Statement by Giovanni Laezza, Chairman of AEFI: The Italian Exhibition and Trade Fair Association, on the impact of Coronavirus on the Italian exhibition system.

Italian exhibitions are a very important tool for our economy. Every year the Italian sector involves around 200,000 exhibitors and 20 million visitors, generating business worth 60 billion euro and giving rise to 50% of the exports of the companies participating in them. Significant numbers that grow if we also consider the peripherals such as transport, accommodation and food service.

Globally, according to UFI data, in 2018 the 32,000 exhibitions generated an economic impact of 275 billion euro, contributing 167.2 billion to world GDP. A context in which our country ranks in fourth place, with a major role in the Italian economy.

With the ongoing health crisis, it is currently impossible to estimate the economic impact that the coronavirus epidemic will have, in that the Government’s measures have been in place for two days and those of the Regions are constantly changing. It is very difficult to predict how the situation will evolve and how long it will last, and it is difficult to predict the effects on an international level because we must not forget that the problem is not only confined to Italy.

As an Association, we are clearly aware of how essential it is to adopt all the necessary measures to protect public health and we are ready to implement them. All our Associates are carefully following the health regulations of local and national authorities.

Despite organisational difficulties, we hope that most of the events currently cancelled or postponed can be rescheduled in the coming months, so as to contribute to limiting the economic damage. In due course, we will work in conjunction with all the other stakeholders involved for a new “calendar”.

We have opened a dialogue with the Institutions to understand how to best manage this emergency also on the economic front.