Pau Relat is reappointed as Chairman of the Governing Board
Fira Barcelona breaks records and reaches the 300 million revenue milestone
Historic results for Fira de Barcelona, which reaches the milestone of 300 million euros in revenue in 2024 and a record EBITDA of 53 million. Unprecedented figures recorded by the institution in a year that has been extraordinary in terms of the size and nature of the events held, and which allow it to look forward with good prospects to 2025, which will be a year of major strategic projects, such as managing the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Fira continues to beat records in terms of turnover and activity. It expects to close 2024 with revenues of 300 million euros, an increase of 16% compared with 2023, and an Ebitda of 53 million euros, 24% more than the previous year, achieving a pre-tax profit of around 20 million. These are great results thanks to the number and volume of events held at the Montjuïc, Gran Via and Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB) venues. In total, 270 fairs, congresses and various events have taken place, in addition to those jointly organised in other countries.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of Fira Barcelona, Pau Relat, and the General Manager, Constantí Serrallonga, today presented these extraordinary results, as well as the forecasts for 2025, during the meeting of the General Council of the institution, which is chaired by the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, and whose vice-presidents are the Minister of Business and Labour of the Government of Catalonia, Miquel Sàmper, and the President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Josep Santacreu. A meeting in which the renewal of Pau Relat as Chairman of the Governing Board and that of three other members of this management body was also approved: Manel Vallet, Mar Alarcón and Helena Guardans, whose term of office also ended this year.
Historic results
Pau Relat highlighted “these magnificent results, which consolidate the institution’s path of growth, reflect its economic strength, allow it to gain international presence and strengthen its leading position in the competitive European trade fair market”. Likewise, he expressed his satisfaction with the renewal of his position, which he has held since 2018, driving, after the difficult episode of the pandemic, one of the most successful stages of the institution. In this regard, he looks forward to his new term of office “with the enthusiasm of continuing to advance in Fira’s major expansion projects to strengthen its legacy and continue to be a powerful economic and social powerhouse of the city and the region”.
For Constantí Serrallonga, “2024 has been an extraordinary year, with record revenues and great activity, both in the number and importance of the events held at our venues, which prove the success of our strategic vision, expertise, excellence and joint effort in a year in with new challenges for the future such as the management of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 2025, in addition to the large infrastructure projects already underway. This important outcome” – he emphasised – “confirms that Fira has a solid and recurring portfolio of trade shows and congresses, many of them world-renowned, and a great capacity to attract new leading events, which choose Barcelona and Fira to grow”.
Big trade fairs for technology, food, and health
In 2024, major events were held such as MWC Barcelona, Alimentaria & Hostelco, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), Smart City Expo World Congress, Seafood Expo Global, Hispack and the congresses of the European Societies of Medical Oncology (ESMO), Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and Intensive Medicine (ESICM), among others. Other highlights include the meetings of hi-tech companies such as Gartner, SAP, HP and VMware; the McDonald’s global convention, the United Nations Ocean Decade Conference, the UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination and the editions of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, CineEurope, Shoptalk Europe, Construmat, IOT Solutions World Congress, Barcelona Wine Week, Graphispag, Liber, Barcelona Gastronomic Forum and the Manga and Comic Show, the Education Show, B-Travel, Bizbarcelona and the Saló de l’Ocupació (Recruitment Fair).
Abroad, in addition to managing two exhibition venues in China, Fira has jointly organised 13 shows: Smart City Expo in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, the US and China and also firs editions in Saudi Arabia and Chile; as well as Alimentos Cuba and the launching editions of IOT Solutions World Congress and Tomorrow.Blue Economy in Brazil, Tomorrow.Mobility in Mexico and Alimentaria in China.
New shows in 2025
The expectations for 2025 are very positive. The institution expects to exceed the turnover levels of 300 million euros in a year in which, despite the fact that no triennial show is due to be held, major events are scheduled, notably in the fields of technology, food and health, such as MWC Barcelona, ISE, Smart City Expo World Congress, Seafood Expo Global and the world congresses on Lung Cancer (WCLC), Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), Cardiovascular Radiology (CIRSE), Rheumatology (EULAR) and Nuclear Medicine (EANM), among others.
Among the new events scheduled feature Vitafoods Europe and Labelexpo Europe, the world’s leading events in the industries of nutraceutical foods and label and packaging printing, respectively, which will be added to Fira’s recurring portfolio from 2025. The institution will also take over the organisation of the Padel World Summit and the Vibra fair, on women’s well-being and health.
Next year’s calendar will also include Automobile Barcelona, Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, Piscina Barcelona, Infarma, CineEurope, Shoptalk Europe, Barcelona Wine Week, IOT Solutions World Congress, Ibtm World and Gastronomic Forum Barcelona, as well as the corporate meetings of the multinationals Gartner, HP, Workday and McKinsey. In 2025, the usual editions of Caravaning, Boat Show, Comic and Manga, B-Travel, the Education Show, Bizbarcelona and Employment Show, among others, will return.
On the other hand, a great deal of activity is also expected abroad with 15 events scheduled, further consolidating its international expansion, especially through the editions of Smart City Expo in other countries, which in addition to its editions in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, will hold its first event in Malaysia. Mexico Hospitality Expo by Hostelco and Tomorrow.Mobility Brasilia will also be newcomers. Alimentaria and Tomorrow.Mobility in China and IOT Solutions World Congress and Tomorrow Blue Economy in Brazil will round off the calendar, as well as managing the fair venues of Nanchang and Xuzhou in China.
Prospects for grow
Fira Barcelona looks ahead to 2025 with great major infrastructure projects in progress and prospects for growth. From January onwards, it will take over the management of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, ushering in a new stage aimed at promoting and diversifying the activity of this great venue with the aim that, in addition to hosting major motor competitions such as the Formula 1 and MotoGP Grand Prix, it will be the setting for fairs, congresses and musical and cultural events, as well as a hub for the development of the sustainable mobility industry.
Regarding the remodelling project the Montjuïc venue, it is expected that during 2025 the architectural firms chosen to carry out the first phase of the works will be selected, which will transform it into a modern, urban and unique trade fair space in Europe, combining trade show activity with new uses for the general public and have permanent spaces for innovation in trade fair-related sectors. A significant part of this refurbishment is expected to be completed in 2029, coinciding with the centenary of the 1929 International Exposition.
Precisely, to commemorate this important anniversary, the Centenary Commission has been created, comprised of representatives of the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and Fira itself, which aims to define and promote initiatives and events that will contribute to renewing the city’s innovative and transformative spirit.
In addition, the construction works of Hall Zero, the new hall of the Gran Via venue, continue to make progress. Once completed, it will expand the venue to reach 300,000 m2 of gross exhibition area, consolidating it as one of the most important exhibition facilities in the world. The future building, with an area of 60,000 m2, will stand out for its design, versatility, technology, and sustainability and is expected to be operational in 2027.
Sustainability
During 2024, Fira de Barcelona has taken new steps in its commitment to the sustainable development of its activities. It has obtained ISO 50001, the most important certification in the world in energy efficiency, in addition to ISO 14001 in environmental management. Furthermore, it has continued to promote actions to reduce water, energy and waste consumption.
Barcelona, December 13th 2024
Images available here
Fira de Barcelona Communications Department
Amparo Losada / Salva Bilurbina
+34 93 233 26 80 / 93 233 26 59
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