MCH Group: an important driving force for the regional economy

According to the current study, every franc generated by the MCH Group in Basel generates an additional CHF 4.50 for other sectors in the region. In total, the MCH Group's activities generated gross value added of CHF 330 million in Switzerland in 2023, CHF 201 million of which was generated in the Canton of Basel-Stadt alone. Florian Faber, Group CEO, emphasizes: "As the leading exhibition, congress and event organizer in Switzerland, we are an important catalyst for the regional economy. The new value creation study underlines the long-term added value that our national and international events generate for Basel."

The results of the study highlight the MCH Group's ongoing commitment to sustainable economic development and show that the company's impact extends beyond Basel and strengthens the entire region - including neighboring areas in Switzerland, Germany and France. "Major events such as Art Basel have a particularly strong public impact and attract hundreds of thousands of guests and tourists every year, who spend locally and thus boost the local economy," says Faber. However, the MCH Group's other events also attract a wide audience to Basel every year. "Our events attracted a total of around 700,000 visitors in 2023. There are signs of a further increase in visitor numbers for 2024. Despite changing market conditions, the demand for exhibitions and platforms for exchanging knowledge and networking remains high," says Roman Imgrüth, CEO Events & Exhibitions of the MCH Group.

Creating jobs and income

What is remarkable is that the MCH Group secures jobs in the region - not only directly, but also indirectly. Every job at the MCH Group in Basel creates five additional jobs along the value chains. This results in a total of 1,668 full-time equivalents (FTE) with a gross payroll of CHF 141 million, which illustrates the considerable employment effect of the MCH Group.

Catalytic effects for the region

The study also shows how the MCH Group acts as a central catalyst for the regional economy. Spillover effects result from the consumer spending of visitors and exhibitors, which generates direct sales for regional companies and creates additional added value, jobs and income. The tourism sector benefits particularly strongly from the activities of the MCH Group. Around CHF 105 million in added value is generated by the hotel and catering industry, the culture and entertainment sector and the retail and transport sectors. Letizia Elia, Director of Basel Tourism, emphasizes: "As an internationally established congress, exhibition and event city, Basel benefits from the high added value generated by these events and the associated occupancy rates in the hotel and catering sector. The thematically diverse events shape the image of the city and carry it out into the world through the international guests."

In addition, local companies such as cleaning services, security firms and consulting agencies benefit from orders that are linked to the activities of the MCH Group. Group CEO Florian Faber emphasizes: "We are proud to be a key driving force for Basel as a business location and see it as our responsibility and core task to continue to generate added value in the future and provide impetus that will further advance and strengthen the region. At the same time, we want to remain innovative, adapt to the changing needs of the industries and be a reliable partner for the regional economy." With over 100 years of tradition, the MCH Group remains closely linked to Basel and, with additional initiatives such as the Exhibition Quarter, is making an important contribution to the revitalization and further development of the city.

The MCH Group, headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), is a globally active experience marketing company with a comprehensive network of services for global clients. Its core business includes unique community platforms such as the Art Basel shows in Basel, Hong Kong, Paris and Miami Beach, as well as major national exhibitions such as Swissbau and Giardina. The Live Marketing Solutions division, with the MCH Global, MC2 and Expomobilia brands, offers customized experience marketing solutions from strategy to creation and implementation. The MCH Group also operates the exhibition halls and the Congress Center Basel as well as Messe Zürich. The company employs over 800 people, around half of them in Switzerland and the USA. In the 2023 financial year, the group generated consolidated sales of around CHF 394 million.