Insight
Taking the temperature
Paul Cook looks at how climate change is impacting exhibitions
f you’ ve been anywhere
I near Europe this summer, you’ ll know that it’ s hot, hot, hot there. Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, according to the EU ' s Copernicus Climate Change Service. With temperatures topping 40 ° C in parts of the continent, transport networks became disrupted, and health warnings were issued across several countries.
This is just one more reason that climate resilience has become such a pressing issue for every sector, including exhibitions.
" From an operational perspective, more frequent periods of extreme weather mean event organisers and venues must be prepared to adapt," says Emma Dengate, global health and safety manager at RX Global.“ This includes reviewing event risk assessments, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring appropriate welfare measures and adverse weather response plans are in place.”
The question is no longer whether venues can cope with extreme weather, but whether events can continue to operate safely and efficiently in a changing climate.
Extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important consideration in venue selection, but it’ s rarely the primary factor determining where exhibitions are held. Instead, it’ s increasingly part of a broader assessment of climate risk, operational resilience, delegate experience, and business continuity.
In Italy, Chiara Rossolimo, director at the International Exhibition Logistics Asociation( IELA), says:“ For most organisers, location, accessibility, venue capacity, cost, and market demand still outweigh climate considerations. However, as heatwaves become more frequent, particularly in Southern Europe, organisers are placing greater emphasis on a venue’ s ability to operate comfortably and reliably during extreme weather.”
Organisers are increasingly asking whether venues can maintain comfortable conditions during prolonged heatwaves, how contractors will be protected during build-up, and whether contingency plans exist should transport or energy infrastructure come under pressure.
Above: Helen Sheppard
Far left: Sven Bossu Left: Emma Dengate
Questions around backup power, cooling capacity, contingency planning, and the flexibility to move activities indoors are increasingly becoming part of procurement discussions.
Helen Sheppard, sustainability director at RX Global, sees this shift with organisers taking a broader view.
“ Climate resilience is becoming an essential part of how exhibitions are planned and delivered,” she says.“ As extreme weather becomes more frequent, organisers and venues are working more closely to ensure events remain safe, resilient and enjoyable for exhibitors and visitors.”
Sheppard continues:“ We’ re seeing venues invest in renewable energy, smarter building design and energy management, while organisers are strengthening operational planning, health and safety, and contingency measures to respond to changing conditions”.
Investing in resilience How resilient are venues then? " Overall, I think convention centres are pretty well prepared for both hot and cold extremes," says Sven Bossu, CEO of AIPC.“ The level of preparedness does depend on the age of the building. Older buildings were constructed at a time when climate change was not really an issue.”
Many of the world’ s leading venues have already invested heavily in climate resilience. Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre uses high-performance glazing, external shading and energy-efficient cooling systems to reduce solar heat gain. New York ' s Javits Center combines automated climate controls with a 6.75-acre green roof that helps regulate internal temperatures. Elsewhere, Fiera Milano and Fira Barcelona have introduced extensive solar installations and intelligent energy management systems that reduce both emissions and cooling demand.
34 Issue 4 2026 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk