• The presentation of the new strategy and corporate brand was attended by their Majesties the King and Queen, alongside the President of the Senate, the President of the Community of Madrid, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Mayor of Madrid, among other dignitaries, politicians and business leaders.
• The company is undertaking a strategic review aimed at promoting its two main goals: digitisation and internationalisation. Its positioning in the field of sustainability and innovation, placing people at the centre, will also play an important role in this new phase.
• Digital platforms and services and the hybridisation of its fairs will add 30% to current turnover over the next 3 years, adding more than 40 million euros in revenue. Thanks to the new online environments and professional communities, it is estimated that the reach and internationalisation of IFEMA’s activity will generate a 150% increase in global audiences, to reach around 25 million visitors and active users.
This new corporate identity reflects IFEMA MADRID’s determination to evolve its business model, expand and diversify its revenue streams, and generate opportunities and alliances to boost its presence in new markets, in addition to providing value and significance to the Madrid brand as one of its ambassadors.
IFEMA MADRID launches its new strategy and brand image in an event that took place at IFEMA’s Palacio Municipal headquarters, which was attended by their Majesties the King and Queen, alongside the President of the Senate, the President of the Community of Madrid, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, the Mayor of Madrid, the President of the Assembly of Madrid, and the Government Delegate in Madrid, among other dignitaries, politicians and business leaders.
IFEMA MADRID takes a step forward to publicise the transformation process it is undergoing, and promote the key strands in its business model moving forward. A change that seeks to offer a more digital, inspirational, flexible and smart product, with the ambition of turning Madrid into an international leader in the fairs, congresses and meetings sector.
Thus, with a legacy of forty years behind it, IFEMA MADRID’s journey is now at a turning point, anticipating the demands of the digital market by developing its own platforms that will provide a huge competitive advantage in addition to expanding business opportunities for 365 days a year and breaking through physical limitations, with a view to occupying a leading position in the main international markets.
According to the president of the IFEMA MADRID Executive Committee, Jose Vicente de los Mozos, “today, no one questions the potential of digital and hybrid gatherings, which are giving way to smarter, more competitive and profitable events. They have come to satisfy a society that is changing, which, for IFEMA MADRID, means a twofold challenge: to revolutionise its business model and to lead not only in Spain but also in international markets”
Digital business and hybridisation: more than 40 million euros
Against this background, the new strategy has a very favourable outlook. If we add the new digital business to the current face-to-face business model it will undoubtedly grow the wealth creation potential of IFEMA MADRID. The goal is that, in 3 years, 30% of income will come from the digital space, and that global audiences will increase by 150%, until professional communities exceeding 25 million people in total are being managed. These professionals will participate in smarter events that will be much more profitable for their companies. In terms of turnover, this growth from the digital space could reach an annual contribution of around 40 million euros.
In fact, embracing digitisation has made it possible to maintain a connection with companies over these past months; with the sectors represented in the fairs having, as of today, a programme that includes 16 fully digital exhibitions in 2021, and also, based on this experience, the transformation of more than 50 face-to-face fairs into hybrid exhibitions.
Added to this is the institution’s initiative in creating innovative projects worldwide, in such important areas as sustainability or healthcare, which will soon be officially presented, as well as in leading not only in Spain but also in the international markets, and, very especially, in Latin America, the main market where our companies are focussing and where the digitisation of fairs opens up great opportunities.
New corporate identity
This new momentum has coincided with a change in corporate identity, through the design and conception of a new brand that represents the values of this powerful project for the future. To this end, IFEMA MADRID has committed to a thorough renovation of its image, recognising the legacy of a brand that has been part of Madrid’s history and landscape over the last 30 years.
The new image, produced by the Brandfor agency, changes design and concept in an exercise that evokes continuous movement, the dynamism of companies and people, and innovation. It is part of and a symbol of Madrid, an international focus for the cultural avant-garde, for business and changing trends. And is inspired by the power of the transformation and strength that IFEMA brings to its communities. The development of the new image seeks to draw attention to IFEMA MADRID’s strengths through a new visual universe adapted to digital environments, which accompanies and identifies its business strategy, capable of continuing to drive its business into the future.
“Feel the inspiration” is the new claim for a brand that wants to convey a proactive and positive attitude from its leading position as a promoter of knowledge, creativity and talent, highlighting the contribution that “Living the experience” implies. A brand that wants to convey the value of IFEMA MADRID, to promote and empower people and businesses, and impact society, being a source of inspiration and innovation for its audiences thanks to its dynamism and vitality.
An open brand, capable of generating value for its customers and its audiences, capable of building solid relationships, full of energy and passion, and one that turns the essence of Madrid into an appealling focus through the wealth of its experience.
According to IFEMA MADRID’s CEO, Eduardo López-Puertas, “IFEMA’s magic lies in its ability to connect ideas and people. To generate ecosystems for innovation and development. To harmonise the intelligence, ingenuity and creativity of so many companies, people and sectors that share their talent and knowledge. A magic that we have undoubtedly embodied in the new IFEMA MADRID brand, announcing to the world our ability to continue inspiring companies and being a source of transformation”.
Bringing value to Madrid
The new IFEMA MADRID brand and the strategy that precedes it will also contribute to adding value to Madrid, both in terms of image and prestige in the international MICE market, as well as in terms of economic impact and the dynamisation of the different sectors that are directly impacted by IFEMA MADRID’s activities, which will now be substantially improved with the new business models that have now been put into operation. It should not be forgotten that, based on our figures for 2019, the last year of activity prior to COVID-19, the estimated impact stands at a little over 5.1 billion euros, representing 3.8% of the GDP of the city of Madrid, and 2.2% of the GDP of the Community of Madrid, as well as contributing 39,343 jobs.
