On the occasion of the 11th edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED), celebrated worldwide on 3 June 2026, AEFI (Associazione Esposizioni e Fiere Italiane) and IT-EX (Italian Association of International Exhibitions) launched the social media campaign “Trade fairs, a driving force for Made in Italy”.
The initiative includes the release of a promotional video highlighting the strategic role of Italy’s exhibition industry in supporting businesses, promoting internationalisation and contributing to national economic growth.
With around 900 events scheduled for 2026, including 276 international and 202 national trade fairs, the Italian exhibition sector remains one of the most significant worldwide, ranking Italy fourth globally and second in Europe in terms of exhibition capacity.
The 2026 edition of GED, organised by UFI (Unione Fiere Internazionali), is centred on the theme “Exhibitions drive opportunities”, highlighting the contribution of trade fairs to business competitiveness and local economic development. Each year, the sector generates an estimated economic impact of EUR 22.5 billion, equivalent to 0.7% of Italy’s GDP.
Trade fairs are also a key instrument for promoting Italian exports, supported by the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). In 2025, incoming buyer programmes were organised at 128 Italian trade fairs, involving more than 11,000 international business operators. In addition, 234 national pavilions were organised in 60 countries, with the participation of over 6,000 Italian companies.
Watch the video: Global Exhibitions Day 2026: trade fairs, a driving force for Made in Italy
