Rachel Parker, CEO of the Association of Event Venues (AEV) and Director of the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), discusses the UK exhibitions sector’s strongest growth since 2015.
As busy as we all are, it’s important to remember the impact we have on the UK economy. Our industry is remarkably resilient, and the data confirms that. Last month, the EIA published the latest Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions (SASIE) report – providing the authoritative market intelligence for the UK exhibitions and wider business events sector. The research suggests the UK exhibitions industry is now in its healthiest position for more than a decade.
According to the latest SASIE analysis, the sector is now worth an estimated £68.7 billion to the UK economy, reinforcing its position as a major driver of trade, innovation, and tourism. One of the most encouraging findings is the sharp rise in exhibition activity during 2025.
As UK event professionals, we hosted an estimated total 1,154 exhibitions and conferences with exhibition elements across major venues in 2025, attracting around 6.8 million visitors. The total number of UK exhibitions increased significantly compared with 2024, reaching the highest level recorded since 2015. This recovery is particularly notable given the continued economic pressures, including inflation, global uncertainty, and the longer-term effects of Brexit.
As an industry, we must continue to champion the vital role exhibitions play in supporting local economies and innovative industries and we’re grateful for the commitment of organisers, suppliers, and venues alike.
UK exhibitions and business events should be viewed as strategic infrastructure for economic growth, helping drive investment, create jobs, and strengthen the UK’s international competitiveness in the years ahead. We’re asking government to commission a UK business events strategy, formally recognising the sector’s economic role and aligning it with the government’s industrial and trade priorities.
We encourage you to read, use, and share the report widely. It’s available at Eventsindustryalliance.com