55 Issue 258 - April / May 2025 email: editor@signlink.co.uk EXHIBITION STANDS Five years on from the first Covid19 lockdown, the world has largely rebounded from the pandemic and despite the impact it is still having on some aspects of life, thankfully the idea of lockdowns, queueing up to go to the shops, and fighting over toilet roll are all behind us. One sector hit particularly hard during the pandemic was events and exhibitions. With the world at a near-standstill and people shut away inside their homes, large-scale gatherings were, for a time, a thing of the past. However, fast-forward to the current day and the situation could not be more different. Events and exhibitions are very much back to full strength, bringing with them various opportunities for those in the signage industry. In this feature, we focus on features integral to many events: exhibitions stands. What sort of opportunities are there for sign-makers with this type of work and how can they go about securing new partnerships and customers? Thriving Sector For those venturing into this market for the first time, and indeed those who are looking to grow their own offering by partnering with a specialist within the sector, there are plenty of options to consider. Tecna works with a range of partners on exhibition stands, counting the likes of Amazon, Sony, IKEA, and Simba among its clients. James Longley, managing director of Tecna, comments: “The exhibition sector isn’t just back; it’s thriving.” He cites figures from UFI that show global exhibition space sales in 2024 were up 9% compared to 2019, with UK revenue projected to grow by 37% in 2025. On top of this, the latest UKEvents report recorded over 1,000 trade shows and exhibitions in the UK, contributing £10.9bn to the economy. “These numbers tell a clear story: the industry has fully rebounded,” Longley says, adding: “Beyond the figures, the energy on the show floor speaks for itself. Events look and feel busier, exhibitors are more strategic, and expectations have shifted. They now demand more from their stands; better value, measurable ROI, and EXHIBITION STANDS – ADAPTING AND INNOVATING IN 2025 With the events sector thriving thanks to the evolution of in-person experiences, SignLink takes a closer look at the opportunities for sign-makers in this market with a focus on exhibition stands
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