WHO WE ARE  The European Major Exhibition Centres Association EMECA unites 25 leading exhibition venues in Europe, many of which are also exhibition and event organisers. It was formed in 1992, the starting year of the European Union Internal Market. The date marks the beginning of an unprecedented path of growth, enhancement and success for the exhibition industry in Europe. Many exhibition venues renovated and expanded or fully renewed their premises as the trade fairs and business events increased in quantity and quality and in particular became more and more international.

Today, Europe hosts the large majority of the leading international shows for each sector and represents nearly half of the global market share. EMECA Members are convinced of the active role they play in bringing together the international trading community. The EMECA exhibition centres strive to provide exhibitors and visitors with an excellent infrastructure and first-class information networks. In Europe they play an active part in the development of local trade. Regular socio-economic impact studies prove the huge effects of exhibition activity on the community and the larger region and the number of jobs generated directly and indirectly.

The EMECA venues host and organise almost 2,000 exhibitions a year with roughly 400,000 exhibitors and 38,5 million visitors on a gross rented display area of 38 million square meters.

Outside Europe, many EMECA Members help European companies to benefit from market globalisation and adopt appropriate initiatives, such as setting up new trade fairs, supporting technology transfer to emerging markets and introducing European exhibitors to tradeshows all over the world. Meanwhile, EMECA Members have become renowned exhibition organisers in key growth regions outside of Europe.

Europe's leading role and success has always been intertwined with its unique position as a marketplace for business, ideas and people to come together. The trust gained through face-to-face meetings is equally instilled within European culture and values. Today, the live meetings at the trade fairs or business events are being enhanced and complemented by numerous digital services and products for the exhibitors and visitors like creating relevant leads by matchmaking, digital wayfinding, 365 platforms, content and education. Many more digital innovations are currently underway.