Italy placed fourth globally for exhibition space size

Italy ranks fourth worldwide and second in Europe in total exhibition area, covering more than 4.2 million square metres. By 2026 the country will host around 900 fairs – 276 international and 202 national – across the peninsula. The sector is promoted as a driver of the Made‑in‑Italy economy. A campaign by AEFI and It‑Ex for Global Exhibition Day highlights that fairs generate an annual economic impact of €22.5 billion, about 0.7 % of national GDP. Companies that exhibit grow almost twice as fast as those that do not, and each euro spent by visitors yields a €2.5 return.