Exhibition to promote the company: overview of top events in Russia

Выставка для продвижения компании: обзор топ-мероприятий

Participation in industry exhibitions and forums has always been an important part of many companies' operations. In the context of sanctions and a focus on import substitution, such events have gained special significance. Today, they are not only an opportunity to "showcase yourself" or interact with colleagues, but also a real (and often the only) way to find new partners, suppliers, or sales channels.

Why Participate in Exhibitions?

There is an opinion that participating in exhibitions is purely an image-building exercise, with effects that are extremely difficult to measure or monetize. Active exhibiting does indeed boost a company's business reputation. However, it is not just about image. What else do industry exhibitions offer?

  • An opportunity for new companies to make a name for themselves
  • A way to confirm expertise and showcase the latest achievements
  • Competitor analysis and an overview of the industry's state
  • Networking. In a challenging economic environment, communication with industry colleagues has become especially important.
  • PR through media coverage
  • A stimulus for business development. Participating in exhibitions helps quickly track new trends, adopt fresh ideas, and reach new audiences.
  • Direct sales: during or after the exhibition. This factor should not be underestimated.

Major Exhibitions and Forums in Russia

This year, several international congresses and exhibitions have been canceled in Russia. However, the event calendar remains full. Across every industry, dozens, if not hundreds, of events are held annually in the country, ranging from seasonal and regional exhibitions to highly specialized and cross-industry forums. Some of these events are absolute must-attend for any company striving for successful promotion and growth. The 4D team has compiled a selection of industry-defining exhibitions that businesses should not miss.

Exhibitions in Economics, Business, and Finance

Ten years ago, there was only one truly large business event in Russia’s economy — the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Over time, the number of such events has grown significantly. Today, several major economic and investment forums are held annually in the country. Participating in them allows a company to emphasize its status and prestige.

Fashion and Light Industry Exhibitions

  • CPM — Collection Premiére Moscow – Russia's premier event for fashion, clothing design, and the textile industry. Annually, it gathers over 17,000 retailers, buyers, and brand representatives from dozens of countries. The exhibition features fashion shows, accessory displays, and retail services and equipment platforms.
  • Textillegprom – National wholesale fair for textile and light industry products and equipment, supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

Automotive Industry Exhibitions

  • MIMS Automobility Moscow – International exhibition of auto parts and maintenance equipment. This year, the focus will be on automotive and transport innovations. Companies developing autonomous vehicles, alternative fuels, and IT infrastructure for automotive business digitization will present their advancements.
  • Interauto – International automotive industry exhibition. Featuring the latest developments from domestic and global manufacturers of auto components, service equipment, and maintenance materials.
  • Autocomplex – A large international exhibition dedicated to the fuel service industry and automotive maintenance.

Exhibitions in Medicine and Health

  • Russian Healthcare Week – The country’s leading forum covering all segments of scientific and practical medicine and production. It unites over 500 exhibitors from 25+ countries.
  • St. Petersburg International Health Forum – One of the largest healthcare events. It gathers medical organizations, manufacturers, and suppliers of medical equipment, and investors. The business program includes conferences, roundtables on current medical issues, master classes, and a healthcare innovation competition.
  • Pharmtech & Ingredients – The country’s leading exhibition in the pharmaceutical industry. It brings together scientists, manufacturers, and distributors from Russia and CIS countries.
  • GMP Conference – A national congress on the pharmaceutical market, focused on the development and production of medicinal products.


Beauty Industry Exhibitions

  • InSharmExpo – International exhibition for the perfume and cosmetics industry. It covers the full range of services in cosmetology, hairdressing, nail care, perfume, and cosmetics.
  • Beauty Forum – One of the country's largest beauty industry events. In addition to a cosmetics and equipment exhibition, it includes a congress on aesthetic medicine and a series of master classes for cosmetologists, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists.

Real Estate, Construction, and Architecture Exhibitions

  • Developer Forum – The key event in Russia’s real estate and construction market. A platform for dialogue and expertise exchange between developers, banks, government representatives, and real estate specialists.
  • NatMallExpo – International exhibition for commercial real estate and retail. Participants include developers, investors, service providers, architectural firms, and consulting companies.
  • TechnoBuild – International engineering and construction congress and technology exhibition. Organized under the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation, it ranks among the top three industry events. Besides Russian business representatives, delegations from 20+ countries are expected.
  • MosBuild – Russia’s largest exhibition of construction and finishing materials. The exhibition attracts manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, architects, designers, and construction professionals.

Agriculture and Food Industry Exhibitions

  • AGRO-RUSSIA – A major forum for agriculture and the food industry. In addition to a large-scale trade show, a business program is provided. The forum hosts a business contact center and a product competition, with the top prize being a medal from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
  • PRODEXPO – The leading international exhibition of food products and beverages in Russia and Eastern Europe. It is traditionally a popular platform for presenting new products and brands.
  • Seafood Expo Russia & Global Fishery Forum – Exhibition of the seafood industry, marine products, technologies, and a fishery forum. A "Retail Center" business platform for negotiations between retail chains and fishery companies operates within the exhibition.


Industrial Exhibitions in Russia

  • Russian Industrialist – A large forum featuring representatives of industrial production, government bodies, business leadership, and industry experts. This year, the focus will be on new tools for industrial support and import substitution.
  • Innoprom – Russia’s main industrial exhibition, encompassing all industry segments. The event is organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. In 2022, more than 43,000 people participated, including dealers, suppliers, industrial complex representatives, and buyers from various countries.
  • RIMTOS – A leading event in machine tool manufacturing, involving industrialists, government representatives, businesses, and the banking sector.
  • Automation – An exhibition dedicated to automation issues in the industrial sector and the implementation of information technologies in production.

Cultural and Tourism Exhibitions

  • MITT – International tourism exhibition featuring over 1,500 companies from around the world. Participants include travel agencies, tour operators, booking system representatives, airlines, and transportation companies.
  • Intourmarket – A prestigious event held with the support of the Russian Ministry of Tourism and Rostourism. It annually gathers more than 90,000 participants from Russia and other countries.
  • St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum – The country’s main platform for exchanging experiences and dialogue between cultural institutions.

Exhibition Participation Formats

The most popular exhibition participation format is a stand. It can be either standard or branded — with custom design, special construction, thematic exhibits, an agreement signing area, and even a meeting room. However, stands are not the only way to participate. For additional brand promotion and attention, consider becoming a partner of the event or a specific area within the event. Partnership involves extra fees but offers more advertising and promotional tools. Demonstrating expertise can be achieved by participating in the business program. In this case, it's worth preparing a speaker to participate in one of the sessions, discussions, or roundtables. If the exhibition format includes a competition, consider submitting an entry for an award.
When choosing a format, it's important to ensure it aligns with your overall goals for the exhibition.

A clearly formulated goal is the axis that defines specific tasks, areas of work at the exhibition, and even the stand's design. For example, in 2022, 4D Communication Agency managed the Leningrad Region delegation at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The main goal of the stand was to attract investment to the region. When developing the stand’s concept, we aimed to connect two themes: environmental sustainability and high technology. The relaxation area featured digital panels with forest images, while the bar area was decorated with live plants. One of the main highlights was a photo zone where anyone could take a picture with the governor of the Leningrad Region, Alexander Drozdenko. Media personalities also helped attract attention to the stand. The main event was the visit of Philip Kirkorov. During the forum, he signed an agreement with the regional governor to build a shopping and entertainment center. Given the popularity of the "king of Russian pop," the event became one of the most notable at SPIEF and received widespread media coverage.

How to Make Your Exhibition Participation Effective?

Finally, here are five tips to help make your exhibition participation even more effective:


Don't Skimp on the Stand

Having an expensive and eye-catching stand is great. But if hiring designers and spending extra budget isn’t part of your plan, that’s okay too. You don’t need to build a castle or a half-scale model of an airplane at the venue. However, it's worth adding a touch of uniqueness to your stand. You can experiment with colors, lighting, or multimedia.

Don't Stay in One Place

As the saying goes, "A rolling stone gathers no moss." So spending the entire exhibition at your own stand is a questionable idea. Participate in the business program, attend sessions, discussions, and roundtables. Listen to industry colleagues and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Activate your press office (or hire a professional PR agency) to make your participation visible: initiate interviews, write press releases, meet the event's press office, and visit the press center, where you can always make new connections with journalists. The more active you are, the better.

Plan an Additional Program


An attractive stand is good, but without a well-thought-out program, it will remain just a pretty decoration. Inviting celebrities, having robot waiters, or using multimedia features will help you stand out from the competition and attract the attention of the media and your target audience.

Don't Underestimate Souvenirs

Many people are skeptical about souvenirs at industry exhibitions, seeing them as an additional burden on the event budget or a waste of time. The potential of souvenir products is often underestimated. During exhibitions, souvenirs can serve two purposes. First, they can enhance your image in the eyes of partners through positive emotions. Second, they help spread the word about your brand to a wider audience. After all, even a simple pen can become an additional marketing channel. However, you don't have to limit yourself to pens. The business souvenir market today offers endless possibilities for creativity.

Trust the Professionals

Self-organizing a stand doesn’t guarantee failure, but in 99% of cases, it will involve many unforeseen difficulties and challenges. Partnering with a professional team will eliminate the risk of mishaps and errors. You won’t have to constantly worry about something going wrong. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on the main goals — the business program, networking, and building partnerships. Additionally, professional organizers will handle the creative part of the project: from creating an interesting stand concept to developing additional activities and producing souvenirs. These and many other expo services can be provided by our agency, allowing you to relax! Submit a consultation request: 4D Communication Agency Contacts.

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