Informa latest trading update

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London, 15th June: London-listed Informa PLC released its latest trading update, with strong year-on-year growth and further progress on its Growth Acceleration Plan 2 (GAP 2).

 

In the first five months of the year, Informa posted revenue growth of 24.5%, due to strong 31% increase in B2B Markets. All three B2B businesses posted strong growth during the period: Informa Markets (43.5%), Informa Connect (19%) and Informa Tech (8.3%).

Pico Thailand’s revenues up 25%

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Bangkok, 8th June: Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, has released its results for the quarter ended 30th April 2023. Revenues in the quarter were US$9.1 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 25%.

 

The company posted a net profit of US$617,000 in the quarter, compared with a profit of US$16,000 in the same quarter of last year. Pico’s management attributed the increase in revenues and profit to the Thai government’s easing of COVID-19 controls, and the burgeoning economic recovery in Thailand.

Messe Frankfurt and VIETRADE launch new Vietnam textile fair

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Vietnam, 12th June: Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in March, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) have announced the launch of a new show, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT), running from 28th February to 1st March 2024 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

 

Organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and VIETRADE, the new VIATT 2024 will host an extensive mix of international and domestic exhibitors covering various textile sub-sectors. The show will play an important part in shaping the future of Vietnam’s textile industry by linking players from across Asia, Europe and beyond with this vibrant market.

Quick takes

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Hugh Jones elected UFI President for 2024-25

The UFI Board of Directors has elected Hugh Jones as UFI President for the 2024-25 period. As Incoming President, Jones joins President Geoff Dickinson and Outgoing President Michael Duck to form the UFI Presidential Trio for the 2023-24 term. UFI also announced its four new Chapter Chairs: Panittha Buri (Asia-Pacific), David Boon (Europe), Raul Strauss Justiniano (Americas) and Said Salim Al Shanfari (Middle East & Africa).

Koelnmesse back on the road to success

Despite the challenges facing the industry in recent years, Koelnmesse experienced a resurgence in the trade fair business in 2023 which has significantly boosted revenue for the financial year. According to Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse, “We have faced up to the global challenges and achieved revenue of 240 million euro, which is a significant increase on the previous year.”

Hyve acquired by Providence and Searchlight

Global events company Hyve has been acquired by funds advised by Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. (Providence) and Searchlight Capital Partners (Searchlight). Following the acquisition, Hyve Group plc was delisted from the London Stock Exchange on 22nd May 2023.

Leading shows return to Hong Kong next year

Hong Kong’s trade show comeback continues with the return of Vinexpo Asia, which was held in Singapore last month, and the Asia Pacific Leather Fair, which previously held events in Bangkok and Dubai. Both events will be held in Hong Kong next year, along with four new trade shows – indicating returning confidence in the market.

Global Exhibitions Day engages wider audience

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Paris, 8th June: This year, Global Exhibitions Day (GED) took place on 7th June 2023. The advocacy event underscores the importance of exhibitions for all industries and economies.

 

This year the theme was “We run the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone.” The GED campaign focused on the role exhibitions play as a facilitator in developing industries, delivering strong economic benefits and providing a sustainable way of doing business.

 

According to UFI, GED activities are expected to reach audiences in more than 100 countries and regions just online alone, with over 3,000 pieces of unique content – through social media posts, messages, and comments. “Globally, thousands used the #GED2023 hashtag to share the power of the exhibition industry to create a lasting, global impact.”

PATA predicts strong tourism growth for Asia Pacific

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Bangkok, 31st May: Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released its updated forecast for 39 destinations in the Asia Pacific region, showing a strong increase in aggregate international visitor arrivals (IVAs) in 2023 and growth is expected to continue to the end of 2025.

 

PATA’s report includes three confusingly named scenarios: mild, medium and severe. The mild scenario is actually the strongest recovery vs. 2019 IVAs and severe is the weakest recovery vs. 2019 IVA numbers.

 

In summary, by 2025, PATA’s best case forecast for IVA’s in Asia will be 953 million compared with 683 in 2019. It’s worst case scenario is 613 million in 2025.

ILDEX Philippines 2023 presents 180+ exhibitors

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Manila, 7th June: VNU Asia Pacific’s Philippine Poultry Show & ILDEX Philippines 2023 ran from 7th to 9th June at SMX Convention Center in Manila. Covering some 5,000 m2 of exhibition space, ILDEX Philippines showcased more than 180 exhibitors, and attracted over 5,000 trade visitors.

 

ILDEX Philippines is part of the VIV worldwide portfolio, the show “remains committed to empowering the livestock industry, supporting its growth, and facilitating sustainable development in the Asia region.”

MITEC aims for digital transformation

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Malaysia, 5th June: The Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) has developed its own app, created an Exhibitors Portal, installed digital signage, and engaged the firm Qualtrics to build its online survey platform for MITEC’s vendors.

 

Through the app, meals can be ordered from venue restaurants. The Exhibitors Portals serves as a “one-stop e-shop for exhibitors” to book venue spaces and pay online Digital signage will replace requirements for printed signage across the venue.

4,000 visitors at Vision China (Beijing) 2023

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Beijing, 6th June: Organised by Messe München Shanghai, China Machine Vision for Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation and Development Conference & Vision China (Beijing) was held at the Beijing International Convention Center.

 

Running from 17th to 18th May, a total of 3,951 professional visitors attended the exhibition this year which is an increase of 30% from the previous edition according to the organiser.

Quick takes

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Labour shortages bite in Hong Kong (and in Asia)

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce is asking the Hong Kong government to import labour as its latest survey found that almost 75% of businesses in Hong Kong could not find qualified staff. Over 60% stated that they had been short of staff for one to three years. The MICE industry, hotels and F&B outlets are all facing similar challenges.

New CEO at QSNCC in Bangkok

Surapol Utintu has been appointed as the new CEO of Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC). Utintu has set a goal of making QSNCC a “world-class event platform for all.” Former CEO, Sakchai Pattarapreechakul has been appointed to the board committee.

Fukui prefecture spends on business events

CVB’s around the region are opening their wallets and spending to attract business events. Fukui prefecture is trying to compete with nearby Kyoto and Nagoya by subsidising a range of business events. This trend is gathering pace across the region including a surprising number of second and third tier cities.

IEG launches new shows in Singapore

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Singapore, 24th May: International exhibition organiser, Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) will launch new shows in Singapore through its newly formed Asian subsidiary. The events will address the food & beverage and jewellery industries.

 

Café Asia, International Coffee & Tea Industry Expo, Sweet & Bakes Asia and Restaurant Asia Running ran from 25th to 27th May. The co-located events were held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. A total of 243 brands from 26 countries were showcased at the shows.

 

The other show, SIJE – Singapore International Jewelry Expo 2023 will take place from 13th to 16th July, featuring 223 brands from 26 countries.

Macau reports hosting over 200 MICE events in Q1

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Macau, 29th May: Earlier this week, Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released its MICE statistics for the first quarter of 2023. According to DSEC, a total of 208 MICE events were held in Macau in the quarter, compared with 97 events held in the first quarter of 2022. The total number of participants and attendees grew 21%, reaching almost 200,000.

 

The events were dominated by meetings and conferences (196 of 208). The total number of participants at meetings and conferences was just 22,000.

 

A total of 10 exhibitions were held during the quarter. The number of attendees increased by 11% reaching approximately 175,000.

Montgomery Asia to launch new A/V event in Singapore

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Singapore, 30th May: Later this month, Montgomery Asia will launch a new exhibition and conference addressing audio/visual professional and the entertainment lighting (AVL) industries. The inaugural Pro Integration Future Asia (PIFA) will be held in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The three-day event will run from 26th to 28th June 2023.

 

PIFA will be organised by Montgomery Asia along with support from the Professional Audio Visual & Lighting Integration Association of Singapore (AVLIAS) as its strategic partner. It will also be supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The first edition is expected to attract approximately 100 exhibiting companies from 10 countries. Some 6,000 trade professionals from 20 countries are also expected to attend.

Quick takes

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Arc acquires Marketing in Partnership

Arc has announced it has acquired Marketing in Partnership (MiP), an events and marketing solutions partner serving the asset management industry. This is Arc’s seventh acquisition and third in financial services.

Alibaba launches a ChatGPT service

Alibaba has begun to roll out its ChatGPT-style technology. Tongyi Qianwen is the group’s large language model service – “a system that is trained on huge amounts of data in order to recognize and generate content.”

PCMA unveils its new advisory board

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has unveiled its new Regional Advisory Board for Asia. The 16-person advisory board features members that come from a wide range of segments within the business events industry.