EUROPE - Madrid venue and show organiser Institución Ferial de Madrid (IFEMA) has said more than 2.8 million visitors and 32,000 companies are expected to visit the venue in 2014.
IFEMA is set to host 75 international trade fairs and congresses this year, and 500 other events, which is anticipated to generate an economic impact of 2bn Euros (US$2.71bn) in the region.
The firm claims this programme will be a turning point for Madrid's trade fair dynamics, with an estimated growth of 10-15 per cent in several strands including participating companies and square metres occupied, as well as more than 20 per cent in visitor numbers compared to 2013.
In 2013, IFEMA launched a trade fair concentration strategy which will continue into 2014. The second Momad Metropolis event will run alongside Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid in February, joining current co-located shows SIMM and Modacalzado+Iberpiel. In September, the event will continue to grow to include GIFTRENDS Madrid, and the International Gift and Decoration, Jewellery and Fashion Jewellery Week.
Also in February, the education sector will be regrouped into the Education Week including: AULA and the Special Professional Training Area, the third Cycle Education Show, the Postgraduate Forum and the Education Resource Sector for Interdidac, as well as the International Education Marketing Congress: Eduketing.
The construction and renovation sector will also feature. The Sustainable Construction Solutions International Show and Veteco (Window, Curtain Walls and Structural Glass Trade Show) will co-locate “for efficiency”, under the title International Construction Week for Efficient Construction and Renovation, which will coincide with the Energy and Environment International Trade Fair, Genera.
The venue will hold eight large international congresses, attracting more than 50,000 professionals in attendance, that will generate an occupancy of over 150,000 hotel stays in the city.
During the year, IFEMA's foreign activity will also include developing three new trade fair projects in collaboration with local operators: a property show in France, a franchise show in Chile and a second-hand car show in Italy.
IFEMA has also expanded its events portfolio into another South American country Peru. It is also collaborating with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, to develop joint trade fair projects in the future.
The year kicks off with international tourism fair FITUR on 22-26 January, expected to surpass the 2013 edition which attracted 116,157 visitors and 8,979 exhibiting companies.
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