Fira de Barcelona and GL events sign an international strategic collaboration agreement

Fira de Barcelona will be in charge of the management of the Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB) from November 2021 and, thanks to an agreement signed yesterday, ensures the gradual transition in the management of the CCIB, its activity level and jobs. The possibility of jointly undertaking international projects is also contemplated.

The agreement between Fira de Barcelona and GL events, which will continue beyond 2021 with business collaboration and the provision of services by the French operator, thus enhances this important congress venue in Barcelona and the synergies between the two organizations.

In this regard, it is established that from now on and until Fira takes over the CCIB management, the two organizations will jointly market the venue spaces for events to be held between November 2021 and 2026, maintaining their contribution to the activity and occupation of this Barcelona congress center located in the Besòs area.

The aim, in addition to securing jobs at the CCIB and its business model, is to facilitate the transfer and generate synergies during the transition period for the benefit of the convention center, its customers and the city’s status as a venue for trade fairs.

The agreement also includes the possibility of pursuing new international strategic collaboration opportunities between the French multinational, GL events, and Fira de Barcelona in order to develop new projects, preferably in Asia and Latin America.

Barcelona City Council, owner of the CCIB, awarded its management to Fira de Barcelona for a period of 25 years, starting in November 2021. The CCIB is currently managed by GL events CCIB SL, whose capital is divided between the French multinational GL events (80%), Barcelona City Council (12%) and the Barcelona Hotel Association (8%).

Thanks to the endeavours of the excellent professional team, as well as the confidence placed in the future of the Forum district, an area of the city that was poorly developed at the time, it was possible for GL events to commit to the Barcelona International Convention Centre more than 15 years ago.

The CCIB, which has a surface area of more than 100,000 square meters, had a turnover of nearly €38 million in 2018 after holding 119 different events. Since it commenced operations in 2004, it has hosted more than 1,500 events of all kinds including congresses, conventions, cultural events and concerts, with more than 6.8 million attendees.