The term "fair", which was only used for the first time in the Middle Ages, comes from the Latin word "feria", meaning a religious festival, usually taking place near a convent or a church. The same sense is to be found in the term currently used in German - "Messe", which derives from the Latin term "Missa", or religious service, at which the priest, on pronouncing the final words "ite, Missa est", declared the religious service at an end, thus giving the sign for the opening of the market, usually held in the church square.

The process of industrialization, which began in the 18th century, required new sales and distribution channels, thus affecting the trade fair business.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, fairs indeed evolved from sites for direct sales to sites displaying a broad range of available goods: only samples of much more diverse product ranges were exhibited. These fairs were known as Sample Fairs (from the German "Mustermesse"), initiated for the first time by the Leipzig Fair. These sample fairs, with a wide range of investment and consumer goods, dominated the fair scene in Europe up to the middle of the 20th century.

In addition, at the end of the 19th century, and in the early decades of the 20th century, numerous exhibitions of national significance were organized, mostly dedicated to a specific theme, for example electricity, health or mechanical engineering, and primarily aimed at the general public.

After the Second World War, the fair business started following the trend of rising specialization of the economy. A large amount of specialized fairs, and consequently a broader diversity of fair locations arose.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the fair business is characterized by a continuously growing supply of fairs and exhibitions: fair organizers enlarge their field of activities on a worldwide level, while being engaged in international co operations.

Exhibition Industry in Iran

The first industrial fair in Iran was held in the early 20th century. The second industrial trade fair, in 1958, was an all Italian exhibition for the Italian industrial products to be presented to Iranian customers. In 1969, First Asian International Exhibition was organized in Tehran which introduced Tehran to the world as an international highly potential market. The second event of the kind was the foundation stone for Tehran International Exhibition to be officially established. In 1973 and 1974, Tehran first international exhibition with 22 participating countries and Tehran second international trade fair with the presence of 28 countries were held respectively.

Tehran 3rd international exhibition hosted 40 countries from all over the world. In 1976, Tehran 4th international exhibition was a turning point. The event wrapped up with a large number of trade contracts being concluded at the show.

To facilitate the foreign imports trend into the country, the fifth and sixth editions of Tehran international trade fairs were sequentially held in later years. Along with the mentioned events, several other international exhibitions of construction, energy, petrochemicals, art and pharmaceuticals were organized in Tehran and some provinces.

After the Islamic Revolution in Iran, exhibitions were given more attention to cut down oil dependency and promote country's non – oil exports. This progressing trend was later slowed down by Iraq imposed war against Iran and the subsequent economical sanctions.

Currently, however; exhibitions as the most significant tools of development and non – oil export promotion could play a key role in Iran's economy and pave the way for the presence of Iranian enterprises in the domestic and foreign markets. In parallel with the events organized in Tehran, many other trade fairs are also held in other provinces in a similar way relying on the existing potentials in each region all aiming to promote country's economic status and showcase Iran's capabilities and achievements in the domestic and international arena.