Ifes

Name

Ifes

Legal name

International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services

Website

https://ifesnet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Clemente

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: IFES generates revenue through membership fees from company members, national associations, and partner associations. The membership provides access to the global network, partner directory, resources, events, and collaboration opportunities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

IFES is a non-profit international federation that operates a trust-based membership network of 350+ national associations and individual company members across 47 countries serving the exhibition and event services industry. Its core offering is member access to a global partner and venue directory, the World Summit and Masterclass educational events, the IFES Global Experience Exchange knowledge platform, sustainability initiatives (Better Stands, Materials Database), the Beyond the Booth podcast, and the Ambassador Programme — enabling members to source qualified local partners and venues worldwide under a shared Code of Conduct.

Product overview

IFES (International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services) is a global association network rather than a software product company. It operates as a collaborative network connecting 350+ national associations and registered company members from 47 countries in the exhibition and events industry. The organization's core offerings include: the IFES Global Network (membership directory for finding partners and venues), educational events (World Summit, Masterclasses in various locations), professional development resources (Global Experience Exchange, Trade Show Venues Database), sustainability initiatives (Materials Database, Better Stands program), the Beyond the Booth podcast, and the IFES Ambassador Programme for regional representation. These services work together to enable the 'Working Local, Globally' approach, helping members find trusted partners and venues worldwide for exhibitions, tradeshows, and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IFES Ambassador Programme: An initiative that helps grow IFES global network, increase visibility in different regions, and strengthen IFES' role in the exhibitions and events industry.

Products and services

• IFES Membership (Global Network Access) Recurring membership in a trust-based global federation of 350+ national associations and individual exhibition services companies from 47 countries, providing access to the partner directory, network, Code of Conduct, events, and resources. Members gain access to vetted partners and venues worldwide under the 'Working Local, Globally' model.
• IFES World Summit Annual flagship conference bringing together global exhibition and event professionals for knowledge sharing, networking, and industry strategy. The signature annual gathering of the IFES network.
• IFES Masterclass (Poland) Hands-on professional development masterclass program for exhibition and event industry professionals, held regionally (e.g., Poland 2026).
• IFES Masterclass (Dallas, with EDPA) Collaborative masterclass program co-hosted with EDPA (Exhibit Designers and Producers Association) for North American exhibition industry professionals (Dallas 2026).
• Beyond the Booth Podcast IFES podcast series covering exhibition and event industry topics including professional development, sustainability, and global market trends, distributed via YouTube and podcast platforms.
• IFES Ambassador Programme Strategic initiative connecting experienced exhibition and events professionals as ambassadors to grow IFES global network, increase regional visibility, and strengthen industry presence.
• Sustainability Materials Database Database for sharing and discovering sustainable materials and practices used in exhibition stand construction and event production.
• IFES Global Experience Exchange Member platform for sharing industry knowledge, best practices, and professional resources across the IFES network.
• Trade Show Venues Database Searchable database of trade show venues exceeding 40,000 square meters around the world, supporting venue sourcing for exhibition projects.
• IFES Talent Team Program for young professionals in the IFES network providing structured involvement, governance exposure, and career development opportunities in the exhibition services industry.
• Better Stands Sustainability initiative focused on improving exhibition stand design and construction practices across the industry, with dedicated IFES program management.
• Online AI Training Course Online training program focused on AI education for exhibition and event industry professionals, scheduled for launch in March 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Enables members to work locally anywhere globally, eliminating need for transport and logistics and reducing carbon footprint

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAEE is listed as an official global association partner of IFES. The organizations collaborate on industry initiatives, education, and events including joint Masterclasses (e.g., Dallas Masterclass EDPA x IFES).
• IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAPCO is an official global association partner. Joint education workshops are conducted (e.g., joint IFES/IAPCO education workshop at IMEX).
• ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICCA is listed as an official global association partner, collaborating on industry standards and events.
• JMIC (Joint Meetings Industry Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJMIC is an official global association partner. IFES supports JMIC initiatives including the Global Manifesto for business events.
• UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUFI is listed as an official global association partner, representing the exhibition industry at a global level.
• National Exhibition Industry Associations (47 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner20+ National/International/Global Partner Associations from 47 countries including associations from Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, Zambia.
• fwd. (Events Industry Sustainability Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFES and fwd. launched a new ISO 20121 convoy for the event industry, supporting sustainability certification.
• Net Zero Carbon EventsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFES supports Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, with Johanna Fuhlendorf appointed as Programme Director.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IAPCO - International Association of Professional Congress Organisers: IAPCO is the global association for professional congress organizers, focused on education, accreditation, and quality standards. IFES and IAPCO run joint education workshops (e.g., at IMEX), serving overlapping audiences across the meetings and events ecosystem.
• EDPA - Exhibit Designers and Producers Association: EDPA is the North American association for exhibit designers, builders, and producers—directly comparable to IFES's core service-supplier member base. EDPA co-hosts the Dallas Masterclass with IFES, indicating near-perfect overlap in member profile and value proposition.
• UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry: UFI is the leading global association for the exhibition industry, covering venues, organizers, and service providers across 70+ countries. Like IFES, it offers global networking, advocacy, and education to exhibition professionals, but is broader in scope (includes venue operators and organizers). The two are official global partners.
• JMIC - Joint Meetings Industry Council: JMIC is an umbrella council for 20+ national and international meetings-industry associations, including IFES itself. It focuses on industry advocacy, the Global Manifesto, and public-policy engagement, making it a coordinating body for the same ecosystem IFES serves.
• SISO - Society of Independent Show Organizers: SISO is a membership community for for-profit show organizers with a stated mission similar to IFES's: sharing best practices, peer networking, and education. While focused on organizers rather than suppliers, it competes for industry mindshare and member attention.
• MPI - Meeting Professionals International: MPI is the largest global association for meeting and event professionals with 70+ chapters worldwide. It offers certification (CMP, CMM), education, and networking, overlapping with IFES on the professional-development and supplier-sourcing value chain.
• IAEE - International Association of Exhibitions and Events: IAEE serves exhibition and event organizers primarily in the Americas, offering the CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management) program and Expo! Expo! annual conference. IFES and IAEE run joint masterclasses (e.g., Dallas Masterclass with EDPA), confirming deep operational overlap in education.
• ICCA - International Congress and Convention Association: ICCA represents the international meetings industry, with a focus on association meetings and congresses. It overlaps with IFES on the event-services value chain (suppliers serving ICCA members), and the two maintain a strategic global partnership for industry advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• ASAE - American Society of Association Executives: ASAE is the umbrella organization for association professionals across all industries, providing benchmarks, education, and thought leadership. While not exhibition-specific, IFES Management Office staff would naturally engage with ASAE for governance and operational best practices.

Regional players

• AEO - Association of Event Organisers: AEO is the UK trade association for event organizers, representing a national view of the same ecosystem IFES serves globally. It runs the AEO Awards, Forum, and Expo, and partners with IFES on mutual member benefits in the UK market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ifesglobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJCD1FUepmg8RKBmmnkASBw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ifesworldsummit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifes-international-federation-of-exhibition-and-event-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/ifes_global

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ifes