Quick takes

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MCEC launches new website with virtual tours

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has launched a new website that offers a seamless and engaging experience, improved accessibility and a first-hand look at the venue’s spaces. One of the unique features of the new website is the introduction of 360° virtual tours showcasing MCEC’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Trends shaping India’s meetings and events industry in 2023

FCM India’s Meetings and Events team has identified seven trends shaping the industry this year: strong demand, willingness to travel, sustainability, wellbeing, rising costs and meeting spend, virtual fatigue and technology’s role in driving experiences. Adaptability is still paramount as the industry navigates the continuing resurgence of business events, new ways of working, and ongoing supply challenges.

RingCentral acquires Events and Session product lines from Hopin

RingCentral, a leading provider of AI-powered global enterprise cloud communications, video meetings, collaboration and contact centre solutions, has acquired the flagship Events platform and Session product from Hopin, a leading provider of online engagement technology. Events is an all-in-one event management platform and Session is a highly personalised engagement solution.

Fiera Milano announces half-year results for 2023

Fiera Milano, Italy’s leader in the exhibition and congress industry, announced a solid performance for the first half of 2023, with revenue of €132 million (up €16 million compared to 1H2022), EBITDA of €42 million (up €2.1 million compared to 1H2022) and net profit of €26 million (up €5.3 million compared to 1H2022).

UFI: exhibition industry reaches pre-pandemic level in 2023

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Paris, 19th July: Last week, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released its latest Global Exhibition Barometer research, highlighting the exhibition industry’s recovery in most places around the world during 2023.

The industry is expected to reach 90% of previous levels for most of the second half of 2023, and some players expect their 2023 revenues to surpass 2019 figures. 2022 revenues were about 78% of 2019 levels, and 2023 figures are expected to reach 97% of 2019 levels.

The survey also studied the impact of generative AI on the exhibition industry. The areas expected to be most affected are: “Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations”, “Research & Development” and “Event Production”.

Geelong’s new convention centre scheduled for completion in 2026

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Australia, 24th July: One of the biggest developments in regional Victoria, the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development, has selected Plenary Convention as its preferred bidder to deliver the much-anticipated project.

Preliminary works on the site are underway, and completion of the convention centre and hotel is expected in early 2026. The Plenary Conventions consortium will redevelop the 1.6-hectare waterfront car parking site into a precinct, including the construction of the purpose-built convention and exhibition space. The facilities will incorporate a 1000 seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India partners to organise “Smart Mobility Expo”

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India, 18th July: Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India announced it is joining forces with Virtual Infosystems to organise the “Smart Mobility Expo”, an expo covering smart mobility, traffic, transport parking and road infrastructure.

The next edition of “Smart Mobility Expo” is scheduled to run from 10th to 12th October 2023, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The expo will cover TrafficInfraTech Expo, Parking InfraTech Expo and RoadInfraTech Expo, with the complete mobility and transport infrastructure industry. It will present best-in-class solutions for roads, highway safety, security seamless travel, crash/noise prevention, pollution, Intelligent transport, parking management and sustainable infrastructure & public transport systems.

GL events’ profit up 143% in H1 2023

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Lyon, 20th July: Last week, GL events released its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2023. It reported revenues of €690 million (US$754 million), representing year-on-year growth of 32%. Net profit in the six-month period jumped 143%, amounting at €41 million (US$45 million).

In terms of business sectors, GL events Live generated revenues of €367 million (US$401 million), up 22% year-on-year. GL events Exhibitions’ revenues increased by 97% year-on-year, reaching €144 million (US$157 million). GL events Venues, with revenues of €179 million (US$195 million), recorded year-on-year growth of 19%.

Quick takes

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IMPACT sets aside THB200 million to develop facilities as bookings increase 41%

Thailand’s IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center has experienced a 41% year-on-year increase in bookings in 2023 with over 1,100 events – driving revenues of THB3.47 billion for the 2022/2023 period. THB200 million has been set aside to develop more facilities to accommodate increasing numbers of domestic and international customers.

Northern Thailand to develop as destination for Tea and Coffee MICE events

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is supporting the development of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand to become a hub for international MICE events focused on tea and coffee. Initiatives include support for the World Tea and Coffee Expo in Chiang Mai, as well as the 4th Tea and Coffee International Symposium – which is scheduled to be held in Chiang Rai in August 2023.

Macao visitor arrivals in June 2023 up 480.5% year-on-year

According to Macao’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), visitor arrivals totalled 2.2 million in June 2023, representing a surge of 480.5% growth year-on-year. Overnight (1.16 million) and same-day (1.05 million) visitors soared by 543.7% and 423.3%, respectively, year-on-year. Visitors’ average length of stay increased to 1.3 days.

Hong Kong Book Fair draws nearly one million visitors

The 33rd Hong Kong Book Fair, 6th Sports and Leisure Expo and 3rd World of Snacks, all organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), drew nearly one million visitors to the concurrent seven-day events – of which 10% were tourists. Visitors to the Book Fair spent an average of HK$872 (US$112) per person. Close to 780 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions participated in the three events.

Australian Business Events Association appoints inaugural CEO

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Australia, 17th July: The newly launched Australia Business Events Association (ABEA) has appointed Melissa Brown as its first CEO. She will assume the role on 4th September 2023.

Melissa brings to ABEA a diverse professional background ranging from start-ups and non-profit organisations to medium-sized enterprises and multi-nationals. She has worked with renowned organisations worldwide, and recently returned to Australia to contribute her expertise to a cyber security start-up. She also played a pivotal role in managing the Australian Chamber of Commerce in London, building her associate membership and advocacy program through skilful stakeholder engagement.

First ILDEX Philippines draws 7,100 visitors

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Manila, 13th July: The inaugural ILDEX Philippines and Philippine Poultry Show has concluded with positive feedback. Over 7,100 industry professionals from more than 40 countries attended the show, with over 180 global brands from more than 20 countries showcasing the latest advancements, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative products in the industry.

VNU Asia Pacific, organiser of ILDEX Philippines, and Deltaman, organiser of Philippine Poultry Show, confirmed the dates of the next edition of the shows, which will run from 28th to 30th August 2024 at SMX Convention Center in Manila. The 2024 edition will expand the business profiles from farm to food, covering animal health, pharmaceutical products, ingredients, farm equipment, feed additives, breeding & hatching, packaging and labelling. A Meat Pro Pavilion will be added to present food processing and other agri-technology highlights, covering the full supply chain from feed to food for the Asia region.

ISPO Shanghai 2023 visitor numbers up 100%

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Shanghai, 17th July: ISPO Shanghai 2023 returned to Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 30th June to 2nd July 2023, featuring 511 Chinese and international brands from 395 exhibitors. A total of 40,174 industry visitors and sports fans attended the exhibition.

According to the organiser, the number brands increased by 50% over the previous editions, while the number of visitors grew 100%. A total of 140 international brands were showcased at ISPO Shanghai, accounting for 27% of the exhibiting brands and representing an increase of 1.7 times over the previous edition. In addition to the trade show, ISPO Shanghai held forums and lectures on hot topics, and also introduced a new “ISPO Sports Park” section.

WATERTECH CHINA partners with Informa Markets

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Shanghai, 17th July: A leading international water technology exhibition, Watertech China, concluded last month at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai, achieving a new record in scale in its first year of China’s full economy recovery.

The organiser, Herui Group, has established a strategic partnership with leading exhibition group, Informa Markets, to improve the value proposition of Watertech China and broaden its development scope to continuously create value for the industry and participants.

Quick takes

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MITEC hosts over 91,000 fans at Tokyo Auto Salon

Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) hosted the inaugural edition of Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur from 9th to 11th June, treating over 91,000 car enthusiasts to an impressive display of specially-imported, awe-inspiring cars from Japan – as well as a wide range of exhibitors featuring automotive players of all sizes from Malaysia and ASEAN.

gamescom asia introduces new physical B2C Entertainment Zone

The 2023 edition of gamescom asia will be held in Singapore from 19th to 22nd October. This year’s event will feature a physical B2C Entertainment Zone exhibition for the first time, and Capcom is the first major publisher confirming their participation. The Entertainment Zone will showcase trending games, interactive entertainment and featured areas for esports, cosplay, board games, group play zones and more.

RX appoints new UK president

International exhibition organiser RX has named Rachel Travers as its new president for the RX UK Hub business unit (UK, Middle East, Turkey, South Africa and India), effective 1st September 2023. She will report to Hugh Jones, Global CEO.

Mega Show Bangkok 2023 hits BITEC this week

Jointly organised by Comasia and Worldex, Mega Show Bangkok 2023 was held from 19th to 21st July at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). The event features more than 500 booths showcasing the latest products and designs from Asia, and is expected to draw manufacturers and suppliers from throughout the region, as well as the US and UK.

Hong Kong to host UFI Global Congress in 2025

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Paris/Hong Kong, 11th July: UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced its 92nd UFI Global Congress will be held in Hong Kong at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in 2025. The congress will also include activities throughout the Greater Bay Area.

As the largest global meeting of the year, UFI Global Congress gathers hundreds of industry leaders from around the world to network and learn. The congress is held in a different location every year. The congress was last held in Asia in 2019 in Bangkok. The last time it was held in Hong Kong in the year 2000.

RX Global make progress rebuilding in China

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China, 12th July: After China’s reopening for business in January this year, RX Global (formerly Reed Exhibitions) also began restart it sizable portfolio in China. According to RX Global, its first exhibition held in the Greater China in 2023 was PCHi 2023, running from 15th to 17th February in Guangzhou.

Shows serving the gift and homeware industries, the Beijing and Shenzhen Gift Fairs, were held in March and April, respectively. In May, Bakery China, which serves the bakery and confectionery industry, was held in Shanghai. The China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF), covering the medical devices value chain show hosted its spring edition in Shanghai in May.

In addition to re-establishing its existing shows in China, RX Global also announced to launch five news shows and open a new office in Shenzhen.

Constellar appoints new Chief Executive (Markets)

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Singapore, 6th July: Singapore-based Constellar has announced a new appointment to its executive team. Paul Lee, its new Chief Executive (Markets), will be tasked with driving sustainable growth for Constellar across new and existing markets.

With close to 20 years of experience in the exhibition industry across both B2B and B2C segments, Lee is experienced in driving business growth through strategy, launches and acquisitions.

Sarawak surpasses MICE targets for FY2022

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Sarawak, 12th July: After the COVID pandemic, Sarawak’s business events performance in its FY2022 surpassed targets on both economic and event impact returns.

During the financial year, Sarawak hosted a total of 100 business events, contributing RM230 million (US$50 million) in total economic impact. According to media reports, another RM125 million (US$27 million) was generated from direct delegate expenditure, and over 18,000 short- and long-term jobs were created in the year.

Quick takes

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Messe Frankfurt roars back to robust business

The group is expecting revenues of €600 million for the financial year 2023. And in the financial year 2022, revenues were €454 million vs. of €154 million in 2021. In 2022, €314 million were generated in Germany. Its net loss has been reduced to €26 million. A total of 310 events took place in the past financial year, with more than 46,500 exhibiting companies and over 2.4 million visitors.

Newly formed ABEA has 90-day plan

The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) was officially formed on 3rd July. Now the super association has released its first 90-Day Plan with provides a short-term roadmap covering industry development, community, research, professional development, and advocacy.

Informa brings Super Terminal Expo to Hong Kong

Informa Markets will bring Super Terminal Expo to AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in 2024. The event brings together aviation, shipping, rail, and road industries. It will be held from 5th to 7th November next year at AWE along with the support of the Centre for Aviation (CAPA).