclusion to questions of purpose and religion. Answers could be found at the tables surrounding the cube, which showcased concrete projects and examples from the participating organizations.
Asking questions and seeking answers: this was the guiding principle that united the stand. The arrangement of questions around the cube encouraged visitors to move through the space.
A coffee bike with an espresso bar—the stand’s true crowd-puller—helped create an inviting atmosphere and fostered personal encounters.
Project Facts
Client: Diakonie Deutschland, Diakonie Sachsen, Evangelischer Erziehungsverband e. V. EREV
Period: October 2024 – May 2025
Industry: Social economy, voluntary welfare sector
Services: Exhibition stand concept, stand design, stand coordination, key visual, project management
Team: Hendrik Möller, Jakob Gleisberg
We would like to thank Ms. Bremeyer from Evangelischer Erziehungsverband e. V. (EREV), Ms. Risse-Müller from SS & C Gesellschaft für Industriedekoration und Messegestaltung mbH, and Johannes van Bebber from Café Mitsu for the excellent collaboration.
