The European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA) participated in the 2025 edition of the European Commission's Research & Innovation Days, reinforcing the exhibition sector's role as a key driver of innovation, knowledge transfer and European competitiveness.

The sixth edition of R&I Days gathered policymakers, researchers, business leaders and industry stakeholders across two days and more than 20 sessions. Debates centred on the EU's next long-term budget and major upcoming legislative files, offering the exhibition industry a direct window into shaping Europe's research and innovation agenda.
The event opened with a keynote by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who set out the EU's ambition to become the world's leading hub for research and innovation. Commissioner for Startups, Research & Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva stressed the need to complete the Single Market to strengthen EU competitiveness, while Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in science. Author and science communicator Lucy Hawking engaged audiences on the excitement of discovery and the importance of public engagement with research.
Key policy topics included the European Startup & Scaleup Strategy, the AI in Science Strategy, the European Life Sciences Strategy, and the forthcoming European Innovation and Research Area Acts — all areas where trade fairs and business events play a tangible role by connecting innovators, investors and end-users in trusted, face-to-face environments.

EEIA exchanged with Commission staff and other relevant agencies and stakeholders on the different strategies and related programmes, renewing and making new contacts in the key areas in the EU’s upcoming R&I Strategy and promoting the role of conferences, congresses and exhibitions in this field.