The history, mission, and values of CENTREX-PCEI: the organization dedicated to exhibition auditing and statistics.
Founded in 1997, the CENTREX International Exhibition Statistics Union has played a key role in improving the transparency and credibility of exhibition statistics in Central and Eastern Europe. The organization is recognized for auditing and certifying exhibition data and for promoting trade fairs as an effective direct marketing channel in the region.
In 2025, CENTREX continued its mission under the umbrella of the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry as CENTREX-PCEI. This transition represents not only the continuation of CENTREX’s mission, but also its further development within an organization committed to advancing and representing the exhibition industry.
PCEI has taken over CENTREX’s complete know-how, knowledge base, and the support of its experienced auditors: Karoly Nagy and Ildiko Molnar. As a member of UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), CENTREX remains a respected and well-established brand whose mission and expertise now have even greater opportunities for growth.
A new audit team, formed jointly by experts from CENTREX, PCEI, and other industry specialists, will be responsible for conducting independent exhibition audits in Central and Eastern Europe.
Our mission remains unchanged: to provide reliable, comparable, and transparent data that supports the professionalization of the exhibition industry and builds trust among organizers, exhibitors, and international institutions.
We are committed to ensuring the transparency and credibility of exhibition statistics in accordance with international standards.
We establish and implement transparent rules for exhibition statistics in line with UFI’s international standards.
We promote transparency through audit services and the publication of audited exhibition statistics in annual reports and online.
We represent our members’ interests in international forums and foster platforms for regional cooperation.
We provide our members with promotional resources, educational materials, and support education in exhibition marketing.
We certify trade fairs applying for “UFI Approved Event” status throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
We provide reliable, comparable, and transparent data that supports the professionalization of the exhibition industry.
From the first UFI initiative in 1993, through the registration of CENTREX UNION in Prague, to the integration with PCEI in 2025.
UFI proposed that all members conduct exhibition audits. The initiative was discussed during a meeting with BDO Portugal as part of the UFI IT and Communications Subcommittee.
The first audit was carried out jointly with BDO Portugal, combining training with the practical implementation of the methodology.
At the UFI Congress in December 1996, the idea of closer cooperation among exhibition organizations from the Visegrád Group (V4) emerged. The decision to establish CENTREX was made in January 1997 in Poznań. The original objective was to harmonize exhibition statistics by creating a methodology that would produce comparable, internationally recognized data. At the time, exhibition audits were based primarily on financial auditing practices carried out by accounting firms. The founding members agreed to appoint a single auditor – BDO Group – for all V4 countries.
The founding members formally approved the exhibition statistics framework and audit regulations – the foundation of a common methodology for the V4 region.
A concept similar to the German FKM model was discussed with Tauberger (FKM) and Messe Berlin, with Przemysław Trawa and Jiří Knop participating in the discussions. Given the maturity of the German market, the proposal was considered difficult to implement. An attempt to obtain the designation FKM East Europe was declined. Differences in visitor data collection demonstrated that, as an emerging free-market region, CEE required a different methodology.
A practical methodology workshop was held in Hungary, where participants refined the audit process and discussed the common audit regulations.
The organization was formally established during the UFI Congress in Prague. In December 1997, auditors from BDO in the four founding countries attended a training session in Bratislava led by BDO Portugal and FKM/Ernst & Young, focusing on how and what data should be audited.
The first audit exercises were launched, followed by a consolidated annual report covering exhibition statistics from the four CEE countries, including event calendars. The publication was later discontinued due to the increasing flexibility and frequent changes in event schedules.
UFI formally recognized and accepted the CENTREX audit regulations, making CENTREX an officially recognised partner of The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Following BDO’s withdrawal from Slovakia, Amasia EXPO assumed responsibility for exhibition audits in Bratislava and Prague.
CENTREX expanded its presence into another CEE market through cooperation with the local BDO partner.
CENTREX became an influential member of UFI’s Statistics and Audit Committee. In the years that followed, it continued to serve on the UFI Association Committee and the European Chapter, while also participating in a variety of UFI research projects.
The Board decided that CENTREX would conduct independent exhibition audits to ensure complete impartiality and control over the methodology.
CENTREX continues its activities under the umbrella of PCEI. The Chamber has taken over the organization’s complete know-how, knowledge base, and the support of its experienced auditors, Karoly Nagy and Ildiko Molnar.