June 3rd is Global Exhibitions Day 2026

The Italian fair ecosystem confirms its role as a strategic asset for the Made-in-Italy industry, contributing to the country’s second ranking in Europe and fourth globally in terms of size, with over 4.2 million square metres of exhibition space. 

During the 11th Global Exhibition Day, promoted by UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), held worldwide on June 3rd, AEFI and IT-EX have launched the social media campaign “Fiere, motore del Made in Italy” (Fairs, engine of Made in Italy) with an original video that celebrates the industry that is bringing to life approximately 900 events in 2026 alone (202 in Italy and 276 abroad). 

According to Prometeia data, the industry generates a business impact of 22.5 billion euro a year (0.7% of Italy’s GDP), triggering a virtuous leverage where every euro spent by visitors leads to 2.5 euro for the local territory.  

Fairs offer companies a concrete opportunity for accelerated growth, as expressed by the global theme “Exhibitions drive opportunities”: exhibitor companies indeed register development rates that are almost double compared to those that do not participate in fairs.