Trade Fair and Exhibition Organizer

A trade fair and exhibition organizer is a professional whose activity consists of promoting and managing commercial events. They are responsible for providing exhibition spaces to professionals who wish to display and offer their products and services during the event.

This activity covers professional trade shows (dedicated to specific sectors), public exhibitions (with direct sales), and fairs (with sales and merchandise pickup). The organizer must file a prior declaration with the prefecture at least two months before the event and comply with various obligations regarding safety, accessibility, and controlled statistical reporting.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Diploma: No professional qualification or diploma is required to practice this activity.
  • Prior declaration: The organizer must file a prior declaration with the prefect of the department electronically at least two months before the start of the event.
  • Statistical data: Event characteristics (area in m², number of exhibitors, number of visitors) must be verified by an organization accredited by Cofrac, unless the net area is less than 1,000 m².
  • Events in exhibition parks: The organizer must provide the information necessary for registration in the park's annual program before the last quarter of the preceding year.

Declaration Procedure

  • Competent authority: The declaration must be submitted to the prefect of the department where the event takes place via the online declaration service.
  • Deadline: At least two months before the start of the event.
  • Receipt: The prefect issues a dematerialized receipt within fifteen days if the file is complete. If the file is incomplete, the applicant has ten days to complete it.
  • Modification declaration: In case of modification of any element of the declaration, a modification declaration must be submitted electronically.
  • Business registration: The organizer must also register their business with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).

Specific Obligations

  • Safety and accessibility standards: Premises open to the public must comply with standards applicable to establishments receiving the public (ERP), particularly regarding fire prevention and accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
  • Animal sales: A prior declaration to the prefect is required for any event dedicated to pet sales, with compliance to sanitary and animal protection provisions.
  • Temporary beverage service: Authorization from the town hall (or police prefecture in Paris) is required, limited to beverages of groups 1 and 3.
  • Music broadcasting: Prior authorization from Sacem is required with payment of a fee.
  • Maximum price (professional exhibitions): The value of goods sold on-site must not exceed 80 euros including tax.
  • Register for used items: A register identifying sellers must be maintained and made available to authorities throughout the event.