IFEMA MADRID balances its accounts in 2021, in international terms it is leading the recovery of the fair sector
It achieved revenues of 98.6 million, with an EBITDA of 7.3 million and a net profit of one hundred thousand euros, despite the strong impact of the pandemic.
Madrid championed the return of face-to-face activity in Europe with the holding of 300 events: 74 fairs, 8 congresses, 22 concerts and long-term events, and 196 conventions, which attracted more than 1.4 million visitors and more than 16,000 participating companies.
The drive to diversify its activity, with new digital models and by opening up to a quality leisure programme, already accounts for 18% of its business.
The governing bodies of IFEMA MADRID have today approved the annual accounts for 2021, a year in which it managed to stabilise its balance sheet despite the strong impact due to the mobility and crowding limitations caused by the pandemic. Thus, last year ended with a revenue of 98.6 million euros; an EBITDA of 7.3 million, and a net profit of one hundred thousand euros. The results obtained in 2021 were described by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, José Vicente de los Mozos, as "extremely satisfactory, offering a solid financial situation for the organisation, in which we have no debt, we continue to generate cash, and we also have sufficient resources of our own to continue with our future projects”.
In 2021, despite the health crisis, Madrid generated some notable business figures, achieving great notoriety for its ability to lead the sector internationally. And it was at its facilities that the first fair in Europe was held in March, while in May FITUR took place, which constituted a global milestone in mobility, as well as ARCOmadrid, which was held on an exceptional basis in July. In the year as a whole, IFEMA MADRID's business spanned 300 events: 74 fairs, 8 congresses, 22 concerts and long-term events, and 196 conventions, which attracted more than 1.4 million visitors and more than 16,000 participating companies.
The progress made in IFEMA MADRID’s diversification of its business, whose new business lines already represent 18% of its revenue deserve special mention. In line with the aims put forward in the event held to herald the change in its brand image, in the digital sphere, 24 hybrid or digital fairs were held in 2021, which totalled 131,119 visitors, and they managed not only to offer an alternative when physical projects were not possible, but also strengthened the face-to-face formats of our shows, amplifying their scope and their ability to generate business. A very significant leap forward was made regarding the institution's position as a major quality leisure space for Madrid, with the addition of spectacular productions such as the WAH Show, which complement our region’s wide-ranging offer and its attractiveness as a tourist destination.
In short, financial year 2021 "has served to lay the foundations for the ambitious strategic plan we will present shortly and that will lead us on to becoming a more digital, diversified and international organisation", says José Vicente de los Mozos, adding that "this is the fruit of collective work in which the effort made by the group of professionals that make up the organisation has been essential, in addition to the firm support received by our member bodies, not forgetting the trust placed in us by companies and visitors, and the contribution of our supplier companies”.