The Biggest Trade Fairs to Look Out for in March 2024

Spring is almost upon us, which means that the events’ industry is picking up speed. More, bigger and more exciting trade fairs are hitting exhibition centres around the world. We’re taking a look at the events you should not miss out this March!

JEC World 2024: March 5th – 7th; Paris, France

We open our list with JEC World 2024, where industry professionals worldwide explore the rich, diverse world of composite materials. Held at Paris-Nord Villepinte Parc des Expositions, JEC World has remained the premier trade fair for composite materials. With over 33,000 international trade visitors, 1,200+ international exhibitors representing 112 countries, and a sprawling 72,000+ square metres of show floor spread across 26 pavilions, JEC World is affectionately known as the 'festival of composites.' The exhibition showcases the rich variety of applications that composites offer across sectors, including aerospace, marine, construction, and automotive industries.

One of the highlights of JEC World 2024 is the 3D Printing Village, dedicated to additive manufacturing and showcasing the latest advancements in the field. Coordinated by Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) and sponsored by Thermwood, the 3D Printing Village highlights the work of schools such as IMT Mines Alès and IMT Mines Albi.

Picture: JEC World

Game Developers Conference 2024: March 18th – 22nd; San Francisco, USA

Get ready to immerse yourself in the dynamic world of game development at the Game Developers Conference 2024. Held at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, the conference unites the entire gaming and technological community through a rich support program, awards and even mentoring. The product portfolio on display at the Moscone Center is comprehensive, covering hardware, software, and middleware. From consoles, mobile, and handheld devices to tablets, online, and computer games, if you can play on it, you'll find it showcased at GDC. VR and AR are two of the biggest unexplored areas of technology, rapidly evolving and opening new horizons for developers. Showcase your company's products, services, and innovations while recruiters gain access to some of the best talent in the game industry.

With 29,000 international visitors from all levels of the gaming industry and 550 major exhibitors showcased at the expo portion of GDC, along with 780 lectures, panels, tutorials, and roundtable discussions, this event promises to be a hub of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration for game developers worldwide. The full breadth of game development, from computers and consoles to tablets and mobile devices, is encapsulated at the Game Developers Conference, with VR and AR representing the new frontier.

Picture: Game Developers Conference

Alimentaria 2024: March 18th – 21st; Barcelona, Spain

Third on our list is Alimentaria 2024, the premier ambassador for foods and beverages of Spain. This international trade show presents the richness of raw food ingredients, drinks, foods, and delicacies in a dynamic environment, hosted at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via every two years alongside Hostelco, the International Restaurant, Hotel and Catering Equipment and Machinery trade show.

The exhibition space is divided into several sectors for easy access and organisation, including Exproconser (canned food), Intervin (wine), Intercarn (meat), Interlact (dairy), and Restaurama (restaurants and catering). One of the most fascinating spaces is the Multiple Foods area, showcasing distinct tastes from regions alongside other culinary traditions. Alimentaria drives conversations about food quality and trends, cementing Spain's reputation as a manufacturer in the food and drink industry.

With over 3000 companies from 52 countries showcasing their products, along with more than 100,000 visitors from 149 countries attending, and 85,000 square metres dedicated to the trade fair, Alimentaria offers a comprehensive support program packed with tastings, presentations, conferences, workshops and live cooking demonstrations. Visitors can meet experts at Alimentaria Hub, where most knowledge sharing takes place.

Picture: Alimentaria

Leipziger Buchmesse 2024: March 21st – 24th; Leipzig, Germany

The fourth event on our list is also the biggest in terms of scale and attendance. March is the time of the Leipziger Buchmesse 2024, an unmissable event in the spring calendar for book and media enthusiasts worldwide. Known as the Leipzig Book Fair in English, this annual gathering of media professionals, authors, publishers and translators has been the heart and soul of publishing not only in Germany but throughout Europe.

Held at Messe Leipzig, the Leipziger Buchmesse fosters meaningful connections between authors and readers, publishers and media entities. Spanning across the vast landscape of the publishing world, the Leipziger Buchmesse embraces all genres from fiction and non-fiction to children's and young adult books, as well as academic and specialised literature. With 2080 exhibitors from 40 countries and 274,000 international visitors, the fair offers a thematic arrangement in its exhibition halls, capturing the wealth of what's on offer.

Visitors can pick and choose the segments they can enjoy, including the Trend Forum Education, the Forum Children, Youth, Education, the Forum teaching practice of the Association for Educational Media, the Digital learning lab, and the Youth Campus UVĒRSĒ.

Picture: Foto Tom Schulze

IFE 2024: March 25th – 27th; London, UK

We’re rounding out our list with a fun, culinary experience. IFE 2024 will drop the latest flavours and trends in the food and beverage industry at ExCeL London. Since its inception in 1979, IFE has evolved into a benchmark event for the sector globally. Co-located with Pro2Pac, a trade show focusing on food and drink processing and packaging, IFE offers a comprehensive overview of the entire processing chain. With additional segments like IFE Manufacturing, Hotel, Restaurant & Catering, and The Pub Show, the event covers a wide spectrum of product groups.

From beverages and grocery to chilled and frozen foods, health and wellbeing products, and specialty foods, IFE showcases an extensive product portfolio across eight food and drink zones. Attendees have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of flavour and explore new foods and drinks ready to hit the market.

But IFE features pizza championships, live chef demonstrations, discussions on the future of the industry, multiple forums, a gala event, and product presentations. With over 760 international exhibitors, 25,000 international trade visitors, and representation from 91 countries, IFE is where industry professionals come together to network, learn, and stay ahead of the curve.