History
HISTORY OF FIRA DE BARCELONA
Throughout the 19th century, the economic strength of Barcelona and of Catalonia was reflected in various fairs, such as the General Exhibition of Barcelona (1844), Exhibition of Industry, Arts and Trades (1860), the General Catalan Exhibition (1871) and the Exhibition of Catalan Products (1877).
Nonetheless, the Universal Exhibition of 1888 had a very special significance for Barcelona's international exposure, its emergence as a metropolis and the start of modern trade fair activity. The Exhibition occupied 450,000 m2 and was visited by 2.5 million people over five months.
Barcelona's aspiration to have a permanent trade fair was finally materialised in 1920 thanks to a joint initiative of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, the Barcelona City Council, the Diputación de Barcelona (Regional Organisation) and the Community of Catalonia although important events, such as the International Motor Show of 1919, had been held in previous years.
1920- 1936
-1920. The first trade show held in Barcelona, in the Ciudadela Park venue, is also the embryo of the Fashion Show institutionalised years later.
-1923. The first International Furniture and Decoration Exhibition and the Building Technique Exhibition, considered antecedents of Construmat.
-1929. The old aspiration of holding a major electrical industry show is materialised with the International Exhibition of Barcelona which, unfortunately comes at a time of world economic crisis. Despite this situation, over 40 countries participate and the legacy for the city, from an urban and general modernisation standpoint, is unquestionable.
-1932. A significant milestone arrives with the official constitution of Fira Internacional de Barcelona, declared for public use by the republican Generalitat and which, the following year, resumes the staging of trade shows.
- 1936. Annual industry and service events are suspended in July (when Fira shows the country a television set for the first time) because of the Spanish civil war.
1942-1970
1942. Trade fair activity resumes in a very difficult economic and political climate. Fira is considered by its promoters, City Council and Chamber of Commerce, as an opportunity to reactivate the economy and as a world showcase
The Trade Show held in June is, for many years, an authentic social event in Barcelona, since it showcases new food products, innovative ways of understanding trade, transport, housework and work organisation, from Coca-Cola, the Seat 600, the modern supermarket concept, digital watches and the first computers for companies.
Very soon, however, we see the arrival of specialised areas which, in the years to come, lead to monographic shows. In tune with liberalisation, the trend for specialisation becomes unstoppable.
-1954. The first Packing and Packaging Show.
-1960. The first travel, Sport and Tourism Show and the FIPAG show, dedicated to paper and graphic arts.
-1961. First edition of Hogarotel-Expohogar and the National Clothing Manufacturing Show.
-1962. National Technical Textile Machinery Show.
-1963. International Boat Show, Spanish Textile Exchange, Imaging Show - Sonimag (1963) and Children's Festival.
-1965. Cosmetic Chemical Week and Expo Química, Graphispack.
-1966. The Motor Show becomes independent from the June trade show.
-1972. The first edition of Hispack
-1974. With the first knitwear show, Fira de Barcelona reaches a total of twenty monographic shows.
-1975. First Anticuarios and Expo Avícola.
-1976. Alimentaria is created.
-1977. Hostelco is created.
1979-2000
-1979: Constitution of the government organs of the institution adapted to the new reality of democratic city councils.
Progressive creation of new shows in line with new social and company needs and which confirm the trend started many years earlier towards specialised or monographic shows, especially professional.
Among others: Construmat and Expominer (1979), Second Hand Vehicle (1980), Comic Fair(1981), Caravanning (1989), Mediterranean Show (antecedent of the Tourism Show, 1990), Sonimagfoto (1991), Swimming Pool Show (1994), Maquitec (1996), Ecomed/Pollutec (antecedent of Ecocity), Barcelona Meeting Point (1997), International Logistics Show (1999).
-1991. As a consequence of the above-mentioned specialisation, the last June general Trade Show is held.
-1992. Conversion of the Fira de Barcelona facilities into the main centre of operations of the Olympic Games.
-Various measures are adopted to create new exhibition spaces and to improve existing ones:
-Remodelling of the Congress Centre in 1993
-Creation of Feria 2000 S.A. as the body commissioned to build the new Gran Via exhibition centre (1993)
-Inauguration of the 1st phase of the Gran Via exhibition centre with a useful exhibition space of 33,800 m2 (1995)
-During the last decade of this period, Fira de Barcelona experiences a complex situation, partly due to competition from other Spanish exhibition centres, the new phenomenon of globalisation and the lack of institutional consensus about the trade fair project.
2000-2009
-2000. "Re-foundation" of Fira de Barcelona with the incorporation of the Catalan Generalitat in government organs,- together with the Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce- and the adoption of a management system based on company participation through the Governing Board and a professional and independent management. Continued intent to provide a platform of activity and economic promotion for companies and their international exposure and generator of wealth for Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain. All of this led to an important and solid growth of activity and of the institution's economic results.
-2001. Creation of Alimentaria Exhibitions, joint venture between Fira de Barcelona and Reed Exhibitions to ensure the continuity of Alimentaria, one of the world's most important food and beverage fairs, in Barcelona, as well as Barcelona Tecnologías de la Alimentación (Barcelona Food and Beverage Technologies), Bta. Approval of the 2001-010 Strategic Plan centred on improving trade fair venues, the finalisation of the Gran Via exhibition centre, increased services, international exposure, the creation of Fira on line and utilisation of synergies with the city of Barcelona.
-2003. The Japanese architect Toyo Ito wins the international contest for the design of the Gran Via exhibition centre, is surroundings and towers.
-2006. Formulation of a new strategic plan, 2006-2015, which adds, as new priorities, the capture of major international shows and congresses, innovation and quality, reaffirms commitment to internationalisation.
As a result of this policy to attract major international events, Fira de Barcelona hosts the Mobile World Congress (mobile telephony) and EIBTM (business tourism), the World and European Cardiology Congresses (2006, 2009), Carbon Expo (2009), ITMA (2011), as well as the urban and contemporary fashion show, Bread&Butter which, after four years and eight shows, returned to its city of origin, Berlin, in January 2009.
-2007. Official inauguration of the Gran Via exhibition centre with an exhibition floor space of 200,000 m2. Together with Montjuïc, Fira has 365,000 m2, one of Europe's largest exhibition areas. A further expansion of Gran Via will take the total to 405,000 m2 overall. Over 900 million euros have been invested in the Gran Via exhibition centre.
-2008. Inauguration of the photovoltaic plant on the rooftop of the Gran Via exhibition centre. It is the sixth largest rooftop solar operation in the world and one of the biggest in Spain. It is an example of Fira's commitment to sustainability and the environment.
-2008-09. Creation of new shows linked to emerging international and national sectors: Avante (personal care and quality of life), BCN Rail (railway industry), Instalmat (industrial installations); HIT (Innovation World Summit); The Brandery (contemporary urban fashion centred on brands); Bathroom Show, etc.
-Fira's contribution to the economy in the city and its surroundings is around 2,500 million euros (2008). It generates 55,000 jobs.
Fira de Barcelona's reality today
- A portfolio of 80 shows (annuals, biannual, biennial, triennial and quadrennial)
- 40,500 exhibiting companies (direct and represented)
- 3.5 million visitors
- 15 major international shows which are benchmark events in Europe (and in some cases worldwide), being among the three of the leaders in their sector.
- It leads in industrial/professional shows in Spain with a market share of over 30%
- 41% of international exhibitors in professional shows and 25% of visitors
- Own foreign delegations with representation in 33 countries, among which are leading emerging economies
- It plays a fundamental role as an instrument of economic reactivation and support to companies and economic sectors
The history of Fira de Barcelona is a living example that trade fairs are continually transforming and evolving. This capacity is, precisely, one of their most solid values
