• AFE Board of Directors Unanimously Approves the Admission of IberStand, Grupo Intermedio and SQM Soluciones Multimedia as Associate Members
• The association also announces that the 3rd AFE-APCE Congress, to be held in Córdoba from 8 to 11 July, has reached its target attendance

The Board of Directors of the Spanish Trade Fair Association (AFE) has unanimously approved the admission of IberStand, Grupo Intermedio, and SQM Soluciones Multimedia as associate members of the association.

IberStand is a company specializing in the design, production and construction of exhibition stands for trade fairs, congresses and events. Founded in 1998, with facilities in Toledo and Madrid, the company is committed to innovation, service excellence and collaboration with the leading players in the exhibition industry. IberStand aims to contribute to strengthening a key sector for business promotion, networking and the generation of new business opportunities. With extensive experience in creating bespoke exhibition spaces, the company regularly participates in numerous national and international events, delivering turnkey solutions that combine design, functionality and sustainability. IberStand employs a team of 35 professionals.

Grupo Intermedio, founded in 1997, has spent nearly 30 years transforming ideas into temporary spaces. With facilities in Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona and a team of more than 40 professionals, the company has established itself as a benchmark in the design and construction of exhibition stands for trade fairs, corporate events, art exhibitions and outdoor installations. The dedication, commitment and expertise of its team enable the company to meet the objectives and deadlines of every project while maintaining long-lasting, trusted relationships with clients and suppliers. Grupo Intermedio is committed to environmental protection and pollution prevention through its activities and services, the continuous improvement of its environmental management system, compliance with all applicable legal and other environmental requirements, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to its business.

SQM Soluciones Multimedia, based in Barcelona, is an audiovisual technology company specializing in trade fairs, congresses and corporate events throughout Spain. Since 2009, it has provided audiovisual, LED, lighting, sound and rigging solutions for projects across Spain and Europe, supported by its headquarters in Poland and its operational base in the United Kingdom. The company has its own local warehouse, in-house logistics and a highly specialized technical team, enabling it to manage projects from concept through completion. In addition to offering a comprehensive catalogue of audiovisual equipment for all types of events, SQM provides innovative solutions including LED spheres, kinetic LED walls, rotating LED totems, transparent LED displays and other cutting-edge technologies designed to create high-impact visual experiences.

Commenting on these new admissions, Xabier Basañez, President of the Spanish Trade Fair Association, said: “We are delighted to warmly welcome these three companies as associate members of our association. Our significant growth, both in the number of organiser members and associate members, reinforces our conviction that the exhibition industry is made up of a wide range of stakeholders whose collaboration is essential to providing the highest level of service to the companies, professionals and sectors that rely on trade fairs as an unrivalled and powerful marketing tool. With these new additions, our membership now stands at 58, and we remain committed to continued growth.”

Regarding the 3rd AFE-APCE Congress, to be held in Córdoba from 8 to 11 July, the association is pleased to announce that its registration targets have already been achieved, although a limited number of last-minute registrations can still be accommodated.

The congress will feature an extensive programme of keynote presentations, workshops and panel discussions. Participation is open not only to members of both associations but also to professionals from organisations and companies connected with the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry.

The event will take place at the Córdoba Exhibition, Fair and Convention Centre (CEFC) and the Córdoba Conference Centre, located opposite the Mosque-Cathedral. The congress is supported by the Córdoba City Council, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Provincial Council of Córdoba, as well as a number of leading sponsoring companies.

For further information, please visit: https://cordoba2026.eventosafeapce.com

The Spanish Trade Fair Association (AFE) is a non-profit organisation established in 1964. It currently has 58 member organisations and represents 90% of Spain’s trade fair activity. Trade fairs in Spain generate an estimated annual economic impact of €13.6 billion (including direct, indirect and induced effects), contribute €6.9 billion to the country’s GDP, and support more than 124,400 direct and indirect jobs. Spain ranks among Europe’s leading trade fair markets, alongside Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.