Research
New edition of jwc flagship report shows industry rebound fading – and the real test beginning
he global exhibition
T industry has moved beyond the post-pandemic rebound phase and into a period of more measured growth. Data from jwc’ s Global Industry Performance Review( GIPR) indicate that, after a strong recovery through 2023 and 2024, industry performance is now stabilising, with growth increasingly shaped by structural factors rather than by calendar normalisation or pent-up demand.
Global exhibition revenues consolidated in 2025 following the recovery year of 2024 and are forecast to grow at an average rate of around 3.3 % through 2030, broadly in line with global GDP. Net rented space is expected to grow more slowly, with clear differences between regions.
Revenue recovery has outpaced volume One of the central findings of the latest jwc report is the uneven nature of the recovery when viewed through different performance indicators. By 2024, most major exhibition markets had surpassed their 2019 revenue levels. Net rented space, however, has recovered more selectively. The report identifies roughly a dozen countries that exceeded pre-pandemic net rented space levels in 2024, compared with a much broader group that has already returned to, or exceeded, 2019 revenues.
This divergence between value and volume is a recurring theme in the data. Revenue growth in recent years has been supported by higher average
space rates, changes in exhibitor mix and a growing contribution from services and other non-space income streams. In contrast, physical expansion has remained constrained in many established markets. jwc’ s insights-based forecasts suggest that this pattern will persist. While revenues continue to grow broadly in line with economic output, net rented space growth is expected to remain modest, particularly in Europe and North America.
“ Europe remains the largest exhibition region by number of events and overall activity, but future growth in net rented space is expected to be limited”
Below: jwc’ s report includes the global‘ Top-20 organiser’ list by types of revenues
Regional growth trajectories are diverging Europe remains the largest exhibition region by number of events and overall activity, but future growth in net rented space is expected to be limited. North America shows a similar pattern of moderate growth, with the US market improving compared with the immediate post-pandemic years but remaining below pre-2019 levels on several operational indicators.
By contrast, the Middle East and Africa are forecast to record the highest growth rates through 2030, supported by continued infrastructure investment and expanding exhibition ecosystems. Latin America has also regained momentum, with several major markets returning to pre-pandemic net rented space levels in 2024.
Asia presents a more complex picture. While the region continues to host some of the world’ s largest exhibitions, the report points to a slowdown in growth relative to earlier expectations.
The event-level analysis reinforces these differences. Large-scale exhibitions remain concentrated in Europe and Asia, while events in North America, Latin America and the Middle East tend to be smaller on average, with implications for event formats and internationalisation strategies.
20 Issue 1 2026 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk