A new Economic Impact Study conducted by KPMG on behalf of the European Major Exhibition Centres Association (EMECA) has shown that the EMECA members’ activity generates approximately €6.4bn in tax revenue.

The study also noted that EMECA members hosted over 1,800 exhibitions and 4,200 events in 2024, with a record share of 43% international exhibitors and 23% international visitors. The association’s members also hold almost two-thirds (63%) of the large exhibition venues in Europe, and nearly one-third (29%) of the total European indoor exhibition capacity.

The new Economic Impact Study examined the years 2023 and 2024 and revealed solid growth in nearly all fields. The full study will be published in full in the coming weeks and will showcase more quantitative results as well as a qualitative section.

The activities of EMECA members generated a total impact on the economy of more than €81.9bn in 2024, the association said. In the same year, they supported employment for over 567,000 staff.

In 2024 EMECA member events welcomed roughly 378,000 exhibitors, of whom 57% were national and 43% international. Over 39.2m visitors attended EMECA members’ exhibitions and events, of whom 77% were national and 23% international attendees.

EMECA president Elżbieta Roeske (pictured) stressed the strategic importance of the exhibition industry in Europe: “The outcomes of this first Executive summary of the study confirm once again the international leadership of the European exhibition industry. EMECA members’ activities benefit the economy in an outstanding way, both by providing the platforms for international business, innovation and competitiveness in Europe, and by boosting the economy of the territories. They create indirect and induced economic impact beyond the events themselves and secure jobs across a multitude of sectors. Despite the current challenges and disruptions, EMECA Members accomplish their role by dynamicly adapting and investing into the quality and sustainability of their venues.”

EMECA has 25 active members and unites leading exhibition venues in Europe, many of which are also exhibition and event organisers.