Event Venues: Asia-Pacific Overtakes Europe, France Bets on Renovation
The global events venue market underwent a historic geographic shift in 2024, while France invests heavily in modernizing its venue portfolio.
Asia-Pacific: the new global leader
According to the UFI World Map of Exhibition Venues 2024, the world counts 1,432 exhibition venues over 5,000 sqm, totaling 43.1 million sqm of covered capacity. Notably, Asia-Pacific took the lead in exhibition space in 2024 (39%), overtaking Europe (37%), the historical leader — a reversal from 2011, when Europe held 47% and Asia-Pacific just 20%. China dominates the country rankings (31% of global space, 312 venues), ahead of the United States (14%, 270 venues). France ranks 5th with 5% of global space and 94 venues.
In France: 200 sites, a growing self-produced economy
France counts 200 event venues (exhibition parks, congress centers, arenas, zeniths) totaling 2.5 million sqm of capacity. In regional exhibition parks, the share of revenue from self-produced events (in-house organization) reached 48% in 2024, up from 43% in 2019 — confirming this activity's growing weight in venues' business models, which still mainly host trade shows and fairs (67% of sqm/day occupancy in 2023, 62% in 2024, with growing diversification toward shows and sporting events driven by the Olympics).
At congress centers, revenue remains dominated by hosting congresses and corporate events (75%), with self-organized events' share edging up slightly to 7%.
Diversifying usage
Event venues are no longer confined to their traditional core business. Several 2024 examples illustrate this trend: the Prouvé Center in Nancy converted into a courtroom for the "Carton Rouge" trial (1,300 victims, 149 lawyers), an immersive Saint-Exupéry exhibition at the Strasbourg Exhibition Park, and the 100th anniversary of France's Best Craftsman competition in Lyon (30,000 visitors).
A major renovation cycle
Several major infrastructure projects are underway: the Grand Palais in Paris reopened in three phases after four years of work; Nevers' Centre Expo will reopen in September 2025, resized to 7,700 sqm; the future H2 venue in Nîmes (10,000 sqm, late 2025) will sit opposite the city's Roman arena; Le Mans' Palais des Congrès will nearly double in size (5,500 to 10,000 sqm) by 2028. These investments reflect a shared ambition: more flexible, more accessible venues built to last.
Article written with the assistance of AI. Source: 2025 Event Data Book, UNIMEV; UFI World Map of Exhibition Venues 2024