The sixth annual Global Exhibitions Day, which took place on June 2, spread the message that “exhibitions are the fastest of fast tracks to economic recovery” across the globe. GED 2021 demonstrated the unity of the industry and proved that exhibitions create platforms for growth and recovery, whilst also instilling confidence in others to participate in organized events that prioritize safety and success in equal measure.
It’s clear that 2021 is a pivotal year for the global exhibition industry. Exhibitions generate €493 billion (US$551 billion) in business sales each year. In addition, visitors and exhibitor expenses generate a total of €299 billion (US$334 billion) across the exhibition industry value chain (organizers, venues and service providers) and in tourism-related activities (accommodation, food and travel).
Worldwide lockdowns are ending, making it possible to reconnect again on the show floor. Markets are starting to reopen around the world and events are taking place again in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. The industry is ready to be better than ever!
From videos to meetings, from webinars to hybrid events, from webcasts to social campaigns and virtual contests, and more, people and organizations from around 110 countries/regions participated in GED 2021.
The global reach online is at the same level as in previous years (final figures detailing the online reach will be available in the GED documentation in a few weeks). Over the course of the GED 2021 campaign, there was a real appetite across the industry to meet again, as people participated live webinars and hybrid events for GED, while many more activities celebrating the people and power of exhibitions took place throughout the industry, leading up to and on the day.
Anbu Varathan (pictured left), UFI president, says, “Participation in this year’s Global Exhibitions Day has been amazing! GED 2021 definitely is a unification of the industry, presenting the opportunity to share hope and optimism, and to focus on the important role of exhibitions in reconnecting and rebuilding communities and economies. We’ve seen thousands of event professionals celebrating across the globe, and saying how proud they are to be part of the industry and how much they value face-to-face events. This memorable day raises awareness, as we demonstrate our passion, purpose and power!”
Much like the exhibitions and events that the industry hosts, GED is a day for showcasing our industry, whilst also having fun and sharing stories. Some of the most prominent activities during GED 2021 were the “voices of the exhibition industry” quote cards, GED celebration videos and people sharing their memorable moments in exhibitions.
“This year’s GED celebrates recovery and resilience. The engagement of event professionals has put a spotlight on both the size and passion of our industry. It’s also been an opportunity to see the creativity, diversity and multicultural nature of exhibitions,” says Kai Hattendorf (pictured right), UFI’s CEO. “We are business event professionals, and the best prepped sector in the world to set up and run exhibitions and business events safely, with top-class procedures in place. Exhibitions are ready for you, and are better than ever!”
The key messages from GED 2021 will continue to be shared throughout the year, and the next Global Exhibitions Day will take place on June 1, 2022.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM GED 2021
ASIA-PACIFIC
BITEC shared a social media campaign to “celebrate the power of exhibitions, now more than ever”
BIEC Bengaluru shared their campaign video
China Trade News published an article also available on UFI’s WeChat account
EEAA held the Global Exhibitions Day Summit at the ICC Sydney
FAKT Exhibitions Pakistan shared a video on social media
Indian Exhibition Industry Association organised a special webinar on the occasion of Global Exhibitions Day – and shared their social media campaign “Together we will Win & Voices of the Exhibition Industry”
Informa Markets India shared their social media campaign “Voices of the Exhibition Industry”, #ThisIsMe social media campaign and published a dedicated press release
HKCEC shared their social media campaign.
Messe Nanjing shared a video
Shanghai Exhibition & Convention Industry Association shared a wonderful video of their team celebrating the day
VNU Asia Pacific, Bangkok Thailand, shared a social media campaign
EUROPE
Agility Fairs & events shared a video with the Rise Again campaign
AUMA published an article online entitled “Exhibitions are ready for you” as part of their social media campaign.
AFE Spanish Trade Fairs Association shared a video of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto in support of GED.
Baku Convention Center interviewed the leading organiser of exhibitions and conferences in Azerbaijan
Comexposium shared their Voices of Exhibition campaign
Clarion Events celebrated GED on their social media
Cosmoprof shared a social media post to celebrate Global Exhibitions Day!
EEIA published a position paper in honour of Global Exhibitions Day
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) of the European Commission promoted internationalisation of smes and startups through their participation in tradeshows on a video
EMECA shared their “Voices of the Exhibitions Industry” quotes
Excel London shared a social media campaign with portrait of their team explaining why they love this fantastic industry!
Expocast launched a challenge with this simple question: how many exhibition industry acronyms do you know? and shared a video
Expoplatform shared a video and their GED social media campaign: “Voices of the Exhibition Industry”
Fira Barcelona published a media release “Fira Barcelona is celebrating Global Exhibitions Day to coincide with its return to on-site activity” and a video
European-based IELA shared their creative “RiseAgain” social media campaign encouraging events professionals to take selfies with the sun rise beyond them!
Informa Markets shared a video celebrating GED and shared it during their internal awards ceremony
MTP Grupa shared a GED celebration video.
Reed Exhibitions shared a video on social media and created a fabulous story, showcasing customers from 4 of their recent events, and pushed it on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and twitter:
RUEF and Russian Convention Bureau united to celebrate GED during a breakfast at Expoforum in St Petersburg
The ETT Club created a social media campaign entitled “Spurring Innovation Rebuilding Economies”
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
ADNEC promoted the safe return of exhibitions via a social media campaign
CTICC shared their #GED2021 social media campaign to create awareness.
dmg events shared a video showcasing live events that took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre
New Horizon shared their social media campaign as part of “Voices of the Exhibition Industry”
Qatar Business Events Coporation shared their social media campaign and pictures of their team and GED 21 letters on top of their building
Riyadh Exhibitions Company Ltd promoted unity through a social media campaign
AMERICAS
AIFEC created a social media campaign with a strong message of support for Global Exhibitions Day
AFIDA held a live stream on YouTube and Facebook discussing the importance of exhibitions and trade fairs
Corferias submitted a #GED2021 campaign on social media, and launched their trade show calendar on Global Exhibitions Day with high-level representatives from the public and private sectors
Diversified Communications celebrated GED on social media
Exhibit City News published an article “Global Exhibition Day to Feature ECA Legislative Action Day June 1-2”
Exhibitions Conferences Alliance – held their Legislative Action Day, advocating in digital meetings with US lawmakers.
Emerald supported GED2021 via social media posts
FexpoCruz shared a video
GL Events Chile shared a video
Meetings Panama scheduled an Instagram live stream involving UFI’s Regional Director for Latin America
Messe Frankfurt Argentina shared a video on social media
Reed Exhibitions Brasil shared an inspiring video and Reed Exhibitions USA published their Voices of Exhibition campaign
Rego supported the return of events
Tarsus Group shared Voices of Exhibition on social media
TSNN published an article “GED 2021 Celebrates resiliency and recovery”
By no means is this an exhaustive list; visit globalexhibitionsday.org to see more ways people celebrated GED2021
Key supporters of GED 2021 included AAXO, AEFI, AEO, AFE, AFECA, AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA, AUMA, CAEM, CEFA, CENTREX, CFI, EEAA, EEIA, EFU, EMECA, EXSA, FAIRLINK, FAMAB, HKECIA, ECA, IDFA, IECA, IEIA, IELA, IFES, LECA, MACEOS, MFTA, PCEI, RUEF, SACEOS/SECB, SCEIA, SISO, TEA, TECA, TFOA, UBRAFE and UNIMEV.
