According to a report by UFI (The Global Association of Exhibition Industry), there is a US $ 27.7 billion dent on trade shows globally.
More than 500 shows stand cancelled/rescheduled around the world, owing to the deadly virus.
A total of US $ 16.5 billion economic output has already been lost. And that’s some number! Notably, the trade fair and exhibition industry generates new business in the B2B sector along with creating employment opportunities.
The virus outbreak has severely affected more than 3 million square metres of exhibition space rented for this time period. This is just half of the rented exhibition space in the FRG (Federal Republic of Germany) in 1 year.
Seeing the expenses these trade shows incur, it is simply not feasible for the organisers to cancel them or at least postpone them for a few months. Right from the conception of the show to their execution and everything in between – i.e. trade show service providers like exhibition stand construction companies, forwarding agents, caterers, furniture rental companies, are struggling for fair distribution of costs right now.
Take the case of European nations that are already developed countries. The tint is so dark that 614 trade fairs that were scheduled for March/April in Europe have been postponed.
The cost of stand construction of 3 million square metres of exhibition space averages €250 per square metre leading to a €750 million loss to service providers.
Owing to the situation, a single company with sales of €3.5 to €4 million is under debt. There are numerous companies with sales between € 3 and €10 million per annum, sales decline amounting to 25 per cent of their annual turnover.
The outcome will lead to a reduction in staff, which is necessary if companies have to survive.
Asia Pacific felt the heat badly as it faced impact of US $ 9.6 billion, followed by Europe whose US $ 6.6 billion industry is being affected. The calculations are underway for other affected regions!
In developing countries like India too, where the trade and exhibition industry is still in the nascent stage, the impact has been severe. The Gartex Texprocess Mumbai edition has also been postponed. FTE industry hasn’t been recognised yet which implies that in future, there would be massive losses to Indian MICE industry too.
Team Apparel Resources has been keeping a close watch on such reports, as its own event, Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW), which was scheduled to take place in February has now been postponed. The visionary team has been taking precautionary measures based on the advisories issued by WHO and other health organisations.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
