About the complex

The decision was made unanimously at the Reporting and Election General Meeting of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs on June 20, as part of the Convention and Exhibition Industry Communications Forum.

«I thank the industry community for their trust. We will work together on the strategy for developing the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, as well as the entire convention and exhibition industry. The document will form the vision for the next three years.

In the age of digitalization and virtual communication, it is exhibitions, forums, and conventions that remain an irreplaceable platform where vivid emotions are born, business ties are intensifies, new partnerships are formed, and contracts are concluded», commented Nikolay Kozlov on his election.

At the Reporting and Election Meeting, the new Presidium of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs was formed, as well. His activities focus on strengthening the Union’s position as a professional platform, developing regional ties, adapting to changing market conditions and creating efficient tools

On June 4, Diana Akgaeva, Director for Marketing and Commerce at «Caramel Catering» LLC, took part in the RBC panel discussion «The Standard of Russian Cuisine as a Tool for Developing National Gastronomy» at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum SPIEF-2026.

Today, Russian cuisine is not only a part of the cultural heritage, but also an important tool for developing the restaurant industry, domestic tourism and the country’s gastronomic brand.

The panelists discussed what the future standard of Russian cuisine should be, how to preserve the authenticity of national gastronomic traditions and at the same time give restaurants the opportunity for developing, interpreting and adapting to guests’ modern needs.

Special attention was paid to practical issues of the industry: staff shortages, increased operating costs, regulatory issues and conditions necessary for sustainable development of the restaurant business.

Experts agreed that Russian cuisine has significant capacities both inside and outside the country. Herewith, its development requires not only the preservation of traditional recipes and technologies, but also the creation of understandable quality standards that will help strengthen guests’ trust and increase the recognition of national gastronomy.

On June 4, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026), ExpoForum International LLC and the «Kommersant» Publishing House signed an agreement on cooperation, collaboration and partnership.

The signing took place in Pavilion F, at the stand of «Kommersant». The document was signed by Nikolay Kozlov, CEO of ExpoForum International LLC, and Mikhail Nelyubin, Executive Director of Kommersant JSC.

The parties agreed to develop mutually beneficial long-term cooperation, and this, as Nikolay Kozlov emphasized, opens a new stage in developing convention and exhibition activities.

«The SPIEF traditionally opens the exhibition season: we enter a new stage of our development. Together with «Kommersant», we have quite big plans, within the framework of both the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum, which celebrates its anniversary this year, and the Exhibition «Russian Industrialist», which celebrates its anniversary, as well. At the recent meeting at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE), we discussed new trends in developing Russian industries. And this is always something interesting for the readers of «Kommersant»», said the CEO of ExpoForum International LLC.

Alexander Shchelkanov, Director for Regional Development at the «Kommersant» Publishing House, confirmed that all the events that take place at ExpoForum are of great interest.

«We always try to meet the challenges of the times and address the most interesting and relevant issues on the agenda in the business program. And in this regard, cooperation with «Kommersant» allows us to remain on the cutting edge of the most topical issues related to the development of industry, trade, business, exhibitions, and touch upon them in the most interesting way for the audience», concluded Nikolay Kozlov.

The SPIEF-2026 took place at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 3-6. The Forum was attended by 24.5 thousand guests from 142 countries

The Pipe Metallurgical Company (TMK) has given its Infinity art object to the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre in St. Petersburg, which is now on permanent display at the site. The art object is open to all visitors of the convention and exhibition centre and is intended for popularizing achievements of Russian metallurgy, as well as promoting modern industrial art.

The masterpiece was created in cooperation of TMK plants. The pipes with the diameter of 219 mm and their wall thickness of 11 mm were rolled of corrosion-resistant steel at the Volzhsky Pipe Plant (VTZ), a branch of TMK. Then the art object itself was made at the Connecting Pipe Bends (SOT) enterprise in Chelyabinsk. For the first time, the composition was displayed at the TMK stand at the International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM-2025 in Ekaterinburg. Then the art object was exhibited at the Metal Expo’2025 Exhibition in St. Petersburg, after which it was given to ExpoForum.

The artistic concept of the art object symbolizes the cyclical nature of history and the constant movement forward: the accumulated industrial experience becomes the basis for creating new technological solutions. The infinity sign also reflects the company’s innovative development potential, its focus on improving production processes, designing new products, and implementing modern engineering solutions.

«The Infinity art object shows a strong relationship between industrial traditions and modern technologies. The use of TMK’s pipe products in the artistic composition highlights the versatility of metallurgy and its importance not only for industry, but also for shaping the modern urban environment. It is momentous for the company to show that metallurgical production can be a source of both technological and creative ideas that combine the past, present and future», said Andrey Posokhov, Brand Director of the TMK Group and Director for Integrated Communications.

«The Infinity art object is a wonderful example of modern art, and it fits seamlessly into the architecture of ExpoForum. For us, it will symbolize an endless continuous cycle of events and the striving for constant development and growth. It is a symbol of unlimited opportunities for exchanging experience, knowledge, and technologies», said Nikolay Kozlov, CEO of ExpoForum International LLC.

The ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre opened in St. Petersburg in 2014, with Gazprom’s participation. Today, it is one of the largest and most technologically advanced complexes in Russia, intended for holding business, exhibition, cultural and social events of various scales. Traditionally, ExpoForum is a venue for the SPIEF, as well as the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum (SPIGF). In 2025, the Centre became the venue of the Metal Expo International Industrial Exhibition for the first time.

On June 6, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026), ExpoForum International LLC and «Prosto Tent» LLC signed an agreement on cooperation in developing modern exhibition, event and prefabricated infrastructure.

The document was signed by Aleksey Laukart, founder of «Prosto Tent» LLC, and Nikolay Kozlov, CEO of ExpoForum International LLC.

«We are pleased to sign an agreement with one of leading companies in the Russian convention and exhibition industry. Our collaboration with ExpoForum expands capacities in the field of convention and exhibition development. It promotes modern domestic solutions», says Aleksey Laukart.

Nikolay Kozlov noted that the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre, built with Gazprom’s participation, is one of the country’s major venues. ExpoForum hosts over 120 events per year, including those of national importance.

«I am sure that the agreement with «Prosto Tent» will contribute to the benefit of the industry’s development and its promotion», said Nikolay Kozlov.

The SPIEF-2026 takes place at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 3-6.

On June 5, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, ExpoForum International LLC signed the agreement with Aristarkh Chernyshev, a classic media artist. The collaboration will result in an art object, which will be released in a limited edition for the 15th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum.

Aristarkh Chernyshev is one of pioneers of media art in Russia, winner of the Kandinsky Prize, co-founder of the Electroboutique art group and the Electromuseum. Since the 1990s, he has been researching processes of digitalization and the impact of technology on human daily life, creating video art, interactive objects, media sculpture and installations. His works are kept in the Tretyakov Gallery, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Multimedia Art Museum, and in the collections of other institutions.

The artist will create his new work exclusively for ExpoForum as one of the most modern convention and exhibition venues in Russia and the world. The project will combine the space of the complex and the experience of the artist, who has been studying the relationship between technology and man, society and culture for more than 30 years.

On the sidelines of the SPIEF, the agreement was signed by Nikolay Kozlov, CEO of ExpoForum International LLC, and media artist Aristarkh Chernyshev.

«Today, the largest international venues more and more often become not only a place for professional dialogue, but also a space for artistic expression. Dealing with contemporary art allows talking about technology, the future, and the society’s transformation in a new way. The collaboration of ExpoForum with Aristarkh Chernyshev, a classic of modern art, continues the development strategy. It is implemented due to the combined effect caused by not only business events, but also cultural projects», said Nikolay Kozlov.

«New collaborations always give rise to unexpected artistic thought and stimulate creativity. We are not revealing all the secrets until the Gas Forum, which will take place in October. And now you can try to guess what it will be: there are hints in the video teaser that I made specially for the announcement», said Aristarkh Chernyshev.

«The most important thing in such a collaboration is combining the artistic optics of the author with the museum status with the scale and the social significance of one of the key urban institutions. Going beyond usual forms of representation is not only an intellectual or aesthetic gesture, but also creating a space where new meanings are born», said Lisa Savina, the curator of the project.

The SPIEF-2026 takes place at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 15th — jubilee — St. Petersburg International Gas Forum will be held on October 6-9.

On June 3, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a cooperation agreement for 2026 was signed between the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE) and ExpoForum International LLC. The document was signed by Nikolay Kozlov, CEO of ExpoForum International LLC, and Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

Traditionally, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs is a co-organizer of the Forum-Exhibition «Russian Industrialist» and is a permanent partner of ExpoForum. The organizations’ long-term cooperation is aimed at strengthening the country’s industrial potential, supporting innovative solutions, and expanding business contacts between enterprises.

As part of the International Forum-Exhibition «Russian Industrialist», the RUIE prepares a number of specialized events. These include meetings of industry commissions and working groups, devoted to topical issues of industrial development, the introduction of advanced technologies and the improvement of the regulatory framework.

The signed agreement will intensify joint work on organizing large-scale industrial initiatives and projects in 2026.

The SPIEF-2026 takes place at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 3-6.

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.

The event will be held in a two-day format: September 16-17.

On September 16, the Day of Retail and Agroindustrial Complex will be held, for manufacturers and suppliers to meet with retail chains, purchasing departments, distributors and processors.

September 17 will be dedicated to restaurants, eco-farms and agrotourism. As part of the business program, it is planned to hold the conference on agroecotourism, dedicated to developing rural tourism, local gastronomy, eco-farms, country eco-houses and new models of interaction between the agrarian business, the hospitality industry and the regions.

The format of the Business Contact Centre involves pre‑arranged individual meetings: customers are placed in the business area at negotiation tables, which suppliers approach for substantive discussion on cooperation, product presentations and prompt feedback. The participation provides the opportunity of holding a number of targeted meetings with decision makers, presenting new products and regional brands, finding supply and distribution partners, and expanding the geography of sales.

The invited customers are represented by the largest retail chains, restaurant groups, hotel operators and distributors, including «Perekrestok», «VkusVill», METRO, AUCHAN, «Diksi», CHE Group, Ginza Project, etc.

The organizers expect to expand the international component: consulates, trade and economic missions and international business associations are planned to be involved in the project, for developing export capacities and discussing prospects for cooperation in foreign markets.

Suppliers of food and beverages, farm and eco‑products, equipment and technologies for agriculture, solutions for processing, storage and logistics, as well as IT solutions and services for retail, restaurants and agrotourism are invited to participate.

Details are available on the website of the project: https://cdk.expoforum.ru/agrorus