Results of UFI’s 9th Global Barometer confirm that the exhibition industry has stabilized despite the sector’s feelings of pessimism for anticipated 2012 results. General economic considerations clearly remain at the top of the agenda in all regions. Conducted in June 2012, the barometer survey results when combined with those of the previous surveys, provides an insight into the impact of the economic crisis on the exhibition industry since the end of 2008.
According to UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, the situation appears rather stable with, on average six companies out of 10 declaring an increase in their turnover for the last three years. Depending on the region, almost 40 per cent of companies have even registered an increase in annual profits of more than 10 per cent. For the past three years this proportion has remained relatively stable. The only new element appears to be the slowdown in the growth of turnover in both the Asia/Pacific region and the Americas during the past year.
Not surprisingly, a large majority of respondents from all regions consider that their business is affected by the “economic crisis” and the significant decrease of confidence outlined six months ago in the Asia/Pacific region is now confirmed. It is important to note, however, that almost half of all companies surveyed believe that this negative impact will end in 2013.
“Apparently our industry is more conservative in their outlook than the results would show to be true,” concludes Paul Woodward, Managing Director, UFI. “The results of our most recent Global Barometer survey confirm that our exhibition media continues to outperform expectations despite the tough economic environment.”
Survey results can be freely downloaded at www.ufi.org/research. The next UFI Global Barometer. Survey will be conducted by UFI in December 2012.
