Event participants want to meet, companies feel the need to take part in trade fairs and see the benefits of doing so, the demand for direct contact and face-to-face exchange of knowledge is enormous, and the sector is growing despite global and local challenges. These are the key conclusions of the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry’s report “Trade Fairs in Poland in 2023”.
On 4 June 2024, the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry held a press conference at the Poznań International Fair, during which Tomasz Kobierski, President of the Management Board of Grupa MTP and Chairman of the PCEI Council, together with Krzysztof Szofer, Vice-President of BWS Expo, and Filip Bittner, Vice-President of the Management Board of Grupa MTP, presented the “Trade Fairs in Poland in 2023” report, which sums up the past year in the industry. The meeting was also attended by Wiesława Galińska, General Director of PCEI.
“The Polish exhibition market offers a wealth of trade and consumer events held in different parts of the country. Thanks to its strategic location, Poland attracts both exhibitors and visitors from all over Europe and other parts of the world, which fosters international cooperation and the promotion of the Polish economy. The pace of growth and the diversity of the events organised testify to Poland’s strong position as the trade fair hub of Central and Eastern Europe,” said Tomasz Kobierski, President of the Management Board of Grupa MTP and Chairman of the PCEI Council.
What are the key conclusions of the report?
Statistical data
The report showed that, despite the challenges and changing economic conditions, the Polish exhibition market recorded growth. In 2023, 121 trade fairs were organised, and the amount of exhibition space rented increased significantly, reaching 130% of the previous year’s level. In terms of attendance, 2023 shows a clear increase in both the total number of exhibitors and the number of visitors. The total number of exhibitors rose by 21% compared with 2022, while the number of international exhibitors increased by 38%.
The exhibition industry’s adaptation to ongoing change
Faced with ongoing transformation and with climate and demographic change, trade fairs are trying to redefine their role, offering visitors new experiences and exhibitors new opportunities. Trade fairs also have to respond to the increasingly demanding expectations of younger generations, who are looking for new experiences and for spaces where they can have direct contact with the brands they identify with. Event formats are changing, as are the exhibition stands themselves, which are becoming ever more multimedia-based and generating less and less waste. Increasing emphasis is being placed on sustainable practices in the organisation of trade fair events, from the use of environmentally friendly materials to waste minimisation and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, Polish exhibition centres are being expanded and modernised in order to adapt them even better to changing market requirements and the expectations of event participants.
The importance of trade fairs for the economy
Trade fairs in Poland play a key role in the economic development of cities, contributing to the growth of local economies through business tourism and increased demand for hotel, catering and transport services. Poznań, Kielce, Warsaw, Gdańsk and Kraków, as hosts of many international events, attract entrepreneurs and visitors from all over the world, which translates into increased investment in the region.
Outlook for the future – face-to-face meetings are one of the best tools for supporting a brand and its relations with its environment.
The sector is growing despite global and local challenges. With a growing number of events planned for 2024 and 2025 and increasing interest from both domestic and international exhibitors and visitors, the Polish exhibition market has the prospect of further growth ahead of it.
We invite you to read the report.