Based on Düsseldorf's long history of trade fairs, the Trade Fair Organisation (Messe) was founded in 1947 as Nordwestdeutsche Ausstellungsgesellschaft mbH (NOWEA), and is now Messe Düsseldorf GmbH (German form of Ltd.). In 1971, the company moved to the newly built exhibition centre in Stockum, next to the Düsseldorf Airport. In 1993, it hosted the finals of the Davis Cup in one its halls.