Industry News
Curated headlines from the trade show and exhibition industry's top publications, associations, and expert blogs. Stay current with exhibitor announcements, show openings, industry trends, and market news from across the events world. Whether you follow technology, healthcare, food, or manufacturing events, our news feed surfaces the stories that matter to trade show professionals, exhibitors, and event marketers.
Three events industry associations unite their European advocacy under one umbrella
Three of the world’s leading events and exhibition associations – EMECA (European Major Exhibitions Centres Association), ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) – have signed a formal agreement to unite their European…
Final marathon awaits David Walmsley in 30-in-30 challenge
David Walmsley, senior crew chief at events crewing company Crewsaders, is one day away from completing the impressive challenge of 30 marathons in 30 days. Today, 29 April, is day 29 of the challenge. Tomorrow, 30 April, he is due to complete the final marathon, ending with a public last-mile run…
Beijing’s Auto Maintenance and Repair Expo 2026 delivers roadmap for innovation
The 74th edition of Auto Maintenance and Repair Expo (AMR) closed in Beijing at the Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center (CIECC) on 15 April 2026, having delivered a three-day programme and platform combining trade, information exchange, industry services and talent development.…
RefTech launches new mobile app
Event registration company RefTech has launched ContactScanning, a mobile application aimed at event organisers seeking greater visibility into attendee interactions and data collection across events. The app is available on iOS and Android and allows authorised users, including exhibitors,…
Better Stands appoints Roger Lehner as project manager
Better Stands has appointed Roger Lehner as project manager from 1 May 2026. Lehner joins from IMEX Group, where he served as senior operations and sustainability executive, working at the point where organisers, venues and service providers come together. His previous roles include positions at…
What is the state of the UK exhibition industry?
By Phil Soar, Chairman of CloserStill Group and Nineteen Group If you want to know how we are faring, the EIA (the collective associations of AEV, AEO and ESSA) have just released their 2025 SASIE report. This is now the only comprehensive review of the UK industry which we can turn to. It began in…
Trade fairs power rise in revenues and profit at IFEMA MADRID
IFEMA MADRID organiser and venue complex has published 2025 financial results, following approval by its Governing Board, which show revenues of €216.8m and €18.7m net profit. The revenues are 22% higher than in the previous odd-numbered year (2023), while the net profit has risen by 165.…
How to make your event show up on AI search
“If AI can’t find your event, does it exist?” That was the question posed during one of three roundtables, sponsored and hosted by ASP, at EN’s latest event. In an ever changing and fast moving space, it can be difficult to keep up with AI’s latest developments and judge how much time and resource…
Premagic appoints Adam Parry as strategic advisor
Premagic, the AI-powered event technology platform trusted by organisers across Asia, the UK, and Europe, has announced the appointment of Adam Parry as strategic advisor. Parry, co-founder of Event Tech Live and the Event Technology Awards, joins the company as it accelerates its international…
War in Iran: How is it changing travel trends?
UK SMEs are increasing international business travel spend despite ongoing disruption linked to the Middle East, according to research from Travel Counsellors for Business. A survey of 1,000 UK SMEs shows 39% plan to increase international trips over the next 12 months, with 67% expressing…
A bigger international bridal match made in Barcelona
Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (BBFW) 2026 posted another record attendance and delivered the biggest international edition to date, according to organisers Fira de Barcelona, with 87% of exhibitors and 81% of visitors coming from outside Spain. The event reinforced itself as a leading global…
Revenue reaches all-time high for The Finnish Fair Corporation
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre and The Finnish Fair Corporation have reported a strong year in 2025, with revenues rising 3.6% to pass €60m for the first time. The centre’s visitor numbers exceeded one million, growing 13.7% compared to the previous year. “Our growth strategy was successfully…
Olympia to host AnimeCon UK this Autumn
Olympia Events has confirmed that AnimeCon UK will launch a London edition at Olympia on 3–4 October 2026. The event will take place in Olympia’s Grand Hall following the redevelopment of the venue into a mixed-use destination for events, hospitality and business. Olympia’s redevelopment includes…
Excel London welcomes 500,000 sports visitors in 12 months
Excel London has welcomed more than 500,000 sports fans and competitors over the past 12 months. The increase in attendance has been driven by high-profile events launching at or relocating to the East London venue. HYROX recently extended its agreement with ExCeL, with its 2025 edition attracting…
UFI’s Next Generation Leaders 2026 programme winners announced
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced the five winners of the 2026 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) programme. This year’s NGLs were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants by a panel of international judges chaired by UFI president Panittha Buri. Now in its…
Detectnology releases white paper on knife crime trends for venues
Detectnology, a UK security detection provider, has released a white paper examining knife enabled crime and terrorist incidents in the UK from 2016 to 2026. Authored by Nick Jordan, commercial director at Detectnology, the report analyses data from government statistics, law enforcement records…
ISPO 2026 partners with ‘It’s Great Out There’ coalition
ISPO 2026, the trade event for the sporting goods, outdoor, and winter sports industries, which moves to Amsterdam RAI for the first time in November, is to partner with the It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT). This alliance, organisers say, demonstrates ISPO’s commitment to work with…
Tutankhamun immersive exhibition to open at NEC Campus
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition will open at The NEC Campus in Birmingham on 19 June for a 12-week run. The 2,000sqm exhibition has already attracted 2.5m visitors worldwide across cities including Madrid, Hamburg, Cairo, Barcelona, London and Stockholm. Created in collaboration with…
Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter reveals new board
The Women in Exhibitions Network has unveiled a new board for its North America chapter, with directors serving until August 2027. The organisation, founded in 2018, supports the career development of women working in the exhibitions sector and continues to expand its international membership. The…
Connect Meetings expands MatchPoint partnership
Connect Meetings, an Informa division and MICE event producer, has expanded its partnership with MatchPoint, an AI-powered networking platform, to provide sponsors with year round lead generation beyond event dates. MatchPoint has served as networking partner across multiple Connect Meetings events…