FIRA DE BARCELONA
| 2013 REPORT
Internationalization is a
key element in the policy
of the Barcelona trade fair
institution. In the picture,
the Piscina show, which
attracts a large number
of foreign visitors and
exhibitors
Exceeded expectations
Fira reached a turnover of 117,831 million euros,
which meant an increase of 11% over the initial
estimates. It was also a rise over the 2011 and
2012 budgets, despite the absence of major
events of triennial periodicity due to the 2013
trade fair calendar.
An EBITDA of 9,5 million euros was achieved,
18% higher than the estimates, but lower than the
11 millions achieved in 2011 and 2012. It should
be noted that, in this case, EBITDA included
the effects of structural expenses of Alimentaria
Exhibitions S.A., organiser of Alimentaria and
other specialised shows that became part of
Fira in January 2013 after it purchased 50%
of the capital owned by the multinational Reed
Exhibitions. If we didn’t count this effect, the
2013 EBITDA would have been very similar to the
previous two years.
Initial budget calculations, which had been
quite prudent, expenditure restraint and support
to business activity reached higher figures
than expected, mainly because of the effect
of demand, due basically to the presence of
more international events than planned and the
subsequent revenues generated for trade fair
services, restaurants and hotels, among others.
The strategy of support to exhibiting companies
and the productive sectors was based partly
on keeping the trade fair calendar, the already
mentioned diversification of revenues, a
commitment to innovation and knowledge and the
promotion of international activity. This resulted in
active business policies, streamlined management
and development of all kinds of initiatives
aimed at excelling in services and improving
competiveness.
Precisely during 2013 Fira started working
in a significant project of reorganization in
the spheres of business –own, external and
international– to provide answers to the
requirements of the market and competitiveness
on the global stage.
