Industry News
Curated headlines from the trade show and exhibition industry's top publications, associations, and expert blogs.
Hamburg wind industry fair to premiere special energy storage exhibition
Grid stability is one of the greatest challenges to the expansion of renewable energy. When wind turbines produce more power than the grid can absorb, they must be curtailed, which means compensation payments for operators for the lost energy. Nearly €600m was paid to them in Germany in 2024 alone;…
6 main challenges of launching events in the US, according to organisers
1. Costs are high – and hard to predict The US is expensive. But contributors say that the bigger challenge is not always the headline price – it’s how difficult costs can be to predict in advance. “Union labour rules caught us off guard – costs and restrictions vary significantly by venue and…
Diversified acquires Workspace Design Show
Diversified UK & Europe, a UK-based organiser, has acquired the Workspace Design Show, a London- and Amsterdam-based event focused on workplace design. The show takes place at the Business Design Centre in February and at RAI Amsterdam in November. It brings together architects, designers, brands…
Hemming Group appoints Robin Booth as CEO
Hemming Group Ltd has appointed Robin Booth as its new CEO, effective 6 July 2026. Booth will succeed Bill Butler, who is retiring after 35 years with the company, including nine years as group managing director. The company said Butler’s tenure included strengthening its market position, expanding…
SASIE report: UK exhibitions reach highest level in decade
The UK exhibitions sector reached its highest level in a decade in 2025, according to the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), which has published the tenth Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions (SASIE) report. The report, produced by the collective associations AEO, AEV and ESSA, provides analysis of…
Easyfairs acquires Food Hotel Tech and Tech For Retail
International organiser Easyfairs has announced the acquisition of Paris-based Food Hotel Tech and Tech For Retail, two leading events dedicated to innovation in the hospitality and retail sectors. The union will see the incumbent entrepreneurial team, led by Karen Serfaty, continue. Easyfairs says…
WTM Africa 2026 posts record numbers in Cape Town
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026 delivered the largest and most internationally diverse edition to date, 13-15 April, at CTICC in Cape Town. The show attracted 8,000 trade professionals from 63 countries. Fifteen countries sent buyers for the show for first time, including Jamaica, Kazakhstan,…
DWTC serves up record results
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Hospitality is reporting record-breaking results for 2025, noting it served 1.28m guests across 2,578 events over the year. This represents a 37% increase from 930,000 guests in 2024. The latest annual results for the hospitality division reflect its expanding…
UFI Associations Committee re-elects chair and vice-chair with new three-year mandate
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, has re-elected its chair and vice-chair for its Associations Committee. They will begin their three-year mandate at the 93rd UFI Global Congress in November 2026. Jörn Holtmeier (pictured) – managing director of AUMA (Association of the German…
PP Graphics secures FESPA sustainability accreditation after rebrand
PP Graphics has achieved FESPA ‘Sustainable Waste’ accreditation. This follows its rebrand from Psycho Peacock in February 2026. The accreditation recognises waste reduction and process improvements. It comes as the company positions sustainability within its operations and client services,…
Aircraft Interiors Expo ready for take off in Hamburg
RX Global’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2026 will reflect the full scale and ambition of modern aviation when it runs at Hamburg Messe, 14-16 April. This year’s 479 exhibitors represent a cross-section of the industry and will showcases the international reach of the aircraft interiors sector.…
Map Your Show launches AI technology to personalise the trade show experience
US-based trade show operating system Map Your Show has launched MYS Connected, an AI-powered technology designed to create a personalised trade show experience for attendees. Using real-time event data and intelligent matchmaking, the technology guides attendees to the right exhibitors, sessions,…
Exhibit3Sixty receives Better Stands Gold Award
Exhibit 3Sixty, an exhibition contractor, has been awarded the Better Stands Gold award for its collaboration with premium appliance brand ASKO at kbb Birmingham, held from 5–8 March 2026. The certification, issued by Informa Markets, represents the highest level of the Better Stands framework,…
Freemans appoints projects director to drive strategic growth
Freemans Event Partners in the UK has appointed Roger Lowe as projects director, a strategic role focused on driving new ventures, partnerships, and commercial growth across the business. Lowe brings extensive experience across motorsport, live entertainment, and venue development. He spent eight…
Construction begins on Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s extension
Construction of Solar, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s event space of the future, has begun. Once completed, the Solar will be one of the most modern event spaces in the Nordic countries. New architecture will combine with top-class AV services, and the first phase includes rebuilding the…
Olympia appoints Stambridge Group as event security partner
The Stambridge Group has been appointed as event security partner for Olympia’s heritage halls. Stambridge said the role covers the delivery of event security services across live events, exhibitions and consumer events held within the West London venue’s spaces. The appointment will be carried out…
Europalco reinforces commitment to health and safety with ISO 45001 certification
Portugal-based Europalco, the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, reports it has obtained ISO 45001 certification, reinforcing its commitment to occupational health, safety, and employee wellbeing. The ISO 45001 standard, established by the International…
STEP CONNECT2 expands partnership with MPBA
The Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA) has expanded its partnership with STEP CONNECT2 to support a series of events focused on public sector infrastructure, including education and justice estates. The collaboration includes continued involvement in Education Estates, which the MPBA…
Dubai World Trade Centre posts strong growth numbers for events in 2025
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), has announced strong 2025 reporting growth in MICE events hosted in the emirate. DWTC welcomed 2.97m attendees in 2025 across its Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) venues, a 12% year-on-year increase. The…
NürnbergMesse puts its exhibitors in the spotlight with new social media campaign
NürnbergMesse is kicking off the spring trade fair season with its ‘Together we create opportunities’ campaign. In a six-part video series, the trade fair organiser profiles exhibitors from various specialist trade fairs across a range of sectors – from organic food and toys to IT security. The…