France's Exhibition Powerhouses: Comexposium, GL events, and RX France

France stands as a significant hub in the global events industry, home to some of the most influential exhibition organizers worldwide. These companies play a crucial role in connecting businesses, fostering innovation, and driving economic activity across a multitude of sectors. Among the most prominent are Comexposium, GL events, and RX France, each bringing distinct strengths and extensive portfolios to the international stage.

Understanding the operations and strategic focus of these organizers provides valuable insight into the dynamics of the exhibition ecosystem. From large-scale B2B trade shows to public-facing cultural events, their work underpins a vast network of commerce and collaboration.

Comexposium: A Global Leader in Diverse Sectors

Comexposium holds a formidable position as a leading global event organizer, ranking second in France and fourth worldwide. Formed in 2008 from the merger of Comexpo and Exposium, the company has rapidly expanded its footprint, now organizing over 150 B2B and B2B2C events annually. Its diverse portfolio spans more than 10 sectors, including agriculture, construction, fashion, food, health, leisure, real estate, retail, security, students, and tourism.

Annually, Comexposium facilitates connections for approximately 48,000 exhibitors and attracts between 3.5 to 4 million visitors across more than 20 countries. Headquartered in France (Paris/Courbevoie), it employs over 400 full-time staff globally. Notable events under its umbrella include the iconic Foire de Paris, the Salon International de l'Agriculture, Paris Games Week, Rétromobile, and Paris Retail Week. The group is also committed to sustainability, evidenced by its “ALL INVOLVED” CSR strategy and a Positive Company® CSR label awarded in 2025.

GL events: Integrated Expertise Across the Event Lifecycle

GL events distinguishes itself through an integrated approach to the events industry, structured into three complementary divisions: Live (event planning, production, logistics), Exhibitions (organizing fairs and events), and Venues (managing a network of event venues). This comprehensive model allows GL events to offer end-to-end solutions, from conceptualization to execution and venue management.

The Exhibitions division is particularly robust, organizing 103 fairs and events annually. These events cover a broad spectrum of sectors, including industry, construction, culture and leisure, housing, environment, trade and distribution, fashion and textiles, agri-food, and swimming pools. With over 45 years of experience, GL events operates in more than 20 countries, boasting over 6,000 employees and reporting revenues of 1.315 billion euros in 2022.

Recent French Event Highlights

GL events consistently deploys its expertise across various French cities, showcasing its organizational prowess. In Spring 2025, the company managed several significant events:

• Orléans (March 21–30): A Japan-themed event.
• Lyon (April 4–14): The 105th edition of its Pop Culture theme fair at Eurexpo, featuring nearly 850 exhibitors.
• Clermont-Fèira (May 21–25): An event with 70% regional exhibitors.
• Toulouse (April 18–27): Welcomed an impressive 112,000 attendees.
• Amiens (June 6–15): Saw attendance rise by 7.7% compared to 2024 and earned ISO 20121 certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainable event management.

RX France: Part of a Global Exhibition Powerhouse

RX France, formerly known as Reed France or Reed Expositions France, is an integral part of RX (Reed Exhibitions), one of the largest global events organizers. RX Global orchestrates over 400 events in 22 countries across 43 industry sectors, making RX France a crucial arm in its European operations. Based in Paris, RX France specializes in organizing approximately 50 exhibitions, trade fairs, and conferences each year across multiple industry sectors.

The company provides comprehensive event management services, encompassing strategic planning, marketing, exhibitor acquisition, visitor management, venue coordination, and on-site logistics. Its portfolio includes internationally recognized events such as MIPIM, MAPIC, Batimat, Pollutec, EquipHotel, SITL, IFTM, Big Data & AI Paris, MIPCOM, Paris Photo, and Cannes Yachting Festival. RX France, with approximately 606 employees as of May 2026, is also noted for its focus on data-driven solutions and digital platforms, indicating a forward-looking approach to event innovation.

Comparing France's Leading Event Organizers