EMECA was formed to focus attention on the economic impact that the exhibition industry achieves throughout Europe.
 
Members are convinced of the active role they have to play in bringing together the international trading community. The EMECA exhibition centres strive to provide exhibitors and visitors with an excellent infrastructure and first-class information networks. In Europe they play an active part in the development of local trade. Outside Europe they help European companies come to terms with market globalisation and adopt appropriate initiatives, such as introducing exhibitors to foreign tradeshows, setting up new fairs and transferring technology to emerging markets.
 
EMECA is an important economic factor in Europe. More than 36 million visitors and upwards of 330,000 exhibitors take part in roughly 1,000 EMECA exhibitions. Direct expenditure by attendees and exhibitors tops € 16 billion. This is equivalent to more than 360,000 jobs, all of which depend on EMECA venues in Europe. (KPMG-study)