Presentation
Fira de Barcelona
Although the first general trade show was held in 1920, Barcelona's trade fair tradition dates back to the universal exhibitions of 1888 and 1929.
Fira de Barcelona, constituted officially in 1932, plays an important strategic role for the Catalan and Spanish economy as a platform for economic promotion and international expansion of companies. It is an exceptional meeting and exchange framework for different economic sectors.
The support it provides visitors and the productive fabric increases especially in times of economic crisis, acting as an energiser that gives confidence and proposes initiatives to facilitate participation in shows, which strengthens the future potential of companies.
The institution has full consensus in Catalan society which is aware of the importance of having a modern, agile and competitive trade fair adapted to the challenges of globalisation.
SHOWS. Fira de Barcelona has a portfolio of 80 trade shows (annual, biannual, biennial, triennial and quadrennial), brings together 40,000 companies (direct and represented) and receives three and a half million visitors.
15 of the shows are among the three leading events in their speciality in Europe.
Fira is a leading organiser of Spanish industrial - professional trade shows and its estimated contribution to the economy of the city and its surroundings is over 2,500 million euros, according to estimates made in 2008.
VENUES AND FLOOR SPACE. Fira de Barcelona has 365,000 m2 of exhibition floor space, one of the largest areas in Europe, divided into two exhibition centres: Montjuïc (165,000m2 of exhibition floor space, 50,000 outdoor) and Gran Via (200,000m2 exhibition floor space).
An extension underway in the Gran Via exhibition centre will increase the exhibition space by 40,000 m2, taking the total of the two venues up to 405,000 m2.
INTERNATIONALISM. Internationalism is a priority for Fira that makes a great effort to ensure the presence in its venues of large international shows and events, as well as of foreign exhibitors and visitors, thereby reinforcing its position as one of Europe's best platforms for major sector encounters.
41% of exhibitors and 25% of visitors at the trade shows are international. Fira is represented in 33 countries with a network of delegations abroad.
MANAGEMENT AND GROWTH. The Fira de Barcelona model - publicly owned with autonomous company management - has proven to be very effective.
Its expansion strategy is based on promoting the growth of trade shows and audiences, innovation by launching new shows, increasing the potential of new business lines, attracting major international events, ensuring excellence in service to exhibitors and visitors and committing to activities and products with added value.
