Tenth edition of Global Exhibitions Day celebrated worldwide
Global Exhibitions Day theme 'Exhibitions Unleash Potential' reached audiences in over 100 countries and regions. Next year's GED will take place on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 .
PARIS – The tenth edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) was celebrated worldwide on 4 June 2025 under the theme 'Exhibitions Unleash Potential'. This year's theme showcased how exhibitions empower individuals, elevate organisations, and drive economic and social growth through direct in-person interactions and connections.
GED 2025's four key messages highlighted the transformative power of exhibitions across multiple dimensions. Exhibitions drive progress in industries by fostering collaboration and innovation; empower individuals by supporting the growth of both emerging and established talent; advance communities by fuelling economic development and societal progress; and strengthen companies by amplifying brand presence, building networks, and boosting revenue through face-to-face engagement.
In the lead-up to and during GED 2025, according to UFI's initial numbers*, global activations had an online reach of over 800k across social media. The #GED2025 hashtag was widely used across the community to showcase the role and relevance of exhibitions in driving progress for people and the planet. The Snöball social card campaign mobilised over 150 individual advocates who generated and shared personalised GED visuals across their networks, further amplifying the visibility and impact of the day.
The tenth Global Exhibitions Day coincided with the UFI European Events Week in Thessaloniki, Greece, with over 350 attendees. At the welcome reception, the special celebration included a ceremonial cake-cutting and a joyous birthday song session, marking the milestone with a sense of community and festivity.
Leading global organisers Clarion Events, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa, and RX, weighed in on the importance of exhibitions in empowering people through in-person connection and fueling multi-sector trade and growth. Industry associations from around the world came together to share the importance of GED and to encourage others in their respective communities to participate.
Hugh Jones, UFI President and CEO of RX, said: 'Global Exhibitions Day is a powerful demonstration of the exhibition industry's unity and impact. Around the world, our community came together to showcase how exhibitions connect people, ignite innovation, and drive growth across industries, communities, and economies. The day reaffirmed that face-to-face events remain essential platforms for building a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future.'
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