The UK exhibitions industry is bouncing back from Covid-19 and recovering better than many other geographies – the latest research from the global association for the exhibitions industry, UFI, has shown.
The results show that UK exhibitions are performing well but highlight different concerns for organisers here to the rest of the world. The biggest pressure for the UK industry for the coming year was the national economy and global economic pressures, whereas worldwide results prioritised issues within management structures and digitalisation.
The UFI Global Barometer is a bi-annual report analysing market trends and pressures from the global association for the exhibitions industry.
The 30th edition of the survey, concluded in January, and provides insights from 367 companies, across 56 countries and regions. It was conducted in collaboration with 21 UFI member associations.
The report reveals global findings as well as a country-specific breakdown of results.
UK specific results showed:
- Operating profits are better than 2019 for more than half of UK organisers (compared to 31% globally)
- 90% of companies expect normal levels of operations from June 2023 (only Brazil, Turkey and the US expected better and compared to 80% globally)
- average revenue for participating UK companies was 104% of 2019 levels (compared to Europe 85% an world 74%)
- Key issue for UK organisers: state of the economy in home market and global economic developments (both 18%), followed by internal management challenges and digitisation (both 15%).