Global Exhibitions Day (GED) 2026 brought the exhibitions industry together June 3 under the theme “Exhibitions Drive Opportunities.”
The 11th edition of the campaign highlighted the role exhibitions play in workforce development, face-to-face business, sustainability, market access, and customer engagement.
North America ties GED to advocacy
In North America, industry groups used Global Exhibitions Day to connect exhibitions with advocacy and economic-impact messaging.
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) brought more than 200 business and professional events industry leaders and advocates to Capitol Hill for its Legislative Action Day. Meanwhile, The Exhibitor Advocate shared economic-impact information about the industry in North America.
Other North American activity included messages from the Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM), Emerald, Kallman Worldwide, Messe Frankfurt North America, and La Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales en Exposiciones, Ferias y Convenciones (AMPROFEC).
UFI conference adds global focus
Global Exhibitions Day also coincided with the UFI European Conference in İzmir, Türkiye, which drew more than 400 attendees. UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, created a GED video with conference participants to mark the day onsite.
“Seeing Global Exhibitions Day celebrated worldwide is a reminder that our industry is in the business of making connections happen,” says Panittha Buri, president of UFI. “People, ideas, opportunities, and businesses crossing borders, it’s networking on a global scale, with measurable results.”
Associations and organizers support campaign
GED 2026 drew support from more than 75 national and international industry associations. Major organizers, including Clarion Events, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa, Messe Frankfurt, and RX, also collaborated on messaging about the role exhibitions play in workforce development, sustainability, and business growth.
Around the world, industry groups marked the day through events, videos, social campaigns, student outreach, sustainability projects, and member activities.
The next Global Exhibitions Day will take place Wednesday, June 2, 2027.
Global Exhibitions Day is an annual industry campaign supported by UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and associations, organizers, venues, and suppliers across the exhibitions sector. For more info, visit www.globalexhibitionsday.org.
Press release submitted by UFI. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
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