Rapport annuel de Palexpo

Palexpo

Geneva international exhibition and convention centre

We want to make Palexpo a lively and innovative space – a place for meetings and networking – to offer our visitors a unique experience.

Why does Palexpo exist?

A vehicle for innovation, creativity and inspiration since 1981, Palexpo’s international exhibition and convention centre is dedicated to hosting events and functions for professionals and the general public, providing them with the services of competent, committed and facilitative teams. Palexpo SA also imagines, designs and manages its own events.

Identity

With more than 40 years’ experience and a determination to combine creativity and innovation, Palexpo is a meeting place of national and international renown, where major economic sectors and industries converge thanks to high-quality services. It is with passion and creativity that Palexpo creates and hosts events that respect sustainable development. Its versatility and team spirit enable it to handle any situation, while its flexibility allows it to meet the requirements of its customers.

Mission

Majority-owned by the State of Geneva, Palexpo is a tool at the service of the community. Its mission is to generate economic and media spin-offs for Geneva and the surrounding region, and to promote Geneva’s economy with a view to sustainable development.

Vision

A place of inspiration and stimulation, Palexpo aspires to be and remain a world of sustainable experiences and solutions, offering a welcoming and functional environment where ideas meet, flourish and are transformed into innovative solutions thanks to the excellence of its skills and services. Its project is part of a unifying approach, taking into account the expectations of all its stakeholders and respecting the values of sustainable development.

Messages from Palexpo's president and general manager

François Longchamp, President of Palexpo SA

“A demand for excellence”

Event management is an art that involves maintaining a subtle balance between heritage and renewal. After a number of turbulent years, 2023 saw the return of effervescence to our sector, with an enthusiastic recovery. In 2024, Palexpo’s halls once again resounded to the hum of national and international conventions and trade shows, buoyed by dynamic visitor numbers. We hosted 143 events and achieved an occupancy rate of 43%. To support this growth, our teams have been strengthened, confirming our ambition to make Palexpo more innovative, efficient and welcoming.

 

Palexpo’s future is being written – and written boldly. This ambition is reflected in innovative projects such as the study of a new plenary area in Hall 1. This modern, modular facility will enhance our offering by combining functionality and excellence. This major project will open up new prospects for Palexpo and its partners.

 

This momentum is not limited to infrastructure alone. It is also part of a renewed investment drive, underpinned by a determination to maintain our competitiveness. In a changing world, it is imperative to anticipate the future, both for our infrastructures and in our sustainable approach. Every development project and new build now includes a strong environmental component. We integrate solutions that respect the planet, because tomorrow’s events cannot be built without responsibility.

 

This notion of commitment is also embodied in a social mission. True to its vocation of community service, Palexpo continues to welcome Ukrainian refugees to Hall 7. Within these walls designed to bring people together, we place our capacity to welcome people at the service of solidarity and humanity, aware that our role goes beyond the boundaries of events.

 

This year also marks the end of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), a one-of-a-kind event which, for over a century, has shaped the world of automobiles and made it part of Geneva’s history. Its absence marks a turning point but its legacy lives on: it remains an unfailing testament to our passion for innovation and ambition.

 

Palexpo is moving forward, stronger than ever, with a clear vision of the future. Thanks to the commitment of our teams and the trust of our partners, we continue to shape a space for meetings, discussion and innovations.

 

Each event we host at Palexpo is a new step along this path, a further milestone in the construction of a future in which we will remain a key player, faithful to the demand for excellence that has always driven us.

Claude Membrez, General Manager, Palexpo SA

“The audacity of the future”

Behind every event, there are teams and an ambition: to make Palexpo a place where innovation is lived, where high standards are built, where every detail counts to offer unforgettable experiences. Once again this year, we have opted for excellence and boldness, equipping ourselves with tools, talents and strategies that redefine the way we think, organise and shine. The creation of the Data & Analytics (DAT) department is a perfect illustration of this ambition. By combining the intelligence of figures with a forward-looking vision, this observatory of trends and behaviours paves the way for ever more relevant, innovative experiences, tailored to the expectations of our partners and visitors. It will also help anchor a data-driven culture within the company, to improve our decision-making and performance. At the same time, we are continuing to create strategic and lasting connections with the actors in Geneva’s tourism industry, in particular the city’s solid hotel network, to shape a dynamic ecosystem together. Innovation is also to be found in the know-how we choose to reinvent. Art Genève and Art Monte-Carlo are thus embarking on a new chapter under a new direction, with a strong focus on contemporary art. Faithful to their curatorial standards, these fairs affirm their roots in Geneva and Monaco, while continuing their commitment to a vibrant international scene. Palexpo also crosses borders, thanks to ambassadors strategically located in the United Kingdom and the United States. As bearers of our expertise and vision, they open up new horizons by forging privileged links with local players to facilitate the location of major events at Palexpo. But what would our vision be without the sense of responsibility that guides our every move? The renewal of our ISO 20121 certification in 2024, for the sixth year running, underlines our commitment to sustainable event management, reconciling performance and controlled impact. We are building on this momentum by initiating the ISO 9001 certification process, a guarantee of rigour and continuous improvement. And because in the life of every company a page will be turned, I would like to extend our very best wishes to our Head Chef who, after 43 years of making an indelible culinary mark, is taking a well-deserved retirement. His successor will, I am sure, bring a fresh outlook and renewed creativity to support Palexpo in its demand for excellence and offer a gourmet experience to match every event. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all our teams for their exemplary commitment and spirit of initiative. Thanks to their dedication and achievements, Palexpo continues to strengthen its competitiveness and reputation. The future is being built today. With boldness and determination, we are shaping a Palexpo that is more efficient, more agile and more inspiring than ever, with a new visual identity that reflects our evolution and our desire to go even further in our development. Welcome to this new era.

CHF 303 million

Total economic impact on Geneva’s economy in CHF: CHF 303 million

699,311

Number of visitors to Palexpo during the year: 699,311

137

Number of events at Palexpo in 2024: 137

43%

Total occupancy rate of Palexpo halls: 43%

22%

Occupancy rate of convention centre rooms and offices: 22%

727,956 m²

Gross m2 rented during events at Palexpo: 727,956 m2

6,552

Number of exhibitors at all events: 6,552

194

Number of permanent employees: 194

98,44%

Purchases of goods and services in Switzerland: 98.44% of which 72.19% in Geneva

CHF 10.655 million

EBITDA: CHF 10.655 million

CHF 72.134 million

Sales: CHF 72.134 million