The UK exhibitions industry generated £11.7 billion in total economic output in 2025 and supported more than 127,000 jobs, according to new research published by the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), the collective body representing AEO, AEV and ESSA.
The latest findings highlight the growing economic importance of exhibitions and business events across the UK, while reinforcing the sector’s role in supporting investment, trade, employment and growth across strategically important industries.
UK Exhibitions Industry Supports £11.7 Billion in Economic Activity
The EIA research found that 1,154 exhibitions were held across the UK in 2025, attracting almost 6.8 million visitors and around 139,000 exhibitors.
Together, these exhibitions generated approximately £5.3 billion in direct spending, with the wider economic impact extending significantly beyond exhibition venues and organisers.
According to the research, every £1 directly spent on exhibitions generates an additional £1.23 in expenditure across the wider UK economy. The study also found that each exhibitor supported an average of £84,493 in total economic output during the year.
The figures demonstrate how exhibitions contribute to a broad network of businesses, including venues, contractors, hotels, restaurants, transport providers, tourism businesses and suppliers.
Exhibitions Support Key UK Industries
The UK exhibitions industry is also playing an important role in promoting British capabilities across major domestic and international markets.
Major events such as Farnborough International Airshow bring together organisations from the global aerospace, defence and space industries, while MACH supports the advanced manufacturing sector and All-Energy provides a platform for businesses and professionals across clean energy.
Meanwhile, events such as London Book Fair contribute to the UK’s wider creative economy by connecting publishers, authors, technology providers and other industry professionals.
The EIA said the exhibitions ecosystem should therefore be viewed not only as an important economic sector in its own right, but also as an enabler of growth across some of the industries identified as strategically important within the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.
New Research Strengthens Case for Government Support
The findings arrive as the UK exhibitions sector continues to call for stronger and more coordinated government support.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee recently concluded its inquiry into major events, examining the challenges facing the industry and opportunities for future growth. The inquiry was launched in July 2025 and was led by Dame Caroline Dinenage.
Among its recommendations was the creation of a standalone, long-term national business events strategy designed to recognise the contribution of exhibitions and business events to the wider UK economy.
The recommendation is particularly significant as the government seeks to stimulate economic growth and strengthen key sectors across the country.
Industry Calls for a National Business Events Strategy
More than 214 trade associations, venues, organisers and suppliers subsequently wrote to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, calling for the recommendations from the Committee’s report to be fully implemented.
A central demand from the industry is for a long-term national business events strategy that acknowledges the role exhibitions can play in supporting the government’s industrial and economic priorities.
Industry representatives argue that exhibitions provide a platform for companies to generate new business, develop international relationships, showcase innovation and strengthen supply chains.
They also create economic activity across multiple regions rather than concentrating benefits solely in major cities.
NEC Chair Highlights Role of Business Events
Ian Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at the NEC, Chair of AEV and current EIA Chair, said the latest figures demonstrate the significant contribution exhibitions make to both the UK economy and industrial strategy.
Taylor highlighted the potential of business events to support the government’s growth ambitions, while stressing that the industry requires appropriate backing to maximise that contribution.
He pointed to events such as Farnborough International Airshow as examples of how major business events can stimulate investment and generate opportunities for supply chains across the country.
According to Taylor, such economic activity is not limited to a small number of major events, with exhibitions taking place across the UK throughout the year.
Exhibitions Create Wider Economic Benefits
The EIA research provides a clearer picture of the wider economic value generated by exhibitions.
While direct visitor and exhibitor spending provides an immediate economic contribution, exhibitions also generate indirect and induced impacts. Spending by exhibitors, visitors and organisers supports suppliers and businesses throughout the wider economy.
Hotels, hospitality businesses, transport operators, production companies, exhibition contractors and other service providers all benefit from the activity generated around exhibitions.
This wider impact makes the exhibitions industry an important contributor to regional economic development as well as national growth.
UK Exhibition Sector Poised to Support Future Growth
With more than a thousand exhibitions taking place annually, the UK has an established business events infrastructure capable of supporting domestic industries and attracting international participation.
The latest EIA research suggests that strengthening the sector could provide additional opportunities for economic growth, international trade and investment.
The industry now hopes the government will respond to the evidence by adopting the recommendations of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and developing a dedicated national strategy for business events.
The full EIA report provides a detailed breakdown of the exhibitions industry’s direct, indirect and induced impacts, covering economic output, GDP and employment.
With £11.7 billion in total economic output, 127,000 jobs, 6.8 million visitors and 139,000 exhibitors recorded in 2025, the research underlines the scale and significance of the UK exhibitions industry and its potential to support the country’s wider economic ambitions.
