On June 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg, at the venue of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), representatives of the National Convention Bureau (NCB) and the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs (RUEF) celebrated Global Exhibitions Day, a professional holiday of the international exhibition community, which annually unites representatives of the industry all over the world. The main objective of Global Exhibitions Day is emphasizing the importance of face-to-face communication and personal meetings for establishing business partnerships, building communications and bringing together representatives of different countries and cultures. The holiday calls for paying tribute to industry professionals and their role in developing the global economy and shaping the global future.

During the event, the participants discussed the importance of the exhibition and congress industry for developing the economy, business tourism, and promoting Russian companies. It is symbolic that in 2026, Global Exhibitions Day coincided with the opening day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The program of the opening day was dedicated to the issues of small and medium-sized businesses. The participants noted that exhibitions and congresses remain an efficient platform for developing SMEs, searching for new partners, expanding business contacts, and promoting companies in domestic and foreign markets. Special attention was paid to the role of the industry in generating new business ties, supporting entrepreneurship, and developing the regions.

«Global experience shows that the inclusion of the convention and exhibition industry in the state economic strategy gives a strong impetus to developing sectors of the economy. The same is applicable to individual regions: the inclusion of the event industry in the overall regional development plan becomes a significant factor in achieving the region’s potential, from economic to social, through convention and exhibition tools. Holding Global Exhibitions Day at the venue of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum once again emphasizes the importance of our industry for building an international dialogue, and demonstrates the «soft power» that underlies it. On behalf of all member companies of the National Convention Bureau Association, I congratulate representatives of the industry on our professional holiday!» said Sagid Zaremukov, Director of the National Convention Bureau.

«Global Exhibitions Day unites the professional community all over the world, and highlights the significance of the industry for the economy and the international cooperation development. Exhibition and convention events create opportunities for professional dialogue, exchange of experience, and implementation of joint initiatives», stressed Elena Ublieva, Executive Director of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs.

«In the age of digitalization and virtual communication, exhibitions remain the irreplaceable platform where vivid emotions are born, business ties are strengthened, investments are shaped, and contracts are signed, new jobs are created, small and medium-sized businesses get a chance for asserting themselves on a par with market giants, and regions find new economic footholds», believes Nikolay Kozlov, CEO of ExpoForum International, member of the Presidium of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, Chairman of the Commission of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs on Exhibition and Convention Activities.

Global Exhibitions Day is annually celebrated on June 3, and is held with the international exhibition community’s support. The initiative is aimed at popularizing convention and exhibition activities and demonstrating their contribution to developing the economy, innovation and international partnership.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum-2026 takes place at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 3-6.