Anniversary at the Geneva Exhibition Centre: A space for visions for 100 years, from the Plainpalais to the Palexpo
- Urs Seiler
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Congratulations Palexpo! Palexpo's unparalleled accessibility, directly adjacent to Geneva Airport, its international reputation, its central location in Europe, its flexible infrastructure, and Geneva's global standing make it a top choice for trade fair organizers from around the world. Trade fairs and events gain international recognition on Palexpo's world stage. Now, the Geneva exhibition center is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
 Image: The world's leading trade fair EBACE, inside and outside Palexpo. Palexpo hosts world-class trade fairs and events such as Watches & Wonders, the EBACE business aviation trade fair, and INDEX, the international nonwovens trade fair and conference, as well as major congresses in the fields of medicine and technology. It is by far the venue with the most international trade fairs in Switzerland. |
In 2026, Geneva will celebrate a century of expertise in organizing regional and international trade and public events. To mark the occasion, Palexpo – a key player in this tradition since 1981 – will present a commemorative logo and a video highlighting the excellence, innovation, and technical mastery that have defined the industry. The event will be both a tribute to the past and a forward-looking vision, embodied in particular by the “Pavilion,” a next-generation modular space planned for 2028.  Palexpos CEO Claude Membrez. Swiss Excellence Since the inauguration of the former Plainpalais exhibition hall in the year Since 1926, Geneva has continuously conceived and hosted events that have contributed to its economic, social, and cultural identity. A century of ingenuity, openness, and high standards has laid the foundation for an event model that enjoys recognition far beyond its borders. The opening of Palexpo in 1981 marked a turning point. Far more than a change of location, it symbolized a significant expansion: a modular and visionary center designed to meet the growing needs of the international market. For over forty years, its infrastructure, expertise, and teams have supported organizers and exhibitors from around the world – always with the same unwavering commitment: to create an environment where Swiss excellence is reflected in every detail. |
Diverse spaces for the MICE industry
Star Quality at Palexpos trade fairs with Martina Navratilova pictured on the left.
The Palexpo convention center in the heart of Geneva offers an exceptional setting for organizing professional events. Modular, modern, and perfectly equipped, it can accommodate gala events, exhibitions, international congresses, conferences, meetings, or customized seminars for 200 to 2,200 participants. Its versatile spaces and dedicated team ensure that every event is an unforgettable experience.
A centenary also means reaffirming a shared vision for the future. Palexpo was created and continues to evolve thanks to a dedicated network of partners, clients, exhibitors, and organizers. Together, they shape and deliver the events of today and tomorrow. Driven by technological advancements and evolving audience expectations, event formats have fundamentally changed without ever losing their core: human encounters and interaction. Palexpo is guided by audience needs and therefore continuously develops its site, its processes, and the experiences it offers. The "Pavilion," a future 4,000 m² space with a forward-looking and responsible design, embodies this collective dynamic. Its opening in 2028 will place Palexpo at the forefront of next-generation event infrastructure.
The anniversary is ultimately a tribute : to all those who have shaped the tradition of the great salons in Geneva for a century, and to all the teams who continue and reinvent this legacy today. Because true expertise is not simply passed on: it is developed, expanded, and reinvented every single day.
To mark its 100th anniversary, Palexpo is unveiling a new logo, which will be featured on all promotional materials from 2026. A special edition of the magazine "Passé Simple" and a video will celebrate this milestone. The logo is conceived as a journey through time, tracing the company's rich history and decades of technical expertise, while simultaneously reinforcing an ambitious, innovative, and sustainable vision. |
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