The global exhibitions industry was found to be on a high in the first half of 2024, with UFI’s report expecting a continuation of the trend. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Sergey Ryzhov
The global exhibition industry is on track to achieve record revenues
globally in 2024, moving beyond the post-pandemic recovery that was
achieved at the end of 2023 on average, according to the latest edition
of the Global Exhibition Barometer report by UFI, the Global Association
of the Exhibition Industry.
Globally, 48% of companies declare that they plan to increase their
workforce in the coming 6 months, while another 48% declare that they
will keep current staff numbers stable.
The level of operations has picked up on a global level in the first
half of 2024, and this trend will be expected to continue in the coming
year – 43% of companies have declared an intention to develop operations
in new countries and regions.
Revenues are expected to maintain a steady climb of approximately 17% year over year.
There is also a universal consensus that AI will affect the industry,
with 90% of companies stating this, and a growing share of businesses
reporting that they actively utilise this new technology.
“This edition of UFI’s flagship Barometer research shows how this
growth translates into new jobs in our sector as well as in expansion
plans from the majority of businesses – aiming both at new business
activities as well as new geographies,” said Kai Hattendorf, managing
director and CEO at UFI.
“Against a complex global backdrop, the global exhibition industry is
bullish about its short and mid-term prospects... The barometer also
shows how 19 key exhibition markets and regions match up both against
their respective regions and against the global averages.”