IFEMA MADRID reports that it has made a ‘strong comeback’ in the last six months, following the peak of the Covid-19 health crisis.
In the first six months of 2022, IFEMA states that it has accelerated its operations to pre-pandemic levels. The institution's income has already exceeded €115m ($115.2m), which is 30% more than was foreseen in the budget.
José Vicente de los Mozos, the chairman of the executive committee, said: “[this success] validates IFEMA's determination to press on during extremely difficult times, guaranteeing its events will go ahead and reap benefits, not only to the sectors represented but also for Madrid and for the entire country economically”.
January’s FITUR show, an international tourism trade show organised by IFEMA MADRID, is accredited with starting IFEMA’s recent incline.
The show was attended by 100,000 trade professionals from 127 countries and was followed by 145 trade exhibitions, shows, and corporate and leisure events. A total of 8,580 companies attended FITUR. 22% of the exhibitors were international and were visited by 720,000 visitors.
A successful first half
It is reported by IFEMA that almost all planned shows in the first half of 2022 went ahead as planned. Large-scale events such as ARCOmadrid took place on their regular dates, as were large international events like SICUR and MOTORTEC.
IFEMA states that the return of in-person national and international events is their priority this year. Between January to June, over 20,000 international professionals attended one of the six congresses staged in the Recinto Ferial and the Palacio Municipal de IFEMA MADRID.
Of the six events, the renown of several is credited with IFEMA’s positive outlook. These include the Heart Failure Congress by the European Cardiology Society; World ATM Congress, the world's largest international air traffic management (ATM) exhibition and conference, and the Ibero-Latin American Congress of Dermatology.
IFEMA MADRID also reports that the first six months of 2022 saw the organisation focus on sustainable events.
The Global Mobility Call, a sustainability-focused congress from IFEMA MADRID, was held during this time period, and was followed by six large-scale sustainability events; among these was GENERA, the International Fair of Energy and Environment.
The first half of the year culminated with two events particularly noted by IFEMA. The World Dog Show, which was attended by 55,000 people and 16,500 representatives of breeds, and the NATO summit held on 28 June.
Looking to the future
To summarise the progress made by the organisation already in 2022, Mr Vicente said: “The first six months of the year were pivotal for IFEMA MADRID. We validated our basic lines of work, which will take shape in the coming months in a strategic plan.”
Mr Vicente stated that IFEMA MADRID’s upcoming developments will increase their revenue. This is set to be through hybrid projects and projects like HELIXA, which explores emerging areas like the metaverse.
“[We are] planning a year that will conclude with an 80% increase in turnover, resulting in €178m ($179.4).”
