The year 2025 undoubtedly has a very special dimension for theUFI: the global trade fair industry association celebrates its centenary. And what better way to start this anniversary than with a growth outlook? The global barometer published by UFI on 11 February forecasts an overall increase in revenues of 18% this year. This trend is in line with that for 2024 (+16%), a year for which UFI forecast record results. On a global scale, the volume of exhibition space sold last year was significantly higher (+9%) than before the crisis.
The 34th edition of this "Global Exhibition Barometer" once again boasts a global dimension. The report is representative of 390 participating companies in 56 countries. There are, of course, differences between regions and countries. In France, growth is less pronounced than the global average. This is borne out by the comparison with 2019 (-2%), which still needs to be made up this year. However, UFI's data specific to the French market reveals some very encouraging trends. In particular, the steady rise in revenues generated or expected: +7% between 2024 and 2024, and +5% this year. More than half of the professionals surveyed report an increase in business in France: 50% for the 2nd half of 2024, and 55% for the start of this year. While the size of the French sample (12 responses) weakens the reliability of the data, MICE players can take heart from the fact that none of the respondents are planning to reduce their workforce over the next six months. Overall, the industry's workforce is expected to remain constant for 83% of those surveyed, and recruitment is expected in 17% of cases.
Finally, when it comes to the issues most feared by the industry, it may come as a surprise - given the recent political upheavals - that the national economic context is not as much in the spotlight as it is on a global scale. In fact, it is the international stakes that French MICE players fear the most (see below).
Paris Region trade shows lead the comeback
Coincidentally, in the wake of this year's 34th UFI barometerthe Paris Ile-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry also has its figures. This is an opportunity to confirm certain trends identified by the centenary association, and to refine them geographically. The now traditional Barometer of trade show activity in the Paris Region confirms that pre-Covid levels have yet to be reached, even though the return is fast approaching. " After encouraging signs of recovery in 2022, the return to normal activity continued in 2023. 2024 confirms this trend, despite a slowdown in the second half of the year. "confirm the authors of the report. Comparing 2024 and 2018, the figures are more or less down depending on the criteria studied: -6.4% for the net surface area occupied by stands, -2.4% for exhibitor attendance, and -16.8% for visitor attendance. And all this despite the healthy annual growth rates posted in 2024 by the various components of the market.
But the trade shows is the top performer in this CCI Barometer. Its authors point out: " In the trade show segment, visitor and exhibitor participation was higher than in 2018. (...) "The net surface area occupied by stands was still lower than in 2018. 99 % of trade show activity was equivalent to that recorded in 2018." . Repeat (or even accelerate): a good resolution for 2025!
