The chief executive chairman of Ifema Madrid, Jose Vicente de los Mozos, presented this Monday figures that were hailed as the best in the institution’s four decades of history. The organization posted a turnover of 187.7 million euros and an EBITDA of 20.4 million, marking a striking 90.3 percent rise compared with 2021. Even with the lingering presence of the omicron variant, the year closed with an all-time record in revenue.
In 2022, Ifema Madrid organized 105 trade fairs, 400 congresses, 21 entertainment events and multiple music festivals. The convention center brought together 21,360 companies and drew in 3.7 million visitors. It also hosted important summits, including a NATO gathering held in June. Activity continued to rebound post-pandemic, with Ifema described by its leadership as a world-class benchmark capable of managing large events with experience, seriousness and professionalism.
Fruit Attraction and Fitur, leaders in their respective segments globally, stood at the forefront of revenue generation for the institution.
predictions
Ifema Madrid expects to surpass 185 million euros in the current year. The president called the first quarter of 2023 a good start and noted that the agency foresees organizing 109 fairs, 31 entertainment events and 445 events and contracts in the ongoing fiscal year.
Jose Vicente de los Mozos also announced the initiation of a new restoration project. He described it as part of an ongoing transformation aimed at elevating the restaurant offerings and positioning Ifema as a benchmark in gastronomy within the trade fair sector.
Madrid is recognized as a global hub for gastronomy, and Ifema Madrid is determined to align with this reality rather than overlook it. The leadership emphasized the city’s culinary prominence and the role that the convention center plans to play in reflecting and amplifying that identity.
strategic plan
The strategy centers on diversification, internationalization and digitization. These three pillars are viewed as essential to expanding operations and enhancing services. Ifema has been consistently rated as the premier convention venue for the second consecutive year, and the president expressed a commitment to attracting more international events. The aim is for Madrid to extend its footprint beyond national borders and to bring in foreign companies and international visitors who will contribute to a vibrant, global event calendar.
The pandemic accelerated a normalization of digital approaches across industries, and Ifema’s leadership has made technology and innovation core elements of the 2022 plan. The institution notes that the ability to connect remains central to its mission, stating that people value the chance to meet and collaborate in person, while hybrid and virtual formats continue to complement physical gatherings. The organization plans to use digitalization to better serve exhibitors and attendees and to streamline internal processes, ensuring a smoother, more responsive experience for all stakeholders.