AFE approves its accounts and annual report at its General Assembly, forecasting an excellent 2026 for the Spanish trade fair sector.

Likewise, the conclusions of the economic impact study of the Spanish trade fair sector were presented. The study, carried out by Oxford Economics using 2024 data, estimates a total direct, indirect and induced impact of €13.6 billion, a contribution to GDP of €6.9 billion, and the generation of 124,400 direct and indirect jobs.

After the Assembly, the President of AFE, Xabier Basañez, stated: “The preliminary information available to us allows us to confirm that 2025 has once again been an extraordinary year for the trade fair industry in Spain, and everything indicates that 2026 will maintain this upward trend. The incorporation of nine additional members gives the association greater strength and representation within the trade fair landscape in our country.”

Finally, thanks to the celebration of FITUR and the presence of numerous representatives from Mexico at this year’s edition, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mexican Association of Trade Fair, Exhibition and Congress Professionals (AMPROFEC) and the Spanish Association of Trade Fairs (AFE) was formalised. Through this agreement, both organisations commit to establishing a strategic alliance aimed at promoting their joint development and strengthening the trade fair industry in both countries. The document was signed by Julio César Bojórquez, President of AMPROFEC 2024–2026, Jorge Arizmendi, President-elect of AMPROFEC 2026–2028, and Xabier Basañez, President of AFE.

The Spanish Association of Trade Fairs (AFE), a non-profit organisation founded in 1964, has 53 member organisations and represents 90% of trade fair activity in Spain. Spain is among the leading European countries in the trade fair sector, alongside Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.