DLG announces two Singaporean partnership deals

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Shanghai & Singapore, 10th June: DLG Exhibition & Events (DEXPO), the organiser of many exhibitions and conferences in China – including the WAIC – World Artificial Intelligence Conference – has announced partnerships with two Singapore-based companies, Constellar and MP Singapore.

Under the terms of the partnership with Constellar, DEXPO and Constellar will support each other’s events, jointly pursue cross-border networking opportunities and explore the creation of new events. With MP Singapore, DEXPO will jointly invest in, organise, and host business events in the technology sector in both China and South-East Asia.

Business is booming at HKCEC

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Hong Kong, 12th June: The management of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), HML, has announced that B2B exhibitions held at the venue in the first five months of 2024 attracted over 640,000 professional buyers (both international and local).

According to the venue, the outlook of Hong Kong’s exhibition and convention industry is strongly optimistic. Four new exhibitions and conferences will be held at HKCEC in the second half of 2024 as reoccurring trade fairs will also continue to take place. The new and reoccurring exhibitions and conferences will reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a key hub for business events.

UFI elects Panittha Buri President for 2025-26 term

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Paris / Zurich, 11th June: The UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has elected its President for the 2025-26 term. Panittha Buri, Vice-Chairperson of Thailand’s Bhiraj Buri Group, will join the UFI Presidential Trio in November as Incoming President, and become UFI President at the 92nd UFI Global Congress in November 2025 in Hong Kong.

After the election, the UFI Presidential Trio for the November 2024 – November 2025 term will be: Hugh Jones (CEO, RX Global), President; Panittha Buri (Vice-Chairperson, Bhiraj Buri Group), Incoming President; and Geoff Dickinson (CEO, dmg events), Outgoing President. This UFI Presidential Trio will begin at the conclusion of the 91st UFI Global Congress running from 20th to 23rd November 2024 in Cologne, Germany.

Pico Thailand revenues down 16% in Q1

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Bangkok, 7th June: Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, has released its results for the quarter ended 30th April 2024. Revenues in the quarter were US$7.02 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 16%. The company posted a net profit of just US$12,000 in the quarter, compared with a profit of US$617,000 in the same quarter last year.

Pico Thailand also reported its results for the six months ended 30th April. Revenues in the period amounted to US$15 million, which is similar compared with same period last year. In the previous six months, the company recorded a net profit of US$102,000, compared with a profit of US$415,000 during the first half of the last financial year.

Quick takes

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Geoff Donaghy to step down as ICC Sydney CEO

Geoff Donaghy will step down from his role as CEO of ICC Sydney after 30 years of venue management leadership. He will leave on 30th August 2024. Donaghy will become an advisor to the business until the end of the year.

Deutsche Messe is back on track

Deutsche Messe AG posted record results in 2023, with revenue of €354 million (US$391 million) and a net profit of €46 million (US$51 million). In 2023, the company organised a total of 76 trade fairs and events in Germany and abroad, featuring over 27,000 exhibiting companies and attracting 4.7 million visitors.

HKTB and Art Basel ink new agreement

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has signed a new three-year global partnership with Art Basel. The deal between HKTB and MCH, the show organiser, extends the collaboration beyond Hong Kong to all Art Basel shows worldwide. HKTB will be Art Basel’s partner at all editions of the show in Paris, Miami, Basel and Hong Kong.