This month, we are releasing two new editions of UFI’s regular global research projects: The biannual “Global Exhibition Industry Barometer” and the new “World Map of Venues”. Research is one of UFI’s four major lines of activity, as since 2015 we have been able to significantly extend and expand the insights we produce for you, our members.

Hundreds of exhibition businesses around the world share insights and data with us twice a year for the barometer. Launched during the financial crisis of 2008, it has become a much cited source of reference, tracking the development of the exhibition industry around the world, with country profiles for all the major markets. No other research provides a similar track record of industry development. Please keep an eye on your inbox later this month for the latest results.

This week, we also release a new edition of the “World Map of Venues”. This is a truly complex endeavour, as it tracks venue developments around the world and then consolidates them into one single, easy to understand set of data. We have been able to access more data than ever before to produce the best sourced world map ever.

In the report, you will see that, globally, one in twenty venues now qualifies as a “mega venue”, providing more than 100,000 sqm of exhibition space. You will see that China now hosts around a quarter of the global exhibition space, leading the USA (with 17%) by quite a margin, with Germany (8%) in third place. Abd you will see that, despite the pandemic, investments into more and better exhibition space have not stopped, but stay ongoing.

As our industry’s global association, reports like these allow us to show the underlying trends in our industry, and to add solid and trusted data to the strategic conversations that are taking place.

By the way – if you want to see one of the new venues that our industry will use going forward – The Dubai Exhibition center, join us in Dubai on March 2 & 3 for the UFI Delegation Visit to the Dubai World Expo.

Kind regards,

Kai Hattendorf
UFI CEO & Managing Director