The World Returns to Trade Shows: Billions in Economic Output and Millions of Jobs

The report prepared by the global exhibitions industry association UFI and Oxford Economics presents a picture of a powerful economic sector. The numbers speak for themselves. Globally, the industry accounts for:

• 317.7 million trade show visitors annually,
• 4.7 million exhibiting companies,
• 138 million square meters of rented exhibition space.

This translates into a substantial economic impact. The industry's global contribution to total economic output reaches €444 billion, while its contribution to global GDP amounts to €227 billion. Equally important, the exhibitions industry supports 4.3 million jobs worldwide.

Europe Remains a Major Exhibition Hub

Europe continues to generate a significant share of this activity. The continent is home to 1.3 million exhibiting companies, and trade shows attract more than 101.7 million visitors annually. The European market generates €131 billion in total economic output, supports 1 million jobs, and contributes €59 billion to European GDP.

Grupa MTP: The Undisputed Leader of the Industry in Poland

How does Poland compare? The country is a strong player, with Poznań setting the pace for the market. Grupa MTP accounts for 51% of the Polish exhibitions market and organized 67 trade fairs last year alone. MTP Poznań EXPO also hosts several hundred congresses, cultural events, and sporting events each year, attracting approximately 1.5 million visitors annually.

More Than Exhibition Booths: How Grupa MTP Operates

Both the exhibitions industry and Grupa MTP have long expanded beyond the traditional understanding of trade fairs. While flagship business events such as Meble Polska, Budma, Polagra, Poznań Motor Show, and ITM Industry Europe remain key dates in the calendars of Poland’s leading export industries, Grupa MTP operates across multiple sectors.

The company’s portfolio includes more than 100 brands. Grupa MTP also provides comprehensive event organization services, ranging from business trade fairs (B2B) to sporting competitions, concerts, and consumer events (B2C); exhibition design and construction through Idea Expo, which builds approximately 6,000 exhibition booths annually in Poland and around the world; as well as conference and catering services.

Trade fairs are an excellent barometer of economic activity. Grupa MTP’s stable profitability and growing attendance at events in Poznań demonstrate that Polish companies continue to invest in relationships and seek new markets. Thanks to a strong industry leader, Poland remains a key destination on the trade fair map of Central and Eastern Europe.