• The figures reflect the growth in the number of events and participants, already exceeding pre-pandemic levels
• Infecar continues to reinforce its position as a space that promotes business, experiences and knowledge

Trade fair and congress activity have already returned to pre-pandemic levels, reflected in the participation figures for Infecar, Feria de Gran Canaria, throughout the first half of 2023.

In terms of its activity, between January and June, Infecar organised a total of five fairs and two events, which were attended by 53,627 visitors, which is 31.51% more than the participation figures for 2022, when four fairs and two events were held, with 40,777 attendees.

However, the most significant growth has occurred in the external activity in the Gran Canaria Convention Centre and the public venue, which concludes this first semester with 67 events and 41,440 attendees, compared to 37 events and 18,025 attendees in 2022. These figures put the increase in business at 44.78% in terms of occupancy and 129.9% in terms of the number of participants.

With all this, Infecar is experiencing one of the most emotional moments in its 57-year history. It will also be reinforced with the construction of the new pavilion, which will complement and expand the venue’s capacity in line with its current uses.

New sectors

The year 2023 began with the launch of the first International Ecoislas Forum, and an initiative focused on finding measures to promote a transition towards a greener, more profitable and sustainable socio-economic model with an island approach, attended by more than 700 participants from seven countries.

DigiON Canarias, the Canary Islands Business Digitalisation Show, also made its debut in Infecar’s calendar of trade fairs and events, which served as a meeting and debate point for solutions and challenges in digital transformation, with 32 exhibitors showing their proposals in a professional, multi-sector event designed to respond to the need for digital solutions and technological innovation.

The Gran Canaria Me Gusta Fair celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, demonstrating its commitment to the primary sector and the island’s local products, with around sixty exhibitors selling local produce and enjoying gastronomic exhibitions, tastings, competitions and workshops. For its part, the Canary Islands Communication Forum, Canarias Comunica 2023, offered a space for debating marketing and communication strategies, attracting renowned creatives in social networks.

With 23 editions, Fisaldo, the Opportunities Fair, beat the records set before the pandemic with more than 23,000 visitors and 63 exhibitors, consolidating itself as a meeting point for small and medium-sized businesses in Gran Canaria and an event that boosts the local economy.

Infecar concluded with the 12th edition of the International Sea Fair, Fimar, which presented a model of intelligent beaches that is unique worldwide, attracting more than 18,000 people and filling the Muelle Santa Catalina with exhibitors, informative activities and a large leisure area.

Likewise, Infecar has also witnessed during this first semester the celebration of meetings and work meetings; plays and shows; concerts; award ceremonies; congresses; conferences; fairs and events.

Among many others, the following stand out: ‘Ménàge à Trois conference by psychologist Patricia Ramírez; the fourth edition of World Rock Music Gran Canaria; the Smart Green Island Makeathon; Arkano’s ‘Ser diferentes’ event; the Canary Islands Dual Vocational Training Congress; the Autonomous Vocational Training Competition ‘Canarias Skills’; an Expert Minds by Víctor Küppers and another by Mario Alonso Puig; the Regional Restaurant Awards Gala ‘Qué Bueno Canarias’; the ‘Rumbo’ Island Youth Fair; the LPA Motown; the show ‘Aiguantulivin América 3’ by Goyo Jiménez or the fair En Modo Family.