EMECA members secure 567,000 jobs in Europe

15.01.2026

A new Economic Impact Study conducted by KPMG on behalf of EMECA highlights the relevance of the European exhibition industry.

The new Economic Impact Study examined the years 2023 and 2024 and reveals solid growth in nearly all fields, confirming the performance and resilience of EMECA members. The full study will be published in full in the coming weeks and will showcase more quantitative results as well as a qualitative section.

The activities of EMECA members generated a total impact on the economy of more than 81.9 billion euros in 2024. In the same year, they supported employment for over 567,000 staff.

EMECA members organised and hosted more than 1,800 exhibitions and 4,200 additional events in 2024. They welcomed roughly 378,000 exhibitors, of whom 57 percent were national and 43 percent international. Over 39.2 million visitors attended EMECA members' exhibitions and events, 77 percent national and 23 percent international attendees. This offers European companies the opportunity to trade with the world on their doorstep. 

EMECA president Elżbieta Roeske stresses the strategic importance of the exhibition industry in Europe: “The outcomes of this first executive summary of the study confirm once again the international leadership of the European exhibition industry. EMECA members’ activities benefit the economy in an outstanding way, both by providing the platforms for international business, innovation and competitiveness in Europe, and by boosting the economy of the territories. They create indirect and induced economic impact beyond the events themselves and secure jobs across a multitude of sectors. Despite the current challenges and disruptions, EMECA members accomplish their role by dynamicly adapting and investing into the quality and sustainability of their venues.”