A First-Time Attendee’s Guide to CPHI Frankfurt

You’ve bought your CPHI Frankfurt pass and booked your flights (or trains!) and hotel for one of Europe’s major financial hubs. You’re excited to walk the CPHI Frankfurt show over 3 days, meeting new people, collaborating with innovators and problem solvers, and learning all that you can.

Day 1

The show floor officially opens…but where to start?

CPHI Frankfurt show floors officially open at 10:00amCET for all standard ticket holders (if you want to wander the halls while it’s less busy, upgrade your ticket for earlier access here).

The CPHI app is your one-stop-shop for all things CPHI! The app gives you access to the floorplan of Messe Frankfurt (a must-have), the conference agenda, and the ability to connect with fellow attendees.

Download the Events by CPHI app on Google Play or iOS.

Seven conference theatres, endless knowledge

The first speakers are setting up and getting ready to share their insights into the major trends impacting the pharma industry. The conference theatres are divided into themes and located in their respective halls on the show floor so you’re never too far from the action:

• Manufacturing 5.0 – Hall 4.1
• Next-Gen Bio – Hall 4.1
• Sustainable Futures – Hall 4.0
• Future of Pharma & Ingredients – Hall 12.1
• Packaging & Device Innovation – Hall 8.0
• Clinical Innovation – Hall 6.1
• Leadership Summit – Europa Room, Hall 4.0

The Leadership Summit in particular aims to deliver a high-impact session featuring an elite gathering of pharmaceutical industry visionaries, C-suite executives, and decision-makers. With a limited number of seats, be sure to secure your place among the key changemakers in pharma. Access is exclusively available with the Leader Pass.

Additionally, the Spotlight Stage located in Hall 4 will feature Content Connect, which will bring sustainability to the forefront with small-group discussions. What challenges or opportunities are top of mind for your business? Submit your ideas and help us shape the agenda. This is your chance to connect with peers and be part of the conversations that truly drive our community forward. Have your say here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/e2aa0ef52d3c44b4bce6139a40e9fa8b

If you miss a session, fret not! Each talk will be recorded and uploaded onto CPHI Online shortly after, available for you to view when you please.

View the full conference agenda here.

Awards

The first day of CPHI Frankfurt always concludes with the annual CPHI Pharma Awards, a celebration of the innovative accomplishments of the pharmaceutical industry. Don’t forget to register to attend the CPHI Pharma Awards here to secure your place in cheering on your fellow colleagues and collaborators.

With categories like Supply Chain Excellence, Accelerating Innovation, CEO of the Year, Woman of the Year, and Future Leader, the awards ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to connect and celebrate with friends and colleagues from around the world.

Register for the CPHI Pharma Awards here. 

Day 2

New Zones

As a first-time attendee to a CPHI event, every hall has something new to offer. However, this year at CPHI Frankfurt there is something new even for returning attendees and exhibitors. We have expanded the heart of pharma to include several new zones to reflect the present and the future of pharma.

These new zones are designed to help attendees like you explore a range of solutions and find the right one for your business. New zones this year include but are not limited to:

AI and Tech
Discover AI and technology solutions and connect with leaders driving the industry forward with generative AI for molecule design, clinical trial optimisation, smart production systems, market intelligence platforms and more.

Cold chain & Logistics
This dedicated area for cold chain innovation showcases businesses working in the critically important area of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical distribution. Connect with organisations working in temperature-controlled storage and transportation, smart monitoring, and market logistics.

Sustainability Supplier
Sustainability is at the core of CPHI events, and we are excited to offer attendees and exhibitors the opportunity to connect and innovate with our Sustainability Supplier zone. With sustainability measures and policies increasing the demand for sustainable practices within the pharmaceutical supply chain, those in search of partners that prioritise sustainable solutions will benefit from visiting our Sustainability Supplier zone.

Discover all the new zone offerings here.

Mentorship programme

Day 2 of CPHI Frankfurt features a structured onsite networking programme for those involved in our Mentorship Programme. Attendees, speakers, and exhibitors alike are welcome to register as a mentor or mentee to further their industry connections, learn from experienced pharma professionals, or share their knowledge and insights to new professionals.

Register here to be a mentor or a mentee.

Day 3

Networking events

While the final day of CPHI Frankfurt is always bittersweet as we prepare to say goodbye to our friends and colleagues catching flights and connections back home, the in-person connecting doesn’t stop!

A wide range of networking programmes are on offer for attendees with Leader Pass benefits, such as the Connections Programme, access to the Networking Leader Lounge, and access to the Leadership Summit.

Upgrade your pass here.

Digital connections year-round

And with that, your first time at CPHI Frankfurt comes to an end. You’ve walked away with tote bags filled with pens, lanyards, and notebooks you may or may not use ever again, and stimulating conversations with pharma professionals and newcomers all working towards finding the best solutions for the industry.

Yet, your CPHI experience doesn’t have to stop at the last day of our events. CPHI offers various sponsorship and marketing products and packages to keep your business connections running throughout the year. From webinars to Trend Reports, our digital marketing solutions can keep you connected with the right people long after CPHI Frankfurt has ended. 

Find out more here.

As CPHI Frankfurt 2025 approaches this October, the global pharmaceutical community stands poised for what promises to be an unparalleled convergence of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity. With over 63,000 professionals from 160+ different countries gathered at the beating heart of pharma, this landmark event promises to provide a comprehensive ecosystem to foster the innovation in a rapidly evolving pharmaceutical landscape. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a returning friend of CPHI, this global experience will undoubtedly shape the industry’s trajectory for the coming year, as well as the experience of those participating in creating the future of pharma.

For more information on travel and accomodation, the venue itself, and the event planner, see the pass holder pre-show guide here.