In the glossary of the Professional Congress Organizer, the term “fair” is essential, as it refers to one of the largest and most attended types of events.

The term—derived from the Latin “fĕria”, literally meaning “holiday”—refers to a regular meeting held at fixed intervals (e.g., annually or biennially) for sellers and buyers. It differs from other similar events in its longer duration and, among other things, the presence of wholesale trade. It is, therefore, an exhibition dedicated to the production of a specific industry, at a regional, national, or international level, taking place in various pavilions within the same area or in rooms of a large building. At least two broad categories of fairs should be distinguished: on one hand, the local fair, usually coinciding with the patron saint’s day, characterized by food stalls and retail trade; on the other hand, large events, typically set up in dedicated areas, with large public attendance, often largely made up of industry professionals related to the fair’s subject, but also open to the general public.

To host a fair, it is essential to have spaces and rooms large enough and wharehouses, as well as adaptable infrastructure based on the economic sector of the fair, and setups suitable for both exhibition spaces and business meeting areas, catering areas, and informational panels.