04 & 05 November 2025
Halls 1, 2, 4 & 6, IFEMA, Madrid
05 & 06 November 2025
Halls 8 & 10, IFEMA, Madrid
04 & 05 November 2025
Halls 1, 2, 4 & 6, IFEMA, Madrid
05 & 06 November 2025
Halls 8 & 10, IFEMA, Madrid
June 3, 2020 – 3.2 million total jobs generated directly and indirectly, 137 million square meters of exhibition space, approximately five million exhibitors, and 303 million visitors are some of the impressive figures generated by the trade fair sector.
With the aim of reinforcing their value, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) dedicates International Trade Fair Day to emphasizing their importance as drivers of economic reconstruction after the COVID-19 crisis. Thus, it highlights their role as an exceptional showcase for presenting products and services and offering opportunities to generate business, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, which represent the backbone of any economy and for which face-to-face events are a leading sales channel.
The Easyfairs Group, a Belgian multinational that organizes 220 events in 17 countries and generated revenues exceeding €171 million in the 2018-2019 fiscal year, joins the messages of Global Exhibitions Day (GED2020), a celebration commemorated simultaneously in nearly 90 countries.
In this regard, Matt Benyon, the group’s regional CEO, states: “The contribution of trade fairs to the global economy should not be underestimated, with a total business turnover of €275 billion as a result of their exhibition activity. By bringing qualified buyers into face-to-face contact with suppliers, events will play an important role in stimulating business and helping to rebuild the economy after the coronavirus pandemic.”
It’s worth noting that Easyfairs has decided to play an active role in the fight against COVID-19 and has made its facilities in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden available to local and national authorities. It has made its venues at Flanders Expo, Antwerp Expo, and Namur Expo in Belgium available to host academic exams in May and June. In Sweden, several spaces have also been adapted to assist with COVID-19 testing.
More than 32,000 trade fairs are held each year. According to UFI, €251 billion in trade sales are generated annually across the various business sectors that attend these shows, and an exhibitor can assume that for every euro they invest, they will achieve a return of €2 during the event and €8 during the post-event period.
Thus, face-to-face events are the fastest way to reconnect with the market, as they showcase new trends, innovations, and ideas brought by the most cutting-edge companies.
Regarding Spain, the Spanish Association of Trade Fairs (AFE) estimates the economic contribution generated by the trade fair industry at €5 billion annually. Regrettably, the COVID-19 crisis has led to the cancellation of nearly 100 trade fairs in our country. Once the pandemic is over, the trade fair sector will provide a meeting place for entire industries, at the regional, national, and international levels.
MetalMadrid and Composites Spain, like Empack and Logistics & Automation, are trade fairs part of the Easyfairs group and will be held at IFEMA this fall.
MetalMadrid is preparing its 13th edition, strengthening the presence of Composites Spain, the only trade fair in Spain dedicated to composite materials and their applications. It will be held on September 30th and October 1st.
Empack 2020 will place greater emphasis on robotics as a key element for achieving the best results in the packaging sector. The Packaging Innovations area will continue to showcase the latest in POS and designer packaging. It will be held on November 25th and 26th.
At Logistics & Automation, automation and all technologies that help improve efficiency will be the main focus. It will be held as part of Empack 2020.
About Easyfairs
It currently implements 220 events in 17 countries (Algeria, Belgium, China, Denmark, the Emirates, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and manages 10 event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen-Brussels North, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Venray, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Stockholm).
The company employs more than 750 people and generated revenues exceeding €171 million in the 2018-2019 financial year.
Easyfairs strives to be the most adaptable, agile, and effective player in the events industry by employing committed people, deploying the best marketing and technology tools, and developing strong brands.
In 2018, Easyfairs was named Belgium’s “Company of the Year®” and in 2019, Deloitte named it “Best Managed Company.” The company is ranked 18th on the list of the world’s leading trade fair companies.
Visit the future with Easyfairs and learn more at www.easyfairs.com.
Press Contact:
For Easyfairs Belgium: Olivier Lechien olechien@ellocom.com
For Spain and Portugal: Alison Church alison.church@easyfairs.com
