Democratic Republic until the early 1970s. The fair also played an important role in international politics during the crisis over the erection of the Berlin Wall. In August 1961, Willy Brandt (then Mayor of Berlin) called for an international boycott of the fair and a host of other East German functions in response to the Wall going up, which illustrates how the Leipzig Trade Fair was of great importance to the Cold War struggles over the legitimacy and recognition of the East German state. The Leipzig fair today In 1996, a new trade fair ground was opened. The Congress Centre Leipzig was also opened, built after designs by Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The old trade fair ground is used for shops, events, supermarkets, and figure skating events, although many areas are empty and unused. Today, the most important fairs are the Leipziger Buchmesse, and the Auto Mobil International. General facts The new Leipzig Trade Fair was built between 1995 and April 1996. The new fairground consists of six halls: five exhibition halls, which have a size of , and the world's largest levitated glass hall, designed by Ian Ritchie Architects. The fairground has about 14,000 parking spaces and is accessible by tram, train, bus, or car. Company facts Leipziger Messe GmbH was founded after the reunification of Germany on 13 June 1996. It is owned equally by Saxony and the city of Leipzig. The firm employs about 400 people, working in the parent company CCL and its subsidiaries. There are two people leading the Leipziger Messe GmbH: the CEO is Mr. Martin Buhl-Wagner and the CTO is Mr. Markus Geisenberger. The subsidiaries are: FAIRNET (booth construction) Leipziger Messe Gastveranstaltungen (event organization) LMI Leipziger Messe International (international trade fair organization) MaxicoM (bringing foreign companies to Germany) fairgoumet (gastronomical services) Leipziger Messe GmbH also has about 22 departments abroad, most of which are autonomous. References External links http://www.leipziger-messe.com http://www.ianritchiearchitects.co.uk Events in Leipzig Trade fairs in Germany Economy of East Germany Tourist attractions in Leipzig Gerkan, Marg and Partners buildings