Will the Global Exhibitions Boom Continue into 2026 and Beyond?
Recent half-year results from Informa have once again put the global exhibitions industry firmly in the spotlight. With 20%+ growth across revenues, operating profit, earnings per share and free cash flow, and more than £2bn in first-half revenues for the first time, the question many exhibitors and suppliers are now asking is simple: is this momentum sustainable into 2026 and beyond?
From our perspective at Access Displays, the answer is less about short-term financial headlines and more about the long-term role that live, international B2B events play in business growth.
What Informa’s Results Really Tell Us
The numbers themselves are impressive. Upgraded full-year guidance, operating margins approaching 30%, and more than £3bn of committed 2025 revenue (with over £0.5bn already booked into 2026) demonstrate strong visibility. But beyond the financial performance, several deeper themes emerge.
Live B2B Events Are Proving Their Value
Informa’s Live B2B Events division delivered 8.5% underlying revenue growth in the first half of 2025. This is not a recovery spike — it reflects sustained demand for category-leading events that provide access to global supply chains, high-value content and face-to-face decision-makers.
For exhibitors, this reinforces a consistent truth: digital tools support marketing, but live exhibitions accelerate trust, shorten sales cycles and create international connections in a way no digital-only strategy can match.
Global Expansion Is Driving the Next Phase of Growth
Informa’s increased focus on India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East signals where the next era of exhibition-led opportunity lies. New launches such as Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh and deeper UAE collaboration reflect how events are following global economic expansion.
For exhibitors, this brings three essential realities:
- More opportunities to meet buyers in emerging markets
- Greater competition for attention on a global stage
- A growing need for consistent, high-quality stand presentation across regions
In this context, modularity, planning and brand consistency in stand design become strategic advantages.
Technology Supports Exhibiting — It Doesn’t Replace It
Informa’s rollout of its proprietary AI agent, Elysia, illustrates how technology is being used to enhance events, not replace them. AI-driven matchmaking, personalised content and deeper insight all support exhibitors — but the physical environment remains the anchor point.
The most successful exhibitors blend:
- Data-driven pre-show targeting
- Well-designed, adaptable physical stands
- Post-show processes that maximise momentum
Technology amplifies effectiveness, but the stand is still where meaningful engagement happens.
So, Will Growth Continue into 2026 and Beyond?
All signs point to continued growth — but selectively. Exhibitions will thrive where events serve defined industries, provide international reach and consistently deliver measurable commercial value. Expectations will rise, and exhibitors will need to be more strategic in how they present themselves.
A stand is no longer just a physical presence — it is a brand statement on an international stage.
What This Means for Exhibitors (and Their Suppliers)
At Access Displays, we see our role as more than a stand supplier. With global expansion and higher visitor expectations shaping the market, exhibitors need partners who understand:
- International exhibition standards
- The pressures of multi-territory exhibiting
- How stand design, logistics and reuse strategies support ROI
The continued success of global organisers highlights a clear truth: exhibiting remains one of the most powerful tools for international growth — when executed well.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the opportunity is significant. The challenge is ensuring every appearance on the global stage truly counts.
