Logistics
constantly changing environment,” say DSV’ s regional development director Garcia Newell and head of network development, Laura Weiß.
“ A clear trend across all projects is the growing demand for tailor made logistics solutions that go far beyond transportation alone,” they note.
“ This includes detailed advance planning with organisers and venues, the intelligent use of multi modal transport options, and flexible on site support during build up and breakdown phases. Creativity often lies in delivering seamless operations despite tight timelines, restricted venue access or last minute changes.”
They give the example of DSV’ s work on WHX Dubai, which took place in early February and required a highly coordinated logistics approach due to the scale of international exhibitor participation and very tight build up schedules. The focus was on detailed advance planning and early alignment on freight flows and delivery windows. On site, teams provided operational support for build up and breakdown processes, allowing exhibitors to focus on delivering the event experience.
In the midterm, in the US, costs and regulation will continue to be the biggest trends and ultimately obstacles to growth, Russo believes.“ The industry should be looking at creative solutions to make it less stressful, more uniform for international exhibitors to participate in a trade show,” she says.“ The US continues to be an excellent market in which to do business. However, many other forms of marketing could pose increasing threats to the overall exhibitor base for any industry. Organisers must focus on programmes aimed at supporting cost reduction.”
A fresh take from Asia One of the fastest growing markets across all sectors globally is India. We asked India-based logistics specialists R. E. Rogers for their views on market shifts.
Chairman and MD Ravinder Sethi tells EW India signed 15 major Free Trade Agreements( FTAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements( CEPAs) in 2025 – 26 and they mark significant gateways opening for the logistics market. Infrastructure development is also at a peak in India, he explains, with the logistics segment identified as a key driver. This includes new seaports, airports, air cargo hubs, Free Trade Warehousing Zones, rail networks, and enhanced waterways for domestic transport.
R. E. Rogers has concluded exhibition projects for Plastindia 2026 in New Delhi, Imtex 2026, and India Wood 2026 in Bengaluru –“ three mammoth events reflecting the return of the exhibition industry in full flow,” says Sethi.
Covid taught his team to broaden their exhibition base and R. E. Rogers now has many contracts on the live events side, supporting big music shows with infrastructure expertise. They have included: Linkin Park and Def Leppard.“ Our teams provided comprehensive support, including stage infrastructure, warehousing, transportation, stagehands, and equipment.” Sethi adds that such events reflect the massive increase of interest in India now by the live events industry.
Transferable skills from exhibitions, Sethi points out, include: traffic management at venues; supply of special equipment and operators, in-house customs clearance experience at venues and on-site operations working 24x7.
Sethi also confirms the economic ripple effects in India from the war in the Gulf. They include, he says, higher freight costs, fuel price volatility, longer lead times and higher insurance costs.
Water flow will always find a route, and likewise exhibition logistics, it seems.
“ Early contingency planning with buffer timelines, long term storage, alternative ports, greater collaboration with carriers, shippers / forwarders to secure capacity are now in play,” he says.
That is not to minimise the challenges. The Strait of Hormuz has become the global nerve centre influencing fuel availability and pricing dynamics. Only a political solution can bring back normalcy, Sethi believes.
Meanwhile, the requirements in exhibition and event logistics continue to grow in complexity, driven by increasingly international formats, shorter build up and breakdown windows, and rising expectations around transparency and reliability. There are clearly plenty of challenges, but plenty of skill and creativity in the sector to rise to them. EW
30 Issue 3 2026 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk