Palexpo celebrates 100 years of event expertise in Geneva
In 2026, Geneva celebrates 100 years of event management excellence.
This milestone marks a century since the opening, in June 1926, of the former Palais des Expositions in Plainpalais – the starting point of a modern tradition of fairs and exhibitions. Since then, Geneva has continuously imagined, hosted, and developed events that have contributed to its economic, social, and cultural influence. That year paved the way for an ambitious momentum driven by expertise that has grown stronger over the decades.
Since 1981, Palexpo has been the main heir to this legacy and has carried forward the momentum initiated in 1926. The opening of its current site represented a strategic turning point: more than a change of address, it marked the creation of a modular and visionary venue designed to meet the growing needs of the international market. For more than forty years, its infrastructure, professions, and teams have supported organisers and exhibitors from around the world with a constant ambition: to offer a setting where Swiss excellence is reflected in every detail.
The centenary celebrated in 2026 highlights this remarkable evolution by showcasing the expertise developed since the inauguration of the first Palais des Expositions. This know‑how is the heritage of a century of expertise, passion, and precision. It has positioned Geneva as a key player in economic development, hosting a wide range of events open to all audiences while maintaining a strong tradition of excellence.
This heritage is not limited to the past: it continuously evolves, adapts, and innovates. As event formats change in response to technological innovations and new audience expectations, Palexpo constantly adapts its site, its practices, and the experiences it offers. The “Pavillon,” a future 4,000‑sqm modular space planned for 2028, embodies this evolution: a flexible, responsible venue designed to meet the needs of next‑generation events.
Geneva’s event know‑how is also shaped by an engaged ecosystem – partners, clients, exhibitors, and organisers – who design events together today while imagining those of tomorrow. This is why we celebrate a know‑how patiently built over decades, a shared pride among all those who keep this dynamic alive.
Finally, this anniversary pays sincere tribute to all the individuals who, over the past century, have shaped Geneva’s tradition of major exhibitions, as well as to the teams who continue to sustain and reinvent this legacy today. True know‑how is not only transmitted: it is cultivated, enriched, and reinvented every day. Celebrating a centenary means recognizing the value created collectively and affirming a shared vision of the future, carried by those who will shape the events of tomorrow.