NEWS

Travel and Tourism industry Unite for a Sustainable Future

  In April 2024, association representatives from Europe’s travel and tourism sector, both business and leisure, convened in Rhodes, Greece, to sign a Joint Declaration. This landmark agreement outlines a shared roadmap to advance sustainability in the tourism sector. Key priorities include advancing decarbonisation, promoting collaboration across the sector and… read more

COMMISSIONER TZITZIKOSTAS AND MEPS ENGAGE WITH THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT FUTURE

    Commissioner Tzitzikostas and MEPs Engage with the Travel and Tourism Industry for a Sustainable and Resilient Future [Brussels, 10 December 2024] Today, 10 leading European travel and tourism organisations convened in the European Parliament for a high-level meeting with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, MEP Daniel… read more

INDUSTRY SENDS CLEAR POLICY MESSAGE PRE-ELECTIONS

Brussels celebrated its Presidency of the Council of the European Union by convening EU Dialogue: Driving Positive Change In the Meetings Industry. This was a City Destinations Alliance / European Exhibitions Industry Alliance (EEIA) / Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) co-hosted advocacy event designed to mirror the same message within policy circles of the European… read more

THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MANIFESTO - PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT EU LEADERSHIP

Conclusions from the EU Dialogue conference on the Meetings industry, April 2024, Brussels   With this Manifesto, we call on national and regional authorities, the newly elected members of the European Parliament and the next European Commission to work with the meetings’ sector in areas such as the added value of meetings to the visitor economy, the European… read more

GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS DAY 2024

Happy Global Exhibitions Day 2024! Celebrate with us the 9th Global Exhibitions Day. This year's theme: "Exhibitions are catalysts to sustainable futures".   THE GLOBAL EXHIBITION INDUSTRY IS OF MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Exhibitions, commonly referred to as trade shows or fairs, have a simple purpose: bringing industries together to build community and create supply… read more

THE EU BUSINESS HUB - Japan and the Republic of Korea - JOIN THE LAUNCHING EVENT!

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝘂𝗯 – 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁! Date: May 28th, 10:00-11:30h Format: Online 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁? The EU Business Hub Launching Event aims to introduce the stakeholders in Europe, Japan and Korea to the programme and highlight the benefits of the programme, unveiling the first missions’ calendar. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲? Representatives of… read more

EU DIALOGUE: A SUCCESSFUL EVENT AROUND THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY

On 17 April, visit.brussels, in partnership with JMIC (Joint Meetings Industry Council), CityDNA (City Destinations Alliance), and EEIA (European Exhibition Industry Alliance), hosted the EU DIALOGUE: DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY. Organised as part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, over 180 industry professionals and… read more

EU TOURISM: RESILIENCE IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS ERA

Travel and tourism industry unites to tackle climate change [Rhodes, 9 April 2024] Association representatives from the European travel and tourism sector (business and leisure)[1] met in Rhodes, Greece, to sign a landmark declaration promising decisive action towards more sustainable travel and tourism. The joint declaration will serve as a roadmap to foster… read more

STATEMENT ON THE UNFOLDING SITUATION IN ISRAEL

EMECA fully supports the statement issued by Joint industry Meetings Council (JMIC), the global association for the meetings industry: JMIC Statement on the Unfolding Situation in Israel Acts of terror should have no place in our world. The killings of innocent civilians by Hamas are unacceptable, and this goes against the core of our industry's purpose. The global… read more

POSITION PAPER - REVIEW OF EU LEGISLATION ON DESIGN PROTECTION 2023

EEIA once more draws attention to the review of EU Legislation on Design Protection.  EEIA calls for Exhibition Certificates’ recognition by EUIPO by adopting a modern definition of business exhibitions and trade fairs. Download the POSITION PAPER. read more

EMECA AND UFI CONTINUE AND INTENSIFY COLLABORATION

EMECA and UFI Presidents intend to continue and intensify collaboration. Meeting at Messe Stuttgart on challenges and opportunities of the business events sector. EMECA (European Major Exhibition Centres Association) President Roland Bleinroth welcomed UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) President Michael Duck at Messe Stuttgart premises for an informal… read more

EMECA Best Exhibition Launch Award - BELA 2023

The National Outdoor Expo 2022 organised by Raccoon Media Group and held at the NEC Birmingham is the winner of the first BELA Award 2023   EMECA has awarded Raccoon Media Group the BELA - Best Exhibition Launch Award 2023 for its outstanding achievement with the National Outdoor Expo 2022. EMECA created the BELA Best New Exhibition Launch Award on the occasion of… read more

UPDATE 2023-05-15: EEIA PUBLISHES STATE AID LIST IN CONTEXT OF RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE

The European Exhibition Industry Alliance publishes a list of member states measures approved under the European State Aid Temporary Framework in context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The document lists support from the EU and European governments to households and businesses in general and can be downloaded here: EEIA European State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework… read more

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AT FIERA MILANO

Collaboration between Fiera Milano and EUIPO aimed at raising awareness of intellectual property issues among companies   Milan, 04 April 2023. The trade in counterfeit products constitutes one of the most significant criminal phenomena facing companies and, in particular, impacts those who invest in creativity, innovation and research.   For this reason, Fiera Milano… read more

THE EUIPO SIGNS COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS WITH EMECA AND UFI

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has recently signed collaboration agreements with EMECA, the European Major Exhibition Centres Association and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.  With these agreements, the EUIPO consolidates its connection with exhibition venues and event organisers across the entire value chain, reaching out to… read more

GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS DAY 2022

The 2022 Global Exhibitions Day highlights the irreplaceable value of physical exhibitions and face-to-face business events in creating platforms for economic growth, recovery and the digital and green transition, as well as being the perfect occasion to network and meet new people. Meeting in person creates trust, the basis for co-operations and business deals.… read more

TOURISM MANIFESTO - TOWARDS FREE MOVEMENT OF TRAVELLERS WITHIN AND INTO EUROPE

Resilience of the EUDCC System is Critical for EU Tourism Crisis Preparedness The European Tourism Manifesto alliance, the voice of the travel and tourism sector in Europe, welcomes the ongoing progress of the revision of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) Regulation.  While we strongly support countries in their efforts to progressively remove restrictions in the… read more

INTERVIEW "GREEN TRANSITION" - TAGUNGSWIRTSCHAFT WITH BARBARA WEIZSÄCKER

Green Transition "Trade shows can become the driving force toward climate neutrality" By Gwen Kaufmann   Friday, 8th April 2022   If an entire continent plans to stop emitting greenhouse gases, it will trigger a major wave of change. In all industries and sectors of the economy, a development towards climate-protecting production and processes is required. For… read more

TOURISM MANIFESTO - Position on the European Commission’s New Regulation on EU Digital COVID Certificate

70 public and private travel and tourism organisations propose several amendments to the new EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation with the aim to secure the freedom of movement across the continent and guarantee harmonised rules when the Certificate is in use. The European Tourism Manifesto alliance, the voice of the travel and tourism sector in Europe, welcomes… read more

EEIA STATEMENT ON THE UKRAINE CRISIS

The European Exhibition Industry Alliance is proud of Europe’s role and success which has always been intertwined with its unique position as a marketplace for businesses, ideas and people to come together. Trade connects people and the trust gained through face-to-face meetings is equally instilled within the European culture and values. The Treaty on the functioning of the European Union set out clearly the objectives for its Members, among others: to ensure the economic and social progress of their States by common action to eliminate the barriers which divide Europe, to strengthen peace and liberty, to confirm the solidarity which binds Europe and the overseas countries and desiring to ensure the development of their prosperity, in accordance… read more

POSITION PAPER - EU TO OPEN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The European Exhibition Industry welcomes European countries’ lifting internal measures and restrictions on international travel calls for immediate adoption of an updated framework to travel from outside the EU that is fit for purpose expects coordinated implementation of such a framework across all Member States once more encourages the Council and all Member States… read more

EU’s Overseas Trade Fairs 2.0 (OTF 2.0) European pavilions at CES Las Vegas and Arab Health Dubai

The OTF 2.0 Programme kicked off successfully with EU pavilions at CES in Las Vegas and at Arab Health in Dubai. The European Commission funds selected European start-ups and SME’s to export their innovations at exhibitions overseas. The programme will cover 15 shows in 2 years. It is managed by Deloitte and the European Exhibition Industry Alliance’s Sara Lanzilotta is… read more

TOURISM MANIFESTO - Position on the European Commission’s Proposals for Council Recommendations on Intra-EU and International Travel

EEIA is part of the TOURISM MANIFESTO and strongly endorses this Position Paper.   70 travel and tourism organisations express their support to any effort – based on scientific evidence – to keep protecting and ensuring the freedom of movement and avoid a patchwork of diverging national measures within the EU/EEA as well as internationally. In light of the evolving… read more

URGENT CALL FOR A COORDINATED APPROACH TO BUSINESS RELATED TRAVEL

The European Exhibition Industry - welcomes the Commission’s proposals to strengthen coordination of safe travel in the EU and for an updated framework to travel from outside the EU and expects swift adoption implementation - calls for a coordinated approach to swiftly adapt the EU Digital COVID Certificate’s validity and to adopt the unified EU Digital Passenger Locator Form - encourages the Council and all Member States to specifically enable smooth business travel and to protect the safe functioning of the economy and its exhibition platforms for R&D, innovation and trade   Download the latest Position Paper of the European Exhibition Industry Alliance: An urgent call for a coordinated approach to business related travel.   read more

EMECA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PERSON WITH ERIC PHILIPPART

EMECA General Assembly celebrated in person at Jaarbeurs Utrecht EMECA Members restart strong, with packed Q3-Q4 calendars, while overseas exhibitors’ and visitors’ attendance still low Call for facilitating international travel for WHO vaccinated attendees of trade fairs Jaarbeurs Utrecht hosted this autumn’s EMECA General Assembly, the first in-person meeting since the… read more

EEIA MET WITH EUIPO

EEIA welcomed Nicolas Vigneron and Alessandro Corrado from the European  Union Intellectual Property Office in Alicante. We discussed possible collaboration for the promotion of EUIPO’s new tools for SMEs, via webinars, newsletters, exhibitions’ websites. Furthermore, EEIA stressed the need to enshrine the modern definition of professional exhibitions into the EU Design… read more

EEIA SUPPORTS JMIC NET ZERO CARBON EVENTS PLEDGE

Global Events Industry Aligns Behind Climate Targets Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge to be presented at COP26 Global Climate Summit In the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, the global events industry has adopted a comprehensive “Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge” to commit actors in the sector to targets aligned with the Paris Climate… read more

EUROPE’S TRAVEL & TOURISM SECTOR WELCOMES ADOPTION OF “EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE” REGULATION AND URGES SWIFT IMPLEMENTATION

The European Tourism Manifesto alliance of more than 60 travel and tourism organisations warmly welcomes the adoption of the “EU Digital COVID Certificate” Regulation. The Alliance calls on Member States to ensure swift implementation before July to support the restart of the sector in time for the vital summer season, and to restore freedom of movement within the EU and Schengen Area. Less than three months after the publication of the Commission’s proposal, the European Parliament’s LIBE committee and the Council have approved the Regulation on “EU Digital COVID Certificate”. The Alliance recognises this is both positive and necessary to restore freedom of movement: a fundamental principle and one of Europe’s greatest achievements. This tool will… read more

EEIA REPORT ON EUROPEAN STATE AID FOR COVID-19 - UPDATE MAY 2021

​+++ UPDATED LIST MAY 13, 2021 +++ The EEIA has published an updated report on measures taken by European governments to support the exhibition industry through the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The report, first published in March last year, shows support programmes for the exhibition industry specifically, as well as programmes for businesses in general. The report aims to… read more

EUROPE’S EXHIBITION INDUSTRY - WELCOMES EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S GREEN CERTIFICATE PROPOSAL AND COMMON PATH TO SAFE RE-OPENING - DEMANDS SPECIAL FOCUS ON BUSINESS TRAVEL

“EEIA welcomes the European Commission’s legislative proposal to create a Digital Green Certificate to resume safe travel in the EU. We now call upon the European Parliament and the Member States to ensure its quick approval and its swift technical implementation. We also expect that it will be interoperable with other international systems to facilitate travel on a global scale”, says Barbara Weizsäcker, Secretary General. The Digital Green Certificate is planned to be common, interoperable and mutually recognised within the EU, proving that a person has been vaccinated, tested or recovered from a Covid-19 infection. It will be free of charge, non-discriminatory and shall ensure minimum restrictions to travel. Additionally, the communication on a… read more

TOURISM MANIFESTO - TOURISM4RECOVERY: TRAVEL & TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS URGE INVESTMENT IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AS PART OF EU RECOVERY

- Over 60 European organisations call for tourism to be firmly anchored in EU national Recovery and Resilience plans. - European Tourism Manifesto alliance presents list of reforms and investment ideas to support tourism and make EU economies more resilient. - New #Tourism4Recovery campaign launched to support the call and showcase impact of investments in sustainable tourism.   The European Tourism Manifesto alliance, which represents over 60 European travel & tourism stakeholders covering the whole value chain of travel operations across Europe, has called on European governments to include tourism as a strategic part of their national Recovery and Resilience plans. The ‘Call for Action: Accelerate Social and Economic Recovery by Investing… read more

THE EUROPEAN EXHIBITION INDUSTRY WELCOMES EUROPEAN COUNCIL PLAN TO DEVELOP DIGITAL VACCINATION CERTIFICATE AND CALLS UPON EU TOURISM MINISTERS TO SAFELY RESTORE TRAVEL IN A COORDINATED APPROACH

Fragmented travel regulations and restrictions within the EU and globally remain a major barrier for international exhibitions and professional events to resume business. Instead, increasing and speeding-up vaccinations combined with cost-effective rapid testing and intelligent tracing solutions will foster both the protection of health and enable travel within Europe and worldwide and to start the economic recovery.  EU-wide and globally compatible digital health certificates are a key tool to re-establish confidence among travellers, freedom of movement and rebuilding connectivity. Such application should be of use to the entire travel and hospitality chain and include specifically trade fairs and business events for safe and seamless experience.… read more

TOURISM MANIFESTO - EUROPE'S TRAVEL & TOURISM SECTOR CALLS ON EU GOVERNMENTS TO CHART RESTART PLAN IN TIME FOR SUMMER

Over 60 travel and tourism organisations unveil concrete recommendations for re-opening travel & tourism in Europe, including creation of Commission-led Task Force to restore freedom of movement.  The European Tourism Manifesto alliance, a group of more than 60 public and private travel and tourism organisations and the voice of the sector in Europe, today unveiled a series of joint recommendations for EU Member States on how to relaunch travel and tourism in Europe in time for summer 2021. At the heart of the recommendations is the development of an EU roadmap for safely restoring travel once countries emerge from national lockdowns to be developed and implemented in close cooperation with industry and social partners. A dedicated Commission… read more

TOURISM MANIFESTO - CALL FOR ACTION: ACCELERATE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY BY INVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The new Recovery and Resilience Facility, proposed by the European Commission to help the EU rebuild after the pandemic, offers an unprecedented opportunity to support tourism-related reforms to ensure that the sector helps to drive digital and green transitions, and thereby strengthens both economic and social resilience. Following its urgent call to Member States to make tourism a strategic element in their national recovery plans, the European Tourism Manifesto alliance has published a detailed paper presenting a non-exhaustive list of reforms and investment ideas related to travel and tourism that would contribute to making EU countries’ economies more resilient, so we will be better prepared to respond to future opportunities and challenges.… read more

EEIA REPORT ON EUROPEAN STATE AID FOR COVID-19

The EEIA has published an updated report on measures taken by European governments to support the exhibition industry through the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The report, first published in March last year, shows support programmes for the exhibition industry specifically, as well as programmes for businesses in general. The report aims to support lobbying and advocacy… read more

UFI GLOBAL BAROMETER PROVIDES 2020 RESULTS AND 2021 PERSPECTIVES FOR THE EXHIBITION INDUSTRY

26 January 2021 – The impact of COVID-19 in 2020 has been severe, but there are positive signs for 2021 – Industry revenues are expected to double in 2021 compared to 2020, when revenues represented just 28% of 2019 revenues – 54% of companies have had to reduce their workforce, with half of these by more than 25% – 64% are confident that COVID-19 has reinforced the value of face-to-face events, and that the sector will recover quickly – The research provides dedicated profiles for 29 markets and regions   Paris – 26 January 2021: UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the latest edition of its flagship Global Barometer research, which takes the pulse of the industry. Results highlight the severe impact of the… read more

EUROPEAN EXHIBITION INDUSTRY ALLIANCE WELCOMES EU COUNCIL RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS AND VACCINATION DECISIONS AND CALLS FOR SPEEDY IMPLEMENTATION

“EEIA welcomes yesterday’s European Council decisions related to rapid antigen tests and vaccinations. Even though the current situation justifies the current restrictions to contain the infections, Europe should prepare as quickly as possible to support and empower free movement of people, especially for business purposes, in a safe and controlled way”, says Barbara Weizsäcker, Secretary General.  Strengthening the use of rapid antigen tests and the mutual recognition of COVID-19 test results along with accelerating vaccinations will contribute to containing the pandemic and resuming safe and seamless travel in a responsible manner. Furthermore, building a common system of proof for tests and vaccinations is vital.  Therefore, EEIA calls for the… read more

EEIA POSITION PAPER ON DIGITAL VACCINATION CERTIFICATE / IATA TRAVEL PASS

Exhibition Industry supports- Greek initiative for EU digital vaccination certificate - Global solution with IATA Travel pass    EU and global travel regulations still major barrier Fragmented and quickly changing travel restrictions and quarantine/test requirements within the EU and globally remain a major barrier for international exhibitions and professional events to… read more