Dubai-based exhibition and conference organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt recorded double-digit growth across its event portfolio in 2014, as overseas markets made major contributions to parent company Messe Frankfurt’s record €550 million in global sales for the year.

Sales revenue in 2014 for the UAE’s third largest trade fair organiser grew by 22 per cent year-on-year, while exhibitor numbers across its six events in 2014 was 5,103 – 19 per cent up on the previous year.

Visitor numbers to Epoc Messe Frankfurt’s Dubai shows also grew significantly; Intersec, Paperworld Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Automechanika Dubai, Hardware+Tools Middle East, and Light Middle East, attracted a combined 98,075 visitors from over 130 countries in 2014, 15 per cent more than in 2013.

Epoc Messe Frankfurt is one of 28 global subsidiaries of German-based Messe Frankfurt, the world’s fourth largest exhibition organiser.

Foreign business contributed 36 percent (€196 million) of the group's total sales revenue in 2014, making it the largest contribution ever by events outside the Frankfurt hub.

“We are extremely pleased with the outstanding results in 2014, which is largely due to the efforts of our sales, marketing and support teams”, said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

“We look forward to another big year in 2015 as we continue to explore fresh business opportunities in the dynamic Middle East region as part of the group's long-term master plan 'Messe Frankfurt 2020’.”

Epoc Messe Frankfurt crossed several milestones on the way to another standout year in 2014, which included the launch of Leatherworld Middle East, taking place for the first time in May 2015 in Dubai.

The company's expanded conference division also organised eleven dedicated conferences in 2014, including the Middle East’s first BOHS Worker Health Protection Conference and the inaugural GCC Car Modifications Conference.

Set for 2015 are the inaugural editions of the GCC Virology Conference, and the Managing Human Assets in Energy Forum, which now form a 15-conference portfolio of the fast-growing division.

As part of its long-term master plan ‘Messe Frankfurt 2020, the parent group achieved important milestones in an economic environment that was not always favourable and set its sights on new milestones for the years ahead.

On presenting the Group’s preliminary key figures for 2014 in Frankfurt this month (December 2014), Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, stressed: “With our sustainable profitability, we create the scope we need for developing our company and, in turn, strengthen our excellent market position in global growth markets”.

Messe Frankfurt’s strong operating business activities are reflected in the key figures for its events. Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, said: “Messe Frankfurt events worldwide played host to over 84,900 exhibitors – more than ever before – and over three million visitors.  Of the 120 trade fairs and exhibitions that took place around the globe, 76 events were held outside Germany.”