Barcelona has a long tradition in staging fairs and
shows, one that begins in the late-nineteenth century
during the period of industrialisation of the city, in an
activity that culminated with the organisation of the
Universal Exposition in 1888 at the Ciutadella Park,
landscaped for the occasion. That milestone, which
symbolised the new era the city was embarking on,
is the preamble to a tradition that summarises the entre-
preneurial spirit and openness that characterise the city
of Barcelona. As the changes brought in by the new in-
dustrial society began to take root, there also emerged
the desire to make our city a point for meeting and
exchange, to promote events and initiatives that would
generate a dialogue between what was happening in
Barcelona in the fields of culture and the economy, and
what was happening in the world. This obsession with
being connect, not becoming isolated from contempo-
rary global dynamics, is a constant in the history of our
city, even during the dark years of the dictatorship.
Recovering activity
Today, Fira de Barcelona has inherited this tradition.
Its activity makes the trade fair organiser an economic
driver as well as a vital point for meeting and exchange
between local and global dynamics. Fira is important to
the economy of Barcelona, but also as an example of
the desire to open up of a city that has always looked
far beyond its administrative borders.
The 2015 report shows a considerable revival in
trade fair activity. This, added to the improving perfor-
mance of certain economic sectors, has enabled Fira
to return the second-best results in its entire history.
Particularly noteworthy is the increase in events directly
organised by Fira de Barcelona itself, linked to industrial
and production sectors, creativity, training and leisure.
Contribution to the city
All this goes to show that Fira makes an enormous con-
tribution to the city and its metropolitan area, particu-
larly compared to the previous period. More specifically,
according to a study published by the ESADE business
school in autumn 2015, we are speaking of estimated
annual injection of 2,600 million euros into the local
economy and the creation of more than 40,000 jobs.
The tradition that Fira de Barcelona represents today
began in Barcelona at a time of great economic and
social change. Today, too, our city is immersed in the
transformation brought about by globalisation. The
challenge is not so very different: to place the tools that
create wealth and prosperity at the service of people.
The social return that Fira de Barcelona generates, from
the Mobile World Congress (MWC) to the Motor Show,
serves to strengthen the crucial role that this institution
plays in the life of our city.
4
Presentations
An economic driver for the metropolis
Ada Colau Ballano
Mayor of Barcelona
and President of the
Fira de Barcelona General Council
