#FiraDriver

Fira de Barcelona is revving up

Our country, like much of the world, is experiencing the serious effects of the covid-19 pandemic which is causing suffering, disrupting our way of life, work and relationships and has opened up questions about the future of an advanced, increasingly technological and global society.

It is clear that, above all else, the priority is to save lives and make progress in the fight against the virus. We will not tire of highlighting the work of health professionals and many other industries for their commitment and solidarity. This is also how Fira de Barcelona has seen it; in line with its social commitment, by making its Montjuïc and Gran Via exhibition centres, together with its organisational experience, available to institutions.

In this context, every effort must be made and all resources must be used to overcome the serious effects of the pandemic on businesses and employment, with very worrying forecasts for a country whose productive fabric is largely made up of SMEs and the self-employed, and in which tourism and trade carry so much weight. Without economic recovery there will be no social normality and adequate levels of inclusion and well-being cannot be guaranteed.

By definition, fairs are business and spaces where relationships are forged between exhibitors and visitors, where knowledge and commercial opportunities are generated, with a clear multiplier effect on many industries. Under the circumstances, Fira de Barcelona, ​​like all fairs around the world, has had to reschedule its fair calendar, with the consequent economic and social repercussions.   

In this sense, Fira is working actively with the aim of being able to resume its activity after the summer and foresee the scenarios of what will undoubtedly be a new trade fair reality, studying, through close collaboration with experts, the adoption of measures, such as basic physical distancing, to hold events with efficient prevention rules, thinking, above all, of those of a professional nature (B2B), with an indisputable leadership in the Spanish market. Fairs such as Valmont Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, Alimentaria, Smart City Expo or Expoquimia are clear examples, in their respective fields, of the relevant role they can play in the current situation. 

Fira de Barcelona will form part of the reactivation with the desire to be, more than ever, a multi-industry economic engine, promoting the activity of companies, professionals and entrepreneurs, cooperating with public and private initiatives to overcome the situation. Hence the importance of enhancing the role of fairs as one of the main levers for the much needed economic and social recovery, and of keeping it in mind in both support and de-escalation plans.

Fira wants to be, as always, a place for meeting, innovation and progress to help face new challenges. The recent agreement to extend the holding of MWC Barcelona until 2024 is a big step in this direction.

Pau Relat
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fira de Barcelona  

#CommitmentFira

Fira de Barcelona has made its facilities and knowledge available to institutions, entities and society as a whole to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Go to Fira de Barcelona’s commitment against covid-19