IELA
IELA’ s global community reunites at 40th anniversary congress
Industry association IELA reports on its recent milestone meeting in Geneva and shares some thoughts from the‘ happy madhouse’
n an industry built on
I precision, timing, and movement, the 40th IELA( International Exhibition Logistics Association) Congress, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland in June, stood as a reminder of something equally vital: connection.
Running 25-28 June, the congress gathered over 350 exhibition logistics professionals from every corner of the globe. Delegates not only came to celebrate a milestone moment in the history of the association, but to reaffirm the spirit that has defined IELA for four decades. Besides a
congress, the gathering was a reunion and also a think tank for the future of exhibition logistics. The theme was‘ 40 Years of Excellence’ – a nod to history and a call to action. Sudhir Dhavan, IELA chairperson, opened the plenary with a heartfelt welcome, reminding attendees that IELA is“ more than a network; we are a family … united by trust, collaboration, and a shared love for what we do”.
The IELA congress was set up both for newcomers finding their footing in the industry and for veterans passing the torch and passing on their experience.
What makes the IELA Congress so essential isn’ t only the content, but also the context. It offers something irreplaceable: face-to-face exchange. The audience attended sessions and keynote presentations, but at the same time, they shared stories, debated challenges, and sparked ideas that will ripple across the
28 Issue 4 2025 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk