The European exhibition industry facilitates trade at all levels by enabling businesses to build trust in face-to-face interactions and by providing high level B2B and B2C meetings which lead to new deals. 

With most worldwide leading exhibitions taking place in Europe, European trade fairs attract businesses from within the EU and all around the world. 

They provide a maximum number of business opportunities in one place, enabling EU companies to avoid travelling outside the EU to meet potential business partners and customers. 

Companies encounter a global offer of goods and services in one single international event on their doorstep. 

At the same time, European exhibition organisers bring European exhibition quality outside Europe by organising trade fairs worldwide. This supports the internationalisation of businesses into global growth markets. 

Thanks to trade agreements, imports and exports have increased over recent years, helping European companies access new opportunities worldwide. This is the reason why we need open markets and rule-based multilateralism. Fair and stable conditions are also key to attract buyers from third countries and enable European exhibition organisers to access and invest in emerging markets.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Europe’s economy, representing 99% of all companies operating in the EU. SMEs represent the highest share of our exhibitors.

European exhibitions represent the most efficient and cost-effective marketing tool for SMEs. We help them build more business contacts in a limited period and at minimal cost. We provide a platform for their potential business partners and customers to experience their products and services. 

European exhibitions enable SMEs to access new markets and generate growth outside the EU by offering them the internationally leading sector exhibitions at their doorstep where the most influential international buyers are keen to discover their products. Our industry also paves the way for SMEs to access growing markets worldwide by organising exhibitions abroad and taking European companies to these target regions.

By empowering SMEs to develop their activity both within and outside Europe, our industry represents an important asset for them to increase their internationalisation and access third markets. 

While we welcome the European Union’s strategy aimed at helping SMEs expand their business outside the EU, we suggest to increase funding to also support exhibition organisers who provide the platforms where companies take their first steps into internationalisation. 

Considering their expertise on the field, exhibition organisers should be included into the eligible proposers for all relevant programmes. Funding for targeted services like tailor made exhibition matchmaking and hosted buyers programmes would increase the positive effects for SMEs to expand their business.

Sustainability is integrated into all our activities. Sustainability and, in a larger sense Corporate Social Responsibility, is a must for our industry and our customers. 

Most of the European venues and exhibitions hold certification. The venues invest into refurbishing to make them more energy efficient. Many generate their own energy and/or use renewable energy. They also strive for more efficiency in day-to-day activities by improving logistics for set-up and dismantling, and by reducing waste and increasing recycling following an overarching goal of limiting their environmental footprint in everything they do. Meeting multiple business partners in one location substantially reduces business travel for exhibitors and visitors compared to individual encounters which saves a considerable amount of time.

Exhibitions encompass all sectors of business, government and civil society, as a large value chain of partners and stakeholders work together to organise them. With such a wide audience and reach, the exhibition industry can have 
a meaningful collective impact.