Trade fair 2.0: What countries are doing to restart trade exhibitions
Mevida Young
Project Head (Textiles) - International Sales @ Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs
Countries across the world are working on restarting trade exhibitions with new safety protocols, including contactless entry and cashless transactions.
Managing the health crisis and reviving the economy are the two biggest priorities for governments around the world today. Trade shows, especially, are critical in rebuilding economy, as these offer a chance to companies to sell and source, a vital component of the business calendar and a key factor in building a network.
In its 2019 exhibition report, France-based organisation UFI The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry had estimated that approximately 32,000 exhibitions happen every year, featuring 4.5 million exhibiting companies that attract over 303 million visitors. Exhibitors and visitors combined spend around $137 billion every year on exhibitions, making exhibitions a significant industry. Globally, the tourism segment MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) was projected to reach $1,439.3 billion in 2025, registering a CAGR of 7.6% from 2018 to 2025, as per Allied Market Research.