Paris, France — The availability of exhibition space remains a fundamental driver of the global exhibition industry. UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the 2025 edition of its World Map of Exhibition Venues, offering the most comprehensive overview of exhibition venue capacity worldwide. The research was conducted in collaboration with jwc GmbH.
Beyond global and regional data, the report provides detailed profiles of 22 markets that each offer more than 300,000 sqm of gross indoor exhibition space — delivering an authoritative benchmark for industry planning and development.
UFI CEO and Managing Director Chris Skeith OBE says: “Exhibition venues are a key component of our industry’s growth, and this year’s World Map once again highlights just how dynamic this landscape has become. The Asia-Pacific region continues to outpace Europe in total exhibition space for the second consecutive year — a sign of shifting global momentum. The ongoing investment in venue development worldwide reflects the industry’s confidence in the future of face-to-face business.”
Jochen Witt, President and CEO of jwc GmbH, adds: “The steady expansion of venue capacity demonstrates the resilience and long-term confidence driving the exhibition industry globally. By capturing these developments, this report highlights where new opportunities are emerging and how investments in modern infrastructure are shaping the future of exhibitions across all regions.”
This global census covers all exhibition venues with a minimum of 5,000 sqm of gross indoor exhibition space as of the end of 2024. Key findings include:
- Asia-Pacific now accounts for 38.1% of global venue capacity, surpassing Europe (36.3%) for the second consecutive year. North America ranks third with 17.2%.
- China maintains its position as the world’s largest exhibition market, representing 30.9% of total venue capacity, followed by the USA (14.3%) and Germany (7.1%). Together, the top five markets — China, USA, Germany, Italy, and France — represent 63.4% of global indoor exhibition space
- Mega venues — facilities with over 100,000 sqm of indoor exhibition space — now total 81 worldwide. Europe and Asia-Pacific share the lead with 38 each, while North America hosts 4 and the Middle East & Africa 1.
- Newly included venues in this edition are located in Barbados, Jamaica, and Uganda, extending the global scope of the data set.
The 2025 UFI World Map of Exhibition Venues provides detailed insights for these 22 markets: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In line with UFI’s mission to provide vital data to the entire industry, the full World Map of Exhibition Venues report is available, free of charge, on the UFI website at: www.ufi.org/knowledge-hub. It is also available at www.jwc.eu.com.
UFI and jwc extend their gratitude to the following organisations for their contributions to this edition or previous editions: ABEOC Brasil (Brazil), AEFI (Italy), AEV (United Kingdom), AFE (Spain), AFEP (Peru), AFIDA (Colombia), AIFEC (Colombia), AMEREF (Mexico), AMPROFEC (Mexico), APPCE (Panama), AOCA (Argentina), AUDOCA (Uruguay), AUMA (Germany), BDO (Portugal), BEIA (New Zealand), BSG (UFI/BSG Asia-Pacific report), CAEM (Canada), CENTREX (Central Europe), CLC VECTA (the Netherlands), EECA (Egypt), FAIRLINK (Scandinavia), FEBELUX (Belgium/Luxemburg), Malta Tourism Authority (Malta), MediaAudit (Finland), PCEI (Poland), Qatar Tourism (Qatar), Serbia Convention Bureau (Serbia), TOBB – Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (Türkiye), UBRAFE (Brazil) and UNIMEV (France).
About UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry
UFI is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents more than 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally and also works closely with more than 72 national and regional association members. Close to 900 member organisations in 90 countries and regions worldwide are presently signed up as members. Over 900 international trade fairs proudly bear the UFI-approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities.
For more information, please contact: UFI Headquarters: Email: media@ufi.org Tel: +33 (0)1 46 39 75 00 or www.ufi.org
