The Middle East’s impact on the global exhibition sector has been muted, according to the latest UFI Global Exhibition Barometer.
The survey shows only 14 per cent of companies globally, and 10 per cent outside the Gulf Cooperation Council report a strong negative effect on business.
More than a quarter (27%) of companies expect revenue growth above 5 per cent annually, while 38 per cent anticipate stable revenues.
Companies appeared more cautious about their profit expectations for 2026 compared with last year. While 19 per cent expected operating profits to increase by more than 10 per cent, the majority (54%) anticipated stable profits.
The most pressing business issue in the short term remains “State of the economy in home market” (19%), while “Global economic developments” ranks first for the mid-term (18%).
Global AI adoption in the exhibition industry is steadily increasing, with 91 per cent of companies now reporting the use of AI, a 4 per cent increase from six months earlier.
“Our barometer indicates that there is no real evidence of a significant knock-on effect from the current Middle East disruption outside the GCC, and positive trends remain around the world, despite concerns about the state of national economies in some locations,” said Chris Skeith, CEO at UFI.
“Within the Gulf Cooperation Council, there is an understandable impact from the conflict, but the situation has positively evolved since our survey, and we are confident that the industry will bounce back quickly.”
