Latest results of the Global Exhibition Barometer

Latest results of the Global Exhibition Barometer

– The global exhibition industry has contracted by 68% in 2020, compared to 2019

– €200 billion (USD 224 billion) of total exhibition-related output not generated, with 2.4 million jobs affected

– €330 billion (USD 370 billion) of business agreements between exhibition participants not generated

 Figures show that global industry revenues for 2020 dropped by 68%, compared to 2019. This result is based on regional data provided in the UFI Global Exhibition Barometer, which indicates that 2020 revenues represented only 23% of those from 2019 in Central and South America, rising to 24% in the Middle East and Africa, 27% in the Asia-Pacific region, 32% in Europe and 36% in North America.

 Exhibitions have a direct impact on numerous sectors in the regions where they take place – not just the exhibition industry (venues, organisers and service providers), but all related sectors, such as accommodation, restaurants and transport. Taking all of these sectors into account, it is estimated that a minimum of €200 billion (USD 224 billion) of total exhibition-related output was not generated in 2020, including €80 billion (USD 90 billion) in North America, €65 billion (USD 73 billion) in Europe and €46 billion (USD 52 billion) in the Asia-Pacific region. This equates to 2.4 million full-time jobs affected globally.

 Exhibiting companies use face-to-face events to generate contacts that lead to business, either at or soon after the event, and the non-tenure of most exhibitions in 2020 has led to an estimated €330 billion (USD 370 billion) of business volume affected. While a small fraction of that loss may have been compensated for specific sectors, with the development of purely digital solutions, the net impact remains very high.

 You can access the press release here.

And the Global Exhibition Barometer study here.