• Global Exhibitions Day (GED) highlights exhibitions as the driving force behind the Marketplaces of the future with emphasis on Evolving Customer Experience
• Renewed Focus on Innovation, Emerging Industries and Economies, and Hiring as Businesses Return to Normalcy

Paris – 31 May 2023: Global Exhibitions Day (GED), the annual celebration of the exhibition industry, will take place on 7 June 2023. This year’s GED theme, “We Run the Meeting Places and Marketplaces for Everyone,” underscores the pivotal role of global exhibitions in shaping the marketplaces for customers of the future. With an unwavering commitment to emerging industries and evolving customer experiences, the industry is at the forefront of driving innovation, fostering connections, and creating value for businesses in their quest for new customers.

In-person events have seen a strong comeback all around the world as industries and communities have reunited after the challenges of the global pandemic. The global exhibitions industry is scaling up to meet demand, with investors and customers pushing the sector to grow and evolve. While the business model of exhibitions was challenged during the lockdowns, it has proven both its resilience and value proposition. GED 2023 will showcase the industry’s ability to adapt to the evolving landscape by creating marketplaces, leveraging digitalisation and delivering enhanced value in the pursuit of new customers.

Facilitated by UFI, in collaboration with the world’s leading exhibitions organisers Clarion, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa Markets, and RX; GED 2023 promises to be a day of advocacy, showcasing the businesses and people that run the meeting and marketplaces for everyone, and highlighting the transformative power of exhibitions globally in shaping the future industries and economies for our future audience.

“Bringing our communities together and providing valuable connections sits at the heart of what Clarion does.    It is fantastic to see how resilient the industry has proven to be and how much it has been able to adapt in recent times. Clarion’s commitment to innovation is paramount as we explore fresh event formats and cutting-edge digital experiences. We do this with a singular purpose to meet the evolving needs of our communities and empower them to forge even deeper connections that drive economies forward.  This is evident with our targeted acquisitions in the 1-2-1 event space and our expansion into digital, data and marketing service platforms that accelerate, enhance and provide unrivalled experiences for customers to thrive in today’s evolving world.” – Lisa Hannant, Group CEO, Clarion Events

“At Comexposium, we are determined to continue innovating and reinventing events, and are delighted to see that our events, strengthened by an omnichannel presence, continue to grow our communities. Once again this year, we have reinforced the power of our brands with new events (Vinexpo in Singapore, Imcas in Thailand), as well as new partnerships (Retail Big Show with NRF). This development goes hand in hand with the transformation of our business towards greater eco-responsibility and our attention to the environmental footprint of our sector. Global Exhibitions Day encourages us to foster collaborations and create experiences that meet the expectations and needs of our audience, with the support of our high-quality teams and the leadership of our brands.” – Renaud Hamaide, CEO, Comexposium

“Global Exhibitions Day allows us to recognize, celebrate and amplify the pivotal role of the exhibition industry in facilitating meaningful connections and interactive moments for our customers and communities. At Emerald, our top priority is to embrace innovation and transformation as drivers of our business model as everything we do revolves around meeting the evolving needs of our customers. This, combined with our efforts to seamlessly integrate the power of Emerald’s content, connections, and commerce businesses to create dynamic, 365-day marketplaces, enables us to offer even greater value to buyers and sellers alike in both the wholesale and consumer sectors,” – Hervé Sedky, President and CEO, Emerald.

“Exhibitions play a pivotal role in shaping marketplaces of the future. In addition to facilitating €500 billion annually in business sales, the exhibitions industry is a catalyst for innovation, creating a platform for customers to explore and interact with innovative products, technologies, and services, which enabling them to stay ahead in an ever-evolving world. Face-to-face experiences are irreplaceable; they create a fertile ground where ideas come to life, where products can be seen, touched, and tested, and where relationships are built and nurtured. At Informa Markets, our top priority is to maximise the opportunity we provide our customers, leveraging digital tools and data  to add productivity and efficiency to the magic of the in-person experience, creating value for our customers, so that they can create value for their communities. Together, we are building a vibrant ecosystem that accelerates global trade, drives innovation and propels industries forward.” – Patrick Martell, CEO, Informa Markets & COO, Informa Plc

“Last year we launched the RX Customer Mindset Tracking Study across four markets, the UK, USA, France and China. Reaching out to our exhibitors and visitors in this way, twice a year, every year, informs our actions going forward and ensures we are delivering genuine business value to our customers across all of our world-leading events.  78% of those last surveyed told us trade shows offer them something unique, an environment that cannot be created elsewhere and that’s what we do best – we build businesses for our customers.  When we meet in person we are energised by our connections and the ability to see, hear, touch, smell and test drive the products on display. The sheer efficiency and economy of meeting with so many people, in one place, at one time, to learn, buy, sell and network is unsurpassed.  Our events are where the magic happens, and Global Exhibitions Day is the time to celebrate our great industry and the pivotal role we all play in building communities.” – Hugh Jones, CEO, RX

“On this Global Exhibitions Day, we invite you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary comeback of the exhibitions industry, a remarkable story of resilience, transformation, and triumph. With the overarching theme, ‘We Run the Meeting Places and Marketplaces for Everyone,’ exhibitions have emerged as the driving force that propels economies, fosters connections, and ignites innovation. From zero to hero, our industry has raced out of the pandemic slump, defying all odds and confirming the strength of our business model. The exhibitions industry has not only weathered the storm but has emerged stronger than ever before. Our purpose has been reignited, and our colleagues have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, going above and beyond to serve our customers. We have witnessed the indomitable spirit of exhibitors, organisers, suppliers, and attendees who have collectively played a pivotal role in reigniting economic growth and shaping the post-pandemic world. Join us as we celebrate the exhibitions industry’s remarkable resurgence and its profound impact on industries and communities worldwide.” – Michael Duck, UFI President

To learn more about Global Exhibitions Day, please visit the website.

Interviews available through contacts below.

About Clarion Events: Clarion Events, founded in 1947, is one of world’s leading event organisers with over 1600 employees in 50 offices globally, delivering market-leading products across the electronics, gaming, energy, security and defence, public safety, and technology sectors. Clarion was acquired by The Blackstone Group in September 2017. For more information, please visit https://clarionevents.com.

About Comexposium: The Comexposium Group is one of the leading event organisers worldwide, creating events that bring communities together to discover and explore businesses, passions and interests. Comexposium organises more than 150 professional and general public events, covering more than 10 sectors of activity. The group connects 48,000 exhibitors and 3.5 million visitors, 365 days a year. In addition to its events, Comexposium creates experiences, as well as opportunities for individuals to meet, enabling communities to connect throughout the year, through an effective and targeted omni-channel approach. For more information, please visit https://www.comexposium.com.

About Informa Markets: Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and communities to trade, innovate and grow. We connect buyers and sellers around the globe, across more than a dozen verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, and provide them with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

About Emerald: Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit www.emeraldx.com. 

About RX (Reed Exhibitions): RX is in the business of building businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate the power of face to face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at approximately 400 events in 22 countries across 42 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit www.rxglobal.com.

About UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry: UFI is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents more than 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its 60 national and regional association members. More than 820 member organisations in 85+ countries around the world are presently signed up as members. Over 900 international trade fairs proudly bear the UFI approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities. For more information, please contact: UFI Headquarters: Email: media@ufi.org Tel: +33 (0)1 46 39 75 00 or www.ufi.org

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Paris/Frankfurt, 23 May 2023: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, AIPC (The International Association of Convention Centres), and ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association) announce the continuation of their strategic G3 partnership, which has proved highly valuable to the entire business events industry and governments globally.

The strategic partnership was formed in 2019, with the aim to facilitate collaboration and generate more comprehensive and better aligned benefits for the three associations’ respective members.

The alliance launched a program of exploring exchange and reciprocity in four primary areas: educational content, research, standards and advocacy. Initial alignment happened across the respective research projects. Also, the organisations opened their respective global main events to members from all three organisations to drive exchange across industry verticals.

Beginning in 2020, the global pandemic changed the priorities – and the focus shifted towards supporting the industry with global guidance and good practice reports. This resulted in the publications of “Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Event”, “Good Practice Guide: Convention and Exhibition Centres as Temporary Vaccination Centres”, and the white paper “Business Events are the Fast Track to Recovery”.

These advocacy initiatives provided G3 members and policymakers across the world with resources to emphasize the value of the business events industry and their role in fast-tracking economic recovery on a global scale.

With the pandemic chapter closed, the three organisations have reviewed the previous work, and decided to continue and strengthen the collaboration. AIPC, ICCA and UFI will align along the key areas of advocacy and standards, research, professional education, and networking. By joining forces, the three global associations will increase their impact in encouraging, supporting and recognising excellence in the business events industry.

“During COVID, we demonstrated both the value and the impact our partnership has. Given the upcoming challenges for our industry, especially around sustainability, there has never been more need for collaboration like the G3 – only by working together, we will continue to grow”, said Greg O’Dell, AIPC President.

“Our industry is committed to promoting legacy, sustainability, innovation, and education. By strengthening the G3 Partnership, we are sending out a clear signal to both the global industry and the policymakers, that we are stronger when we work together. I look forward to reinforcing a successful collaboration with UFI and AIPC,” shared Marta Gomes, President of the ICCA Board.

“In an ever more challenging environment, good, constructive collaboration is the best way forward. That is why collaboration is such a core element of UFI’s genetic code. As the three global trade associations for the events sector, AIPC, ICCA, and UFI will build on the achievements since 2019, and continue to deepen the joint efforts – for the benefit of all the members of the associations, as well as for the global events industry as a whole”, says Michael Duck, UFI President.

END

About ICCA – The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is a global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry. Founded in 1963, ICCA specialises in the international association meetings sector; offering unrivalled data, education, communication channels, as well as business development and networking opportunities. Today, ICCA is one of the most prominent organisations in – and advocates for – the world of international meetings. The newly-launched ICCA Association Community offers associations across the world education, connections, tools and resources to help them organise more effective and successful meetings.

About AIPC – The International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) is the industry association for professional convention and exhibition centre managers worldwide. AIPC is committed to encouraging and recognizing excellence in convention centre management, while at the same time providing the tools to achieve such high standards through its research, educational and networking programs.

About UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry: UFI is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents more than 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its 60 national and regional association members. More than 820 member organisations in 85+ countries around the world are presently signed up as members. Over 900 international trade fairs proudly bear the UFI approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities.

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