A flock of visitors to UK exhibitions

The UK exhibitions industry is attracting growing numbers of visitors and exhibitors – both domestic and international – according to figures just published by the Exhibition Industry Federation in its report, The UK Exhibition Industry – The Facts, Volume 7.

The EIF’s research shows there were 10.3 million visitors to UK exhibitions in 1994, an increase of eight per cent on 1993 and 12 per cent on 1992.

The proportion of international visitors at UK shows was the highest ever, at ten per cent, while the proportion of international exhibitors was 18.3 per cent.

The survey, which questioned exhibition organisers and venues with at least 2,000 square metres of space, also found that the number of shows taking place was up to 691 – an increase of 12 per cent on the total recorded for 1993.

The size of exhibitions was down on previous years, with an average of 7,250 square metres for each show in 1994, compared with 7,550 in 1993.

The research comes as debate rages over whether the UK, and particularly London, has enough exhibition space to cope with rising demand and to compete with the investment in large purpose-built centres elsewhere in Europe.