Nearly Half of UK Exhibitions Were Open for Just Two Days in 2025

UK exhibitions occupied a venue for an average of 4.3 days in 2025, of which 2.3 days were open to visitors and the remaining 2.0 days were used for build-up and breakdown. The report's executive summary states an average of 2.0 open days; the body text and chart give 2.3. By type, trade exhibitions occupied venues for 4.7 days and were open for 2.1; consumer exhibitions 4.4 and 2.4; conferences with an exhibition element 3.5 and 2.3; and events at primary venues 4.9 and 2.5. In terms of open days, 45% of exhibitions were open for just two days, 23% for one day, 21% for three days, 8% for four days and 3% for five or more; among trade exhibitions the two-day share rose to 55%. On total hire days, 25% ran one to two days, 24% three days, 19% four days, 25% five to seven days and 8% eight days or more.