EMECA General Assembly celebrated at Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Portugal

EMECA members' turnover outlook is excellent for 2025

Main focus on challenges in international business due to the geopolitical environment and uncertainty, leading to diversification and re-regionalisation

Greenpact launched by Grupa MTP wins BELA Award 2025

Istanbul Expo Center approved as new EMECA member

This spring, EMECA members gathered at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa for the General Assembly. The hosts provided excellent organisation and outstanding hospitality (see attached photo). “The EMECA members’ performance overview highlighted current challenges and opportunities. Overall, revenue expectations for 2025 are very positive across the membership base, with only a few members having a weaker year due to their exhibition cycle. Nonetheless, the current year has been shaped by increased political and economic uncertainty, with continued pressure on margins. In response, we are seeing diversification and re-regionalisation, which bring about innovation and new business opportunities”, states Elżbieta Roeske, EMECA President.

While exhibition markets are shrinking in industries experiencing major changes - for example, the consumer goods sector, where online retail is growing rapidly - new industries are emerging and bringing about revitalisation. Some classic shows are returning, such as in the automotive and nautical sectors. There has been significant growth in strategic sectors that support increased European independence, such as defence and cybersecurity. Additionally, there is intensive diversification of portfolios beyond trade fairs and congresses towards sports and entertainment. Most EMECA members are expanding their service offerings and sales.

Due to geopolitical challenges, glocalisation and re-regionalisation are accelerating. EMECA members are diversifying their markets and reducing their risks, but are continuing to hold shows in the US. As a consequence of the tariff distortions caused by the US, corporate events and large congresses are choosing Europe. There has also been an increase in the attendance of Chinese exhibitors and visitors at European exhibitions.

Other critical factors include rising prices for salaries and third-party services, including travel and hotel prices for exhibitors and visitors. In addition, there is a lack of adequate direct air connectivity for second-tier European cities, which results in pitches for large events being lost. Long wait times for exhibition visas in major European countries are another risk factor for events in Europe and for its reputation as a business destination.

Investments in EMECA venues, as well as plans for the coming years, have reached record levels for general maintenance and specific sustainability investments, including photovoltaic systems and other energy-saving measures. Some venues have comprehensive master plans in response to the need for additional space or to replace existing halls with higher-quality facilities. Multifunctional halls for shows and conferences, as well as immersive halls for sports and entertainment, are being created to reduce the need for specialised venues, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainability goals. Furthermore, investments in digitalisation, better data (including AI) and security/cybersecurity are continuing steadily. Beyond their business purpose, exhibition venues also play a critical infrastructure role in the event of a public emergency, as was seen during and after last year's extreme weather event in Valencia.

Although the process of fulfilling sustainability legislation and reporting requirements has been simplified for EU Member States, with deadlines extended, EMECA Members will continue to pursue this path in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

EMECA sponsors the industry's global initiative, Net Zero Carbon Events, which provides guidance, best practices and concrete tools, such as CO₂ measurement methodology and education, to help the industry achieve its ambitious goals. The European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA) monitors legislation and coordinates advocacy efforts at the EU level in Brussels to support these goals.

EMECA’s BELA Award 2025, which recognises the best exhibition launch of the previous year, was presented to Greenpact, an event organised by Grupa MTP Poznań in collaboration with the Polish Chamber of Commerce. This B2B exhibition and congress, demonstrated an international outlook and ambition for impact, with a strong focus on content that responded to the needs and interests of its ecosystem. It fulfilled all the criteria that EMECA supports through the BELA Award for new and innovative projects, namely raising awareness of the innovativeness and attractiveness of the exhibition sector, honouring innovation and entrepreneurship, and actively creating new exhibitions by external organisers or in-house launches, as well as hosting such new launches in EMECA venues which provide the best possible environment for success.

Greenpact, the European ESG Summit, was dedicated to three key areas of social responsibility and sustainability: the environment, social issues, and governance. Business representatives, investors, social activists, academics, and government officials attended the event. The aim was to create an inspiring platform for constructive dialogue and the sharing of best practices and methods among all stakeholders involved in sustainability. Greenpact initiated discourse and collaboration between representatives of various communities, including those operating outside the scope of national and European business regulations, as well as those who had previously been overlooked in ESG discussions. The event comprised a debate area, panel discussions and an exhibition space, attracting more than 1,400 attendees to its first edition. It was also designed to be sustainable (see attached photo).

In terms of membership, the EMECA General Assembly was pleased to approve the Istanbul Expo Center in Turkey as a new member for 2025. Elzbieta Roeske explains: “EMECA is excited to welcome Istanbul Expo Centre as a new member. The Turkish exhibition market is vibrant, and the Istanbul Expo Centre is a perfect fit for EMECA, being the largest and leading venue in the Turkish market thanks to the quality of its exhibition space, its location, its ambitious development plans, and the number and variety of events it hosts.” Spanning a total area of 249,000 sqm, Istanbul Expo Center offers 98,000 sqm of rentable space, consisting of 11 exhibition halls. It is owned by World Trade Center Istanbul, which is part of the World Trade Centers Association's global network.

Press and media contact

Ms Barbara Weizsäcker, EMECA General Secretary

Tel. +32 25357250

press@emeca.eu

www.emeca.eu