Tehran – August 28, 2025 – At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Iran International Exhibitions Association, attended by Mr. Ali Emami, Director General of the Logistics Services Office at the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, emphasis was placed on adopting a strategic perspective toward the exhibition industry as one of the most significant tools for advancing the nation’s exports.

The session began with a report by Mr. Rahim Jalili, President of the Iran International Exhibitions Association, on branding projects, export‑oriented exhibitions, and ongoing follow‑up on issues concerning member centers — including the topic of exhibition center ranking.

Expressing his pleasure at being present among the Association’s board members, Mr. Emami stated: “The exhibition industry is among the most important tools for creating demand and boosting exports; however, it has long been overlooked and received insufficient attention. Stakeholders in this sector, particularly the owners of exhibition venues, possess valuable capital and expertise that can set major transformations in motion for the country’s trade.”

Referring to the involvement of some exhibition centers in event organization, he added: “The decision of venue owners to engage in exhibition execution and establish international connections brings with it new opportunities such as reciprocal use of exhibition space and cooperation with foreign centers. These outcomes will have a positive impact not only on the exhibition industry, but also on the country’s trade as a whole.”

The Director General also addressed certain legal and property‑related challenges facing some exhibition sites, proposing: “It is essential to form a strong legal team to pursue issues relating to exhibition lands. The Trade Promotion Organization, the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, and the Association must work together to safeguard the rights of these centers.”

He emphasized that securing financial resources for infrastructure standardization, utilizing export incentives, and drafting a roadmap for the exhibition industry are among the Trade Promotion Organization’s priorities. In this process, the Iran International Exhibitions Association serves as a supportive arm of the Organization.

On the subject of exhibition center ranking, Mr. Emami further announced: “This year, compared to the past, stricter evaluation criteria have been introduced, and our approach has shifted from hardware‑oriented indicators toward software‑oriented criteria. Managerial quality, the number of international exhibitions, foreign interactions, and promotional programs are among the core new indicators. This year’s rankings will be finalized by next week.”