Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Contact 2026 job fair celebrates its 30th anniversary, providing a platform for students and companies to connect. It will be held at the Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät, offering opportunities for internships, theses, and career entry.
With around 50 companies participating, it serves as a prime venue for dialogue between businesses and aspiring professionals. Contact takes place in Erlangen, Germany.
Venue: Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: November 2026 (final dates and opening hours to be confirmed by the organiser) at the Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät, Erlangen, Germany.
- 2Organiser: The event is organized by ETG Kurzschluss e.V., VDI Young Engineers, and CONTACT GbR.
- 3Entry: Admission is free for all visitors, making it accessible for students and job seekers.
- 4Sector Focus: An engineering and technology contact fair (Kontaktmesse) where employers meet students, graduates and young professionals from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, computer science, energy technology, materials and related MINT fields.
- 5Setting: A university venue on the engineering campus of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, in a region that combines the FAU research campus with the Siemens Erlangen site and a dense mid-size industrial base across Nuremberg, Fürth and Erlangen.
Why visit
Attendees can network with a variety of companies, explore internship and job opportunities, and gain insights into the job market. Dates and Venue: Contact 2026 takes place on November 18-19, 2026, at the Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät in Erlangen, Germany. Scale and Focus: This job fair features around 50 participating companies and attracts thousands of visitors each day. Entry: Admission is free for all visitors, making it accessible for students.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors can showcase their brand to a large audience of potential candidates, enhancing their visibility among future engineers and scientists. Buyer Authority: Targeted at students, graduates, and young professionals seeking career opportunities. Use Contact to strengthen brand visibility, collect qualified leads, and meet buyers face to face.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg students in electrical engineering, electronics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, computer science, materials science and related MINT programmes, looking for internships or working-student roles.
Final-year bachelor's and master's students searching for a company thesis topic (Abschlussarbeit) that can be written with an industrial partner.
Graduates within roughly 24 months of finishing their degree who are making the transition into a first full-time engineering role (Berufseinstieg).
Young professionals with one to five years of experience in automation, electronics, software, energy or production engineering who are considering a move inside the Nuremberg-Erlangen region.
International students enrolled at FAU or other Bavarian universities who want face-to-face contact with recruiters before applying online.
School leavers and technical apprentices (Ausbildung) exploring dual-study (duales Studium) or vocational routes into industrial employers.
PhD candidates and postdocs looking for industrial R&D roles, research-engineer positions or industry collaboration.
Career changers with a technical or scientific background and IT professionals moving into hardware, automation or energy roles.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Industrial employers in automation, drive technology, robotics and production engineering, including mid-size Bavarian machinery builders.
Electronics, semiconductor, sensor and embedded-systems companies that recruit hardware, firmware and test engineers.
Energy utilities, grid operators and renewable-energy developers looking for power engineering, control and grid-planning talent.
Automotive and mobility suppliers from the Nuremberg-Erlangen-Stuttgart corridor recruiting for electrification, software and validation roles.
IT, software and data-engineering employers hiring for backend, embedded, cloud and industrial-IT positions.
Engineering consultancies, technical service providers and testing or certification bodies.
Non-university research institutes with Erlangen, Nuremberg and Fürth sites that offer thesis and research-engineer positions.
Regional startups and SMEs from the Nuremberg metropolitan region that use the fair for brand building and direct hiring.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Internships (Praktikum) and working-student roles (Werkstudent) in engineering and IT.
Bachelor's and master's thesis placements (Abschlussarbeit) carried out with an industrial partner.
Graduate and direct-entry engineering positions for bachelor's and master's graduates.
Dual-study programmes (duales Studium) that combine academic study with structured company training and a salary.
Apprenticeships (Ausbildung) in technical, electronic, mechatronic and industrial trades.
PhD, research-engineer and industrial R&D positions, including cooperation with university institutes.
Trainee and graduate-development programmes with rotation through several departments.
Technical fields represented on the floor: electrical engineering and electronics, automation and robotics, mechanical and production engineering, energy and power systems, computer science and software, materials and process engineering, medical technology, and mobility or automotive engineering.
Location & Facilities
Venue
Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät
Erlangen, Germany
Facilities
Parking
Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät in Erlangen typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät in Erlangen typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Who runs the show
Organisers
ETG Kurzschluss e.V.
VDI Young Engineers
CONTACT GbR
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Erlangen, Germany
Why it matters
Attending Contact on 2026-11-18 to 2026-11-19 in Erlangen lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · EUR
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
B&B Hotel Erlangen
budget
Erlangen3.7 km away to venueHoliday Inn Express Erlangen by IHG
midscale
Erlangen2.6 km away to venueHotel Villa Erlen
midscale
Erlangen2.8 km away to venueHoliday Inn - the niu, Cure Erlangen by IHG
midscale
Erlangen2 km away to venueB&B HOTEL Erlangen-Tennenlohe
budget
Tennenlohe, Erlangen3.8 km away to venueGarner Hotel Erlangen Sued by IHG
midscale
Erlangen South3.5 km away to venueLachnerhof
budget
Erlangen2.7 km away to venueNovotel Erlangen
upscale
Erlangennot stated in capture to venueLocal transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
S-Bahn (S1)
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forNuremberg main station to Erlangen station
The S1 suburban line links Nuremberg, Erlangen and points north. Buy a VGN ticket at the station or in the app before boarding.
City bus
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forErlangen station / city centre to the technical faculty campus in the south of Erlangen
Local bus services connect the station area with the faculty campus. Check VGN for the current line numbers and stop nearest the Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude.
Regional train
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forNuremberg, Fürth or Bamberg to Erlangen
Regional trains supplement the S-Bahn on the Nuremberg-Erlangen corridor and are covered by VGN tickets and the Deutschlandticket.
Taxi / ride-hailing
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forErlangen station, hotel districts or Nuremberg airport to the venue
Ride-hailing availability in Erlangen is thinner than in large capitals; taxis are usually available at the station rank.
Deutschlandticket
Estimated costApprox. EUR 58 per calendar month; confirm the current price
Best forNationwide regional S-Bahn, regional trains, buses and trams
Useful if you stay several days or combine the fair with appointments in Nuremberg, Fürth or Bamberg. Excludes long-distance ICE/IC services.
Bicycle
Estimated costApprox. EUR 10-20 per day for rental; confirm local providers
Best forErlangen city centre and station to the technical faculty campus
Erlangen is a compact bicycle-friendly university city. Confirm secure parking options at the venue before relying on a bike.
taxi
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forNuremberg Airport (Albrecht Duerer) (NUE) to Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät
taxi
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forMunich Airport (MUC) to Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät
Weather
Erlangen in November is cool, damp and often overcast. Daytime highs are typically around 5-9 C with overnight lows near 0-4 C, and light rain or drizzle is common through the month. Daylight is short, so plan indoor waiting time and warm layers. This is a climatological band, not a forecast; check a current forecast shortly before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Germany.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
University town with an industrial base
Erlangen is a compact Franconian university city and home to a large Siemens campus, with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg shaping the city's student life. The technical faculty and the fair venue sit in the southern part of town, a short bus or bike ride from the centre.
Language expectations
German is the working language with most German SMEs and public employers, while international companies and research institutes in the Nuremberg-Erlangen region frequently recruit in English. A short self-introduction in German is appreciated even at English-speaking stands.
Business etiquette
Germans greet with a firm handshake, use titles (Herr, Frau, and academic titles such as Dr.) in introductions, and value punctuality. Address recruiters formally unless they switch to first names.
Application conventions
German employers expect a concise, factual CV (Lebenslauf) and often a tailored cover letter (Anschreiben). Certificates and transcripts are commonly attached, and a photo on the CV is now optional rather than mandatory.
Money and cards
Cards are widely accepted in Erlangen, but some small bakeries, kiosks and taxi drivers prefer cash. Keep a modest amount of euros on hand, and note that many shops close on Sundays.
Food and drink culture
Franconian food is hearty, with local beer culture centred on the region rather than on Erlangen's spring Bergkirchweih alone. Vegetarian options are common in the city centre and around campus.
Tipping
In restaurants and cafes, round up the bill or add roughly five to ten percent and state the final amount when paying. Tipping is not expected at fast-food counters or bakeries.
Late-November atmosphere
Nuremberg's famous Christmas market normally opens in late November, and Erlangen has its own Christmas market in the old town. If the fair falls late in the month, expect cold evenings and busy regional trains at weekends.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Erlangen; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Erlangen; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät: Erlangen: B&B Hotel Erlangen; Erlangen: Holiday Inn Express Erlangen by IHG; Erlangen: Hotel Villa Erlen.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Erlangen; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Check local bus/metro options for routes to Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Temperature: Typically 0-9 C in Erlangen in November, with daytime highs mostly around 5-9 C and overnight lows often near 0-4 C. Frost is possible towards the end of the month. Approximate climatological band; confirm a current forecast before travel.
Seasonality: November is one of the cloudier, damper months in Franconia, with frequent light rain, drizzle and grey skies, plus short daylight hours. Pack a waterproof jacket or umbrella and warm layers. Approximate seasonal pattern; check the forecast during the week before the fair.
Packing: November 2026
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Contact usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Day 14 before the fair - Open contact-messe.de and note the final date, opening hours and any visitor registration or badge requirement.
T-2
Day 13 - Download or print the exhibitor list and shortlist 10 to 15 employers that match your engineering discipline and career stage.
T-3
Day 12 - Visit each shortlisted employer's careers page and note open internships, working-student roles, thesis topics and graduate positions.
T-4
Day 11 - Update your CV to German market conventions: reverse-chronological, one to two pages, with a short profile line at the top.
T-5
Day 10 - Prepare a one-minute self-introduction in German and English covering your degree, specialisation and what you are looking for.
T-6
Day 9 - Print 15 to 20 copies of your CV plus a few copies of transcripts and certificates, and keep PDF versions on your phone.
T-7
Day 8 - Check which exhibitors run on-site interviews, CV checks or technical talks and whether you must book a slot in advance.
T-8
Day 7 - Plan the journey: S-Bahn S1 from Nuremberg to Erlangen, then a regional bus towards the technical faculty campus, or parking near the venue.
T-9
Day 6 - Book accommodation if you are travelling from outside the Nuremberg-Erlangen region; budget and midscale hotels near the campus fill early in fair week.
T-10
Day 5 - Work out the order in which you will visit stands so that your priority employers get your freshest energy.
T-11
Day 4 - Prepare three to five questions per target employer about technology stack, entry programmes, site locations and the application process.
T-12
Day 3 - Sort out your clothes and documents: business-casual outfit, folder, notebook, pens and a charged phone.
T-13
Day 2 - Rehearse your introduction out loud, and prepare a short written note of your top five employers with stand numbers.
T-14
Fair day - Arrive early, pick up the exhibitor directory, talk to every shortlisted employer, collect business cards and send follow-up messages within 48 hours.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Contact registration concourse
Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights€190.00
- Per diem × 2€150.00
Estimated total€340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Contact fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Is admission to the Erlangen engineering contact fair free?
Yes. Organiser material states that entry is free for all visitors, which keeps the fair accessible to students, graduates and job seekers. Individual exhibitors may still run their own optional services such as CV checks or interview slots.
Who can attend this fair?
The fair is aimed at engineering and technology talent: FAU students and graduates, students from other Bavarian universities, working students, young professionals and career changers with a technical background. Check with the organiser whether a visitor registration step is required before the fair.
Where exactly does the fair take place?
At the Mensa- und Hörsaalgebäude der Technischen Fakultät, the canteen and lecture-hall building of the Faculty of Engineering in Erlangen. Use the organiser site contact-messe.de for final room, entrance and opening-hour details.
How do I get to the venue from Nuremberg?
S-Bahn line S1 links Nuremberg main station with Erlangen, and regional buses run from Erlangen station towards the technical faculty campus in the south of the city. Confirm live timetables and connections with VGN before you travel.
Which airport is closest to Erlangen?
Nuremberg Airport (NUE) is the closest commercial airport to Erlangen and is connected to the city by the Nuremberg U-Bahn U2. Munich (MUC) and Frankfurt (FRA) are larger alternatives with rail links into the Nuremberg-Erlangen region. Confirm current timetables and transfer options before booking.
Do I need to bring a CV?
It helps considerably. Recruiters at German contact fairs expect a short CV and a brief self-introduction, so bring 15 to 20 printed copies plus PDF versions on your phone, together with a one-minute summary of your degree focus and what you are looking for.
Are companies hiring interns and thesis students, or only graduates?
Engineering contact fairs of this type normally cover internships, working-student roles, thesis placements, dual-study places and graduate entry positions. Check the exhibitor list and each company's advertised roles to see which profiles they are recruiting.
Will the fair be in German or English?
Expect German to be the main language of the day, especially at German SMEs, while international companies and research institutes in the region often work in English. Preparing a short introduction in both languages is worthwhile.
What should I wear?
Smart business-casual clothing is the norm at German engineering recruiting events: a jacket, shirt or blouse and closed shoes. Full formal business dress is not required, but sportswear is out of place.
Can I park at the venue?
Parking is normally available around the technical faculty campus in Erlangen. Rates, capacity on fair days and any access restrictions should be confirmed with the venue or the organiser before you drive.
Where should I stay in Erlangen?
Erlangen has budget, midscale and upscale hotels within a few kilometres of the technical faculty, including B&B Hotel Erlangen, Holiday Inn Express Erlangen, Holiday Inn - the niu Cure Erlangen and Novotel Erlangen. Book early for fair week, as midscale rooms fill quickly.
What is the weather like in Erlangen in November?
November in Franconia is cool and damp, with daytime temperatures typically between about 5 C and 9 C and frequent overcast or drizzly days. Bring a warm coat, layers and an umbrella, and check a forecast shortly before travel.
Is there a visitor registration deadline?
The organiser material reviewed for this listing does not state a visitor deadline. Check contact-messe.de and the organiser's channels in the weeks before the fair for any registration window, opening hours or last-minute changes.
Glossary
- Kontaktmesse
- A German-style contact fair at which companies and candidates meet for short, direct conversations about jobs, internships and thesis placements. It is a recruitment format rather than a classical product exhibition, which is why admission is normally free for visitors.
- MINT
- The German acronym for STEM subjects: Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaft, Technik. Employers at engineering fairs usually label their technical vacancies as MINT roles.
- Werkstudent
- A working student: someone still enrolled at university who works part time for a company, typically 10 to 20 hours per week during term and more during holidays.
- Praktikum
- An internship, usually a fixed block of weeks or months. In German engineering degrees a Praktikum is frequently a mandatory part of the curriculum.
- Abschlussarbeit
- A final thesis, bachelor's or master's, carried out with a company and graded by the university. Companies use contact fairs to recruit thesis students early.
- Duales Studium
- A dual-study programme that alternates academic study at a university or cooperative state university with structured practical phases at a company, usually paid.
- Ausbildung
- The German apprenticeship system: a two to three-and-a-half year vocational programme combining company practice with vocational-school teaching.
- Traineeprogramm
- A structured graduate-development programme that rotates participants through several departments or sites over 12 to 24 months.
- Berufseinstieg
- Career entry: the transition from university or apprenticeship into a first full-time position, the core audience segment at a Kontaktmesse.
- Lebenslauf
- A CV in German format, usually reverse-chronological, concise and factual, one to two pages for a student or recent graduate.
- Anschreiben
- A tailored cover letter. German employers commonly expect one with a formal application, even when the first contact happened at a fair.
- VGN
- Verkehrsverbund Grossraum Nürnberg, the public transport network that covers Nuremberg, Fürth, Erlangen and the surrounding region, including the S-Bahn and city buses.
- S-Bahn
- The suburban rail system in German metropolitan areas. In this region the S1 line links Nuremberg main station with Erlangen and continues north.
- Deutschlandticket
- A nationwide monthly public transport subscription covering regional trains, S-Bahn, buses and trams across Germany, useful if you stay several days or combine the fair with other appointments.
- FAU
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, the university whose Faculty of Engineering hosts the venue for this fair and supplies a large share of the visiting candidates.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Contact
- Contact 2026
- Contact Erlangen
- Contact Erlangen 2026
- Erlangen Germany
- Job Fair Erlangen 2026
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.