UFI: activity growth in different markets

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Paris, 24th July: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the latest edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer, capturing the current status and outlook of the exhibition industry worldwide.

 

The results indicated expected growth of activity in different markets for 2025, following the year of 2024 where operating profits were stable for a majority of companies globally.

 

Chris Skeith OBE, Managing Director and CEO at UFI, commented, “The UFI Barometer has been providing benchmark data across key metrics for the industry since 2009, helping organisations to gain insight on trends to help them plan their business activities. This new edition of UFI’s Barometer research highlights very contrasted outlook within most regions on one side, and very positive signs towards developments on the other. It is especially encouraging to see high levels of recruitment and also the significant proportion of companies having already integrated AI-powered tools into their systems.”

 

The latest edition of this bi-annual research was concluded in July 2025, featuring data from 386 companies in 58 countries and regions. The report also included outlooks and analysis for 19 countries and regions: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, and the USA – as well as five additional aggregated regional zones. Global results were also segmented for organiser, venues and service providers / suppliers whenever this is relevant.

RELX’s exhibitions up 9% in first half of 2025

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London, 24th July: Last week, RELX Group plc, parent company of RX Global (formerly Reed Exhibitions), reported its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2025. Group revenues were £4.7 billion (US$6.5 billion) in the first half of the year, representing underlying growth of 7%. The adjusted operating profit increased by 9%, reaching £1.7 billion (US$2.3 billion).

 

RELX’s exhibitions business generated revenues of £581 million (US$797 million), representing underlying growth of 8%, while the adjusted operating profit grew 9%, amounting at £234 million (US$321 million).

 

The company attributed the growth in its exhibitions business to the improved growth profile of its event portfolio, with the past 12 months having established Exhibitions at strong ongoing growth, above pre-pandemic levels. The company also stated the revenues in the first half reflected prior year disposals and event cycling and timing.

 

Chief Executive Officer, Erik Engstrom, was quoted, “RELX delivered strong revenue and profit growth in the first half of 2025, in line with full year 2024 but with a higher quality growth profile: … Exhibitions now established at strong ongoing growth.”

GBTA: business travel spending to reach US$1.6 trillion in 2025

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U.S., 21st July: The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) released its latest GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook – Annual Global Report & Forecast, forecasting the global business travel spending to hit a record of US$1.6 trillion in 2025, which represents a 6.6% growth year-on-year.

 

According to GBTA BTI, spending growth in 2027 will be 6.4%, while 2028 will be 6.3%, which are higher than a year ago.

 

GBTA also projected the global spending by 2029 to surpass US$2 trillion, where the growth was driven by structural shifts in trade, investment, and corporate travel behaviour.

 

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, said, “As we thoughtfully anticipate reaching a new high in business travel spending this year, the outlook is steady – but the road ahead is more complex. Trade policy uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and shifting global supply chains are reshaping how and where companies travel. This latest forecast reflects the resiliency of business travel and our industry as well as the acknowledgment of the risks ahead.”

Messe Frankfurt and MEX Exhibitions announce strategic alliance

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Mumbai, Maharashtra, 24th July: The organiser of Paperworld India, Messe Frankfurt India, and the organiser of Gifts World Expo, MEX Exhibitions, announced the merger of their exhibition portfolios.

 

The merge of the exhibitions will establish a pan-India presence for the gifting and stationery sector with the exhibitions at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata. The organisers will deliver a scalable model by creating regional platforms in India’s top-tier commercial and consumption hubs, supporting wider market access for exhibitions by reaching buyers and distributors in multiple cities; year-round business engagement through stagged show calendars; enhanced visibility for brands targeting B2B, retail, and corporate segments; targeted networking and buyer connect opportunities tailored to each region’s commercial pulse.

 

The upcoming February 2026 Mumbai edition of Gifts World Expo will be rebranded under the Gifts World Expo umbrella, covering the entire gamut of gifting. In addition, Paperworld India, the global brand for the stationery, office, and school supplies sector under the Messe Frankfurt portfolio, will be launched in New Delhi, alongside Gifts World Expo (New Delhi 2026 edition).

 

Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd., stated, “Our continued partnership with MEX Exhibitions aims to align our strengths and industry insights to build a nationally relevant and sectorally deep portfolio. With Gifts World Expo expanding into Mumbai and the launch of Paperworld India in New Delhi, we are strategically poised to serve both the B2B gifting and stationery segments more effectively with a strong brand with enhanced offerings through a single-source business platform. Adopting a pan-India strategy focused on these four key commercial and consumption hubs will enable the shows further to drive stronger market reach and sustained business engagement throughout the year for both Indian and global brands.”

Quick takes

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Hyve welcomes GSV Summit

Hyve announced GSV Summit, with two leading U.S. events focused on education innovation and workforce development, the ASU+GSV Summit and the AI Show. No financial details of the deal have been released.

GL events get new shareholders & rename as GL events Foundation

GL events got two new shareholders: ATREAM and CARAC acquired 5.3% of Polygone and 1.5% of share capital of GL events.

Separately, the company changed its name to GL events Foundation, marking a new stage in structing the company’s social commitment, with a clear shift from support to action.

Macau welcomes 19m+ visitors in first half of 2025

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) reported 19,218,540 visitor arrivals in the first half of 2025 to Macau, increased by 15% year-on-year. Same-day visitors rose by 26%, reaching 11,182,913, while overnight visitors were 8,035,627, growing by 2.6%.