Interview
How IEG is blazing an expo trail in Saudi, sports markets and digitalisation
EW Italian Exhibition Group’ s CEO, Corrado Peraboni tells EW about the group’ s growing business, priorities and current market challenges
EW – Firstly, how is IEG Group performing in 2025? Tell us about the results of both events and congress activities in the year to date and your expectations for performance for the rest of the year. Our business increased further during the first half of 2025 with double-digit growth compared to the same period in 2024 for every key performance indicator. We have already sold all the square metres budgeted for the year and, therefore, despite not having any biennials in even-numbered years, we will close with higher figures than the previous year.
EW – There has been strong acquisition activity, with strategic transactions in 2025. Tell us about that and upcoming key shows abroad. We have tried to strengthen several business lines: a new leading event in Brazil in the agrifood field( foreign
trade shows), a service company in Italy to complete our offer, and two shows acquired in Italy( domestic portfolio). In the Middle East, we are now leaders in the sports sector with our event in Dubai, and November, in addition to the jewellery show in JV with Informa, will see the first edition of Myplant, a replica of the big event we have been organising for years in Milan.
Above: Corrado Peraboni
“ We are freeing up resources from low added value functions and assigning them to tasks that are more valuable to us and our customers”
Left: Riyadh Muscle Show and SIGEP Asia
Dubai is now well established in our portfolio and growth in Singapore is also underway. We are proud to have been the first Italian organiser to hold our own trade show in Saudi Arabia last February.
EW – With international recognition through the recent UFI Digital Innovation Award, tell us about the importance of digital developments and the role of technology and, maybe, AI in future strategies across the group. This recognition from UFI has made us extremely happy. We started the project during the pandemic and we are now beginning to reap the rewards, not only in terms of additional revenue but also in efficiency. For example, we are freeing up resources from low added value functions and assigning them to tasks that are more valuable to us and our customers. After numerous doubts, some of which unfounded, such as fears about digital events, our industry has understood the impact that technology will have on our work and how to turn it to our advantage.
EW – As both a leading organiser and venue provider, IEG is in a unique position to reflect on trade fair international market trends. What are the key issues of the moment and what is on the horizon both for organisers and venue managers in the near future? Several changes are underway or looming over our industry: the redesign of international supply chains and their impact on international trade shows; the return of tariffs; the rediscovery of large international organisers in neighbouring markets( have you ever seen so many trade shows in Italy organised by German companies?). And then there is the need to find new talent to replace professionals made obsolete by digitalisation, and the crisis of organisers with singleproduct portfolios. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 5 2025 23