• The Gran Canaria Fair strengthens its position as a driver and dynamize of the island’s socio-economic fabric

Fair and congress activity continues to rise in 2024. Following the good results at the end of 2023, Infecar, the Gran Canaria Fair, concluded this first semester with better figures than those presented in the same period of the previous year. In this way, Infecar consolidates its position as a reference space in the sector in Gran Canaria, driving and dynamizing the island’s socio-economic fabric.

“We closed the first semester of the year by consolidating Infecar’s position to boost and dynamize the society and business sector of Gran Canaria. Around 93,000 people have visited Infecar in this first semester, also considerably improving with 416 exhibitors compared to 232 last year,” said Minerva Alonso, Minister of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce, and Crafts of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria.

Regarding its organization activity, Infecar organized six fairs and two events between January and June, with 50,591 visitors participating. Two of the five fairs held did not count attendees, as with Canariona so that this number would be even higher.

As for exhibitors, the figure rises to 416 compared to 232 exhibitors who showcased their products in the same period in 2023, representing a 79% increase, indicating the healthy state of the fair sector in Gran Canaria.

This first semester also showed excellent results regarding the choice of Infecar for holding fairs, events, congresses, conventions, conferences, and various activities. In total, 72 events were held with 42,865 visitors, compared to 67 events and 41,440 visitors in 2023.

Activities in Detail

Infecar started 2024 by organizing the 29th edition of the Gran Canaria San Telmo Handicraft Fair for the first time, held from January 2 to 5, with a completely renewed image. On this occasion, 102 artisans participated, showcasing and selling their products, leveraging the importance of this space as an open shopping centre and a neuralgic communication centre of the island’s capital, thus contributing to the reactivation of the local economy and the handicraft sector.

DigiON, the Canary Islands Business Digitalization Show, successfully held its second edition, consolidating itself as the epicentre of digitalization in the archipelago and a meeting point for professionals in the sector. This professional fair gathered 43 exhibiting companies and 1,168 visitors.

In March, Infecar took over from Fedac with the 13th edition of the Gran Canaria Spring South Handicraft Fair, which featured 68 artisans from 16 municipalities of Gran Canaria displaying 24 different crafts.

In April, nearly 13,000 visitors filled their pantries with the aromas and flavours of our land at the 11th edition of the Gran Canaria Me Gusta Fair. This flagship event in Infecar’s fair calendar broke records with the participation of 81 companies and 19 municipalities, compared to 51 companies and 16 municipalities in 2023, marking a 33% increase.

Canarias Comunica, the Canary Islands Communication Forum, focused once again on the synergy between virality and brand identity to achieve success in its 12th edition. This time, 338 marketing, advertising, and communication enthusiasts debated viral content versus brand identity.

On May 29, the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza de Santa Ana, transformed into the stage for the ‘Canariona’ festival, an annual event organized by Infecar and promoted by the Cabildo to celebrate Canary Islands Day, where insular-rooted music and culture reinforce the sense of Canarian identity and belonging to an Atlantic archipelago.

The International Sea Fair celebrated its 13th edition at Muelle Sanapú, attracting over 15,000 visitors in three days. A bustling local and foreign audience surrounded the fifty participating companies and 80 stands, boosting the development of the blue economy.

Fisaldo, the Opportunity Fair, closed the first half of 2024 with nearly 22,000 visitors and 68 fashion, beauty, home, decoration, leisure, and entertainment exhibitors, with almost 30% new exhibitors compared to the previous year.

Infecar also witnessed the hosting of numerous meetings and work sessions, theatre plays and shows, concerts, award ceremonies, congresses, conferences, fairs, and events during this first semester. Among others, Infecar hosted the concerts ¡Vive la salsa!; World Rock Music; Dance City; Locos x el Rock & Roll; the National Pact of Mayors Meeting; Conecta TIC; Smart Green Island Makeathon; the I Gran Canaria Ecoisla 2030 Symposium; the I Women’s Football Gala; Mentes Expertas conferences with Luis Galindo, Pilar Sordo, or Mario Alonso Puig; ‘Authority and Limits’ with Carlos González; ‘Interview with my Daughter Mari’ by Antonia San Juan; ¡Finally Together! with Facu Díaz and Miguel Maldonado; the XVII Pink Catwalk Fashion Show; the performances ‘Polichinela’s Rattle’; ‘Ludwig: a Musical Journey Through Europe with Beethoven’ or ‘Chihiro’s Journey’; the II En Modo Family Fair; or the AVIS Canarias Fair.

30th Anniversary of the Gran Canaria Congress Palace

The second half of the year begins at Infecar, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Gran Canaria Congress Palace this July. This experience-driven space has hosted numerous local, national, and international congresses, conferences, seminars, and events.

It can host over 2,000 people in various spaces equipped with all the technical means necessary to develop any event, adapting its spaces to offer a personalized experience.

Infecar will continue positioning itself throughout the year as the reference space in Gran Canaria for fairs and congresses, contributing to the economic development of the island’s business sector and being an experience-driven space for its thousands of visitors.

Calendar for the Last Semester

The 17th edition of the Gran Canaria Faro de Maspalomas Handicraft Fair will return from August 9 to 18. This summer event showcases the best of our land’s handicrafts.

Animundo, the Pet Fair, will be held on September 28 and 29; Movelec, the Canary Islands Electric Vehicle Show, from October 18 to 29; and the Origins Congress, from October 28 to 30.

ExpoDeca, the Canary Islands Physical Activity and Sports Congress and Fair, promoted by the Canary Islands Government through the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports, and organized by Infecar, will debut on the calendar from November 14 to 17. The International Canagua and Energy Fair will hold its 14th edition from November 27 to 29.

In December, Planeta Gran Canaria will once again close the year’s fair activities from December 26 to January 4, 2025.