Global Exhibitions Day (GED) 2024 continued to serve as the single largest day of awareness and advocacy for the exhibition industry when the ninth edition celebrated the industry and its achievements this year on 5 June.
The key GED2024 message, ‘Exhibitions are catalysts to sustainable futures’, reached audiences in over 100 countries and regions.
Next year’s GED will take place on Wednesday, 4 June 2025.
The ninth edition of GED’s theme reinforces the role of exhibitions as platforms to bring people together face-to-face to connect, collaborate on global solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and drive progress for economies worldwide.
In the lead-up to and during GED 2024, according to UFI’s initial numbers*, global activations had an online reach of over 600k, with over 9,000 people interacting through social media posts, messages, and comments. The #GED2024 hashtag was widely used across the community to showcase the role and purpose of exhibitions in driving progress for people and the planet. The campaign also saw 3,000 trees planted across the Philippines, Madagascar, and Ecuador through a collaboration with Sustainability Partner EcoMatcher and Digital Marketing Partner snöball.
The campaign saw engagement with and support from government officials across the world, including Hong Kong, Italy, Macau, Singapore, and Washington DC. These endorsements and recognition are essential to reinforce the critical role of exhibitions in global and local economies.
Leading global organisers Clarion Events, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa, RX, and many others, weighed in on the economic significance and resilience of the industry, having experienced one of the most significant bouncebacks, proving that in-person connection is increasingly valued regardless of industry or geography.
Geoff Dickinson, 2024 UFI president and CEO of dmg events, said: “It is so wonderful to see our community celebrating Global Exhibitions Day around the world to emphasise the role of exhibitions as vital platforms for humanity to gather, to exchange new ideas and to collaborate across industries and borders to build a more prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future.”
Some of these GED2024 activations can be found on the GED website.
*Reach on social media tracked using Brandwatch based on hashtags #GlobalExhibitionsDay, #GED2024, or similar. Figures will continue to be added.
GED2024 highlights by region
ASIA-PACIFIC
Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations (AFECA) posted a video ‘Journey to Sustainable Futures: AFECA's Members Pioneering Change in Asia’ with messages from AFECA president and their members from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.
Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) reinforced its commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives within the exhibition industry with a social post featuring their members such as Arinex, AV1, Harry the Hirer, ICC Sydney, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Moreton Hire.
COEX shared a team photo celebrating the day.
Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) held their annual conference and dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with over 230 members and industry partners in attendance.
Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) organised a #GEDIndia social media competition to encourage members to create GED Videos and GED Posters.
Informa Markets India shared an article on the role of exhibitions in India’s growth story and in driving progress and sustainability.
Japan Exhibition Association (JEXA) organised an information session to explain the key themes of GED and a presentation on the exhibition industry trends worldwide.
KINTEX posted an infographic on the economic impact of exhibitions (in Korean).
Macau Fair & Trade Association (MFTA) hosted its annual Macau GED Day, supported by Galaxy Entertainment Group and attended by government officials.
Shenyang New World EXPO shared a team video celebrating the day.
Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) shared a video ‘The Singapore Story: Collective Efforts by the MICE Community to Chart a Sustainable Tomorrow’.
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) shared a video on sustainability through the lens of exhibitions.
Thailand Exhibition Association (TEA), supported by TCEB, organised ‘Exhibitions Connecting the World’ featuring exhibition leaders speaking on topics such as The Future of Sustainability in Asia and Transforming & Thriving in the New Era of Exhibitions Over the Next Three Years.
Iteca Exhibitions in Uzbekistan shared a team photo collage to celebrate the day.
EUROPE
Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) shared a post on its position on sustainability as the German trade fair industry aims to be climate-neutral by 2040.
Comexposium presented their Manifesto 2024 video celebrating their legacy of events and contribution of their team across the world.
Clarion Events paid homage to their team for creating meaningful and lasting connections with people and organisations around the globe.
Easyfairs shared a video showcasing sustainability practices in their events.
European Major Exhibition Centre Association (EMECA) celebrated GED during its Board Meeting and General Assembly in Stuttgart.
Eventmaker hosted a special event with the support of Union Française des Métiers de l'Événement (UNIMEV/ French Meeting Industry Council).
Exhibitions News and Tembo ran a social media campaign in collaboration with InGo.
Feria de Valladolid held an event to discuss the impact of trade fairs in their region. Together with Valladolid Centro Congresos and the International Cooking School, led by chef Óscar Herrero, they created a tapa to commemorate GED and to represent the global diversity of exhibitions.
FEBELUX organised their annual Connecting Day 2024 followed by a networking evening celebrating GED at the Jardin Botanique de Meise.
Fondazione Fiera Milano showcased their sustainability efforts through an infographic.
Greek Exhibition Industry Association (SOKEE) shared a social post to recognise the dedication of everyone involved in the exhibitions industry.
IFEMA Madrid shared a video highlighting the sustainable practices of the industry.
Informa Markets shared its sustainability journey in their latest Sustainability Report.
International Exhibition Logistics Association (IELA) ran a social media campaign “GED2024 Hand-in-Hand” with to showcase their members working together for a sustainable exhibition industry.
International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES) encouraged the community to connect and collaborate to shape the future of the industry.
Italian Exhibition & Trade Fair Association (AEFI) held a special event ‘Exhibitions: Impact on Made in Italy Enterprises and Internationalisation’, which included a statement from the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy and speakers from the Italian Trade Agency and Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation.
Koelnmesse shared a video on how exhibitions have shaped their 100-year history and will continue to shape their future.
Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry (PCEI) presented the ‘Trade Fairs in Poland 2023’ report, shared a team video and launched an #EcoExpoChallenge to encourage GED participation across its membership.
RX Global shared a story on innovative and exciting ways to use face to face events to build brands.
Spanish Trade Fairs Association (AFE) circulated a press release emphasising the growth and economic impact of the exhibition industry in Spain.
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) celebrated big with the AAXO Leadership Summit in Johannesburg in collaboration with Exhibition and Events Association of South Africa (EXSA) and Event Greening Forum. AAXO also launched its AAXO Youth Chapter, organised a collection of old banners or lanyards which will be gifted to Skills Village in Johannesburg to create school bags, and collaborated with JEC and Masterdrive on an adrenaline-fueled GED South Africa experience on the skidpan.
CBME Türkiye shared a team video.
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre celebrated with fully occupied halls the day of GED.
Qatar Tourism welcomed over 70 industry colleagues from the Middle East and Africa region to their ‘UFI Qatar Day’ at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center to celebrate GED.
Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority unveiled an e-book highlighting the sector’s achievements in numbers.
Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım did a series of fun interviews with their employees, participants and visitors.
AMERICAS
Asociación Internacional de Ferias de América (AFIDA) celebrated with a social post.
Asociación Argentina (AOCA) posted an infographic on the importance of exhibitions in generating new business opportunities and professional growth.
Emerald celebrated the exhibition industry's significant influence in shaping a sustainable and thriving future for all with a social post.
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) assembled 130 industry leaders and advocates from 25 states on Capitol Hill for Legislative Action Day in Washington DC.
Exhibition Place Toronto embraced the theme by highlighting their sustainability initiatives.
Fexpocruz celebrated the impact of exhibitions through a photo carousel of their community.
La Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales en Exposiciones, Ferias y Convenciones (AMPROFEC) held a press conference to present data from a new national study to highlight the relevance of the exhibition industry.
Meetings®Panama, together with the Panama Convention Center and the APPCE Association, organised the International Exhibition Forum 2024 with the theme ‘Driving Sustainable Futures through the Best Innovation and Connection Platforms’.
Messe Frankfurt North America shared a team video to describe the virbrancy of the industry.
RX Mexico shared their #InTheBusinessOfBuildingBusiness video in celebration of GED.
This is not an exhaustive list. Visit globalexhibitionsday.org to see more GED 2024 activities and photo highlights.
