EUROPE – Bilbao Exhibition Centre has reported a positive year in 2014, with ‘moderate growth’. Management says a turnaround in economic matters, the introduction of new tradeshows and improvement in the results of the events held were key factors in the growth.
New tradeshows hosted at the centre in 2014 included Expocosmetica, Sin Barreras, Habitat, Ecohogar, BIME Market and the Bilbao International Bike Exhibition.
The venue hosted 164 events in 2014 taking up 287 calendar days and generating an economic impact of €105m (US$121m). The cumulative economic impact of the BEC on GDP since its opening in 2014 is calculated to be €859m.
The centre says that 77.9 per cent of the economic impact it generates stems from its knock-on effect for bars and restaurants, transportation, retail trade, cultural and recreational activities, while the tradeshows themselves account for the remaining 22.1 per cent.
In terms of participants, in 2014 the Bilbao Exhibition Centre welcomed a total of 2,448 exhibitors and broke the one million barrier with a total of 1,031,476 visitors.
The centre aims to consolidate its activities at the commencement of the economic upturn in 2015 and has assured its financial stability by refinancing its debts to 2027.
This year will see around 30 tradeshows take place at the centre.
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Bilbao Exhibition Centre reports ‘moderate growth’ in 2014
