Paris, 27th July: Earlier this week, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released its latest Global Barometer research, highlighting the strong impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the global exhibition industry in 2020. However, it is gradually improving, primarily driven by physical exhibitions and business events.

According to the survey, less than 10% of companies expect “no activity” for the last quarter of 2021, compared with 53% in January. Nearly half of companies expect “normal activity”, compared with 12% in January. The results vary by region, depending on the currently confirmed or expected “reopening dates” for exhibitions. The majority of companies in all regions expect both local and national exhibitions to open again in the coming 12 months, and international exhibitions to reopen in the first half of 2022.