The data compiled by theUFIthe global association for the exhibition industry, were updated in January. They provide a large-scale snapshot of the main event venues, with country-specific focuses - including France - to give a better understanding of the sector's infrastructure challenges.
And the big winner of this World Map of Exhibition Venues is none other than theAsia. " For the first time, the Asia-Pacific region is home to the largest number of exhibition spaces in the world (16.6 million m²), closely followed by Europe (15.8 million m²). "stress the authors of the study. Europe nevertheless remains in the lead in terms of the number of sites (505), ahead of Asia-Pacific (432) and North America (339). Overall, UFI lists 43.1 million m² of exhibition space worldwide, spread over 1,432 sites. Small" venues, under 20,000 m², logically make up the majority (59%) of these MICE addresses. At the other end of the spectrum, 83 XXL sites exceed the symbolic 100,000 m² mark. These market behemoths are shared almost equally between Europe (39) and Asia (38).
Honour to the new leader, Asia, for a regional ranking in which the China has a virtual monopoly. And this is true no matter how you look at it... The Middle Kingdom leaves only crumbs for its neighbours: only 4 of the 38 XXL spaces (>100,000 m²) escape Chinese territory. They can be found in Thailandin Indiain South Korea and Singapore. All in all, the China accounts for 81.2% of event space in the region. Far, far ahead of India and Japan... It should be noted that the three largest sites in the region are the China Import & Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) of Guangzhouthe National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghaiand the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre. With surface areas of 504,000 m², 470,000 m² and 400,000 m² respectively. Add to this the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin (4th) and the Hannover Fair (5th) and you have the world's Top 5 event venues in terms of indoor floor space, with a decidedly Chinese accent!
UFI World Map of Exhibition Venues
A glance at the Top 40 of this World Map of Exhibition Venues shows that, once you get past the Chinese sensation, Europe is holding its own. Mainly thanks to the historic stronghold of the Old Continent: Germany. Ranked third in the world by country with 7.3% of venues, Germany is supported by Italy (4th) and France (5th) in maintaining Europe's status on the MICE scene. The top 5 European venues are largely dominated by Germany. France, meanwhile, maintains two sites in the top 10: Paris Nord Villepinte (6th with 250,000 m²) and Porte de Versailles (212 545 m²). With 139,019 m², theEurexpo in Lyon ranks 3rd in France and 20th in Europe. There are 2,179,725 m² of event venues made in France, spread over 94 sites. The difference between France and Germany is largely based on the profile of these venues, and therefore their clearly distinct positioning. Whereas Germany relies on XXL infrastructures (10 sites of over 100,000 m²), France favours smaller structures.
