HKTDC’s watch fairs attracts 15,000 buyers

Hong Kong, 10th September: Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd, the 42nd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 11th Salon de TE concluded last week. Despite interruptions caused by extreme weather conditions on 8th September, the four-day physical fairs attracted nearly 15,000 buyers from 95 countries and regions. Online exhibitions, under the Exhibition+ hybrid model, will continue until 16th September.

Separately, CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s premier fashion event organised by the HKTDC, also concluded last week, with more than 7,700 buyers from 78 countries and regions visiting the three-day event.

Pico Thailand’s revenues down 33%

Bangkok, 8th September: Last week, Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, released its financial results for the quarter ended 31st July 2023. Revenues in the quarter were US$5.1 million, which dropped 33% from the same quarter in 2022. The company posted a loss of US$225,000 in the quarter, compared with a loss of US$64,000 during the same period in 2022.

The company attributed the decrease in revenue to uncertainty regarding the establishment of the new government, which has led to the postponement of several projects.

Informa Markets launches The Battery Show India

India, 11th September: Following the success of The Battery Show in the USA and Europe, Informa Markets India will launch a new event serving the battery manufacturing industry in India, The Battery Show India (TBSI).

The new event will be co-located with the Renewable Energy India Expo, running from 4th to 6th October 2023, at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida. It is expected to attract over 200 brands and 8,000 trade visitors.

MEET TAIWAN Festival unveils plans for business events industry

Taiwan, 7th September: MEET TAIWAN, organised by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs and executed by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), hosted the MEET TAIWAN Festival Global Launch Event last week.

Almost a hundred prominent figures from Taiwan’s business event industry attended the launch event, marking the start of a series of domestic and overseas business events to be held throughout September, promoting Taiwan’s thriving business events sector.

Quick takes

Alibaba Group welcomes new Chairman and CEO

Alibaba Group announced the completion of its leadership transition, with Joseph Tsai assuming the role of Chairman and Eddie Yongming Wu assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. Wu will also succeed Daniel Yong Zhang as active Chairman and CEO of the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group. Zhang previously served as Alibaba Group’s CEO since 2015 and as its Chairman since 2019, and also led Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group since 2022.

Messe Frankfurt expands portfolio with new event in Istanbul

Expanding its international portfolio of events, Messe Frankfurt announced the debut of Light + Intelligent Building Istanbul from 27th to 29th November 2024. Organised in cooperation with the Turkish Lighting Equipment Manufacturers Association, the event provides a platform for decorative, architectural and technical lighting, electric lamps, components and accessories, electrical engineering, smart homes and building automation.

New governor takes helm at Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that Thapanee Kiatphaiboon has taken on the role of governor. She previously held various positions with the organisation, which she joined in 1999, including deputy governor for tourism products and business, and most recently deputy governor for domestic marketing.

Share price movement in B2B media companies involved in Asia

Figure 1: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement over past 12 months)

Figure 2: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement since January 2023)

ICC Sydney hosts 500 events in FY2022/23

Sydney, 4th September: International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) recently released its Annual Performance Review for the 2022/23 financial year, announcing that it hosted 500 events during the period.

Managed by ASM Global, ICC Sydney reported that it welcomed more than 1 million visitors during the financial year, delivering A$600 million (US$397 million) in visitor expenditure across some 500 events. In the previous year, there were 470,000 visitors contributing A$190 million (US$131 million).

SEEC Media narrows loss in first half

Hong Kong 31st August: Last week, SEEC Media Group, a Hong Kong-listed media company, announced its financial results for the first half of 2023. Revenues in the six-month period were US$2.8 million, a decrease of 32% year-on-year. However, the company narrowed a loss of US$3.8 million in the first half of 2022, down to US$1.1 million in the first half of this year.

About 42% of SEEC’s total revenues were generated through its provision of advertising services, amounting at US$1.2 million. This segment fell 28% year-on-year. The company attributed the decrease in revenue from advertising services to the negative impact on global economy caused by the trade war between the U.S. and China, and the rapid development of the Internet economy in China over the past few years. The operational scale of the company’s print media advertising business in China was reduced due to the adverse impact of the pandemic and the expiry of all its exclusive advertising contracts with various magazine owners and/or operators.

Made-in-China.com profits rise 33%

Nanjing, 31st August: Last week, Shenzhen-listed Focus Technology, which owns and operates the B2B trading platform Made-in-China.com, announced its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2023. Revenues were US$102 million, a moderate growth of 1.8% over last year.

Profit in the first half of 2023 increased by 33% year-on-year, amounting to US$26 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first six months of 2023 were RMB 0.609 (US$0.084).

Netsun’s results flat in first half of 2023

Hangzhou, 31st August: Shenzhen-listed Zhejiang Netsun, a B2B e-commerce platform, recently released its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2023. The company’s revenues were US$31 million during the period, representing a year-on-year decrease of 9.6% compared to the first half of 2022.

However, profits during the six-month period rose slightly by 1.0% to reach US$1.6 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first half of 2023 were RMB 0.05 (US$0.0069).

Quick takes

Asia Photonics Expo 2024 caters to emerging markets

Introduced as Asia’s premier photonics event, the Asia Photonics Expo (APE) 2024 was announced on 6th September at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre in conjunction with the China International Optoelectronics Exposition. APE will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore from 6th to 8th March 2024, and the event is being organised by Informa Markets.

Inaugural REHACARE CHINA 2023 successfully held in Suzhou

The 2023 International Trade Fair for Rehabilitation and Care (REHACARE CHINA), organised by Messe Dusseldorf (Shanghai), concluded successfully at the Suzhou International Expo Center on 25th August. The first edition of this exhibition attracted nearly 100 foreign and domestic rehabilitation equipment manufacturers, displaying the latest travel and daily assistance devices, communication and information assistance technologies, sports rehabilitation innovations and intelligent assistance systems.

ANUTEC and ANUFOOD India to be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre

The food and beverage industry is gearing up for ANUTEC – International FoodTec India and ANUFOOD India, scheduled to be held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai from 7th to 9th September. With India’s processed food market and retail food market projected to reach US$535 billion and US$852 billion, respectively, by 2025, the event will serve as a catalyst for industry growth and innovation.

Singapore to host Seafood Expo Asia

The 11th edition of Seafood Expo Asia will be held from 11th to 13th September at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, marking the largest edition in the event’s history with more than 350 new and returning exhibitors from 40 countries. The three-day event will cover the most prominent topics in the industry, including a series of workshops and expert discussion roundtables.

Share price movement in B2B media companies involved in Asia

Figure 1: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement over past 12 months)

Figure 2: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement since January 2023)

Questex partners to launch new hospitality events

New York/Sydney, 22nd August: Questex announced it will launch the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) Asia in Hong Kong in 2024. The company also announced it will partner with The Intermedia Group, a leading Asia-Pacific publishing, event management and technology business based in Australia, to launch AHICE South-East Asia in Singapore in 2024.

By launching IHIF Asia, Questex will expand its Hospitality portfolio in Asia. This move follows the acquisition of the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference and the resounding success of The Hospitality Show, a new event launched with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

HC’s revenues up 46% in first half

Hong Kong, 25th August: Last week, Hong Kong-listed HC Group released its interim results for the six months ended 30th June 2023. The company’s revenues grew 46% in the first half of the year, reaching US$1.2 billion. However, the company posted a net loss of US$112 million in the first half of 2023, compared with a loss of US$11 million in the same period of last year.

More than 87% of HC Group’s revenues were generated from its smart industries segment, amounting to US$1.1 billion. Revenues from this segment jumped by 48% compared to the first half of 2022. The remaining revenues were contributed by HC’s technology-driven new retail segment (US$143 million), and its platform & corporate services segment (US$8.3 million).

DLG returns to profit in first half

Shanghai, 26th August: Last week, DLG Exhibitions & Events Corporation Limited (formerly Shanghai Lansheng Corporation) reported its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2023. Revenues in the first half of 2023 were US$78 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 398%.

The company recorded net profit of US$27 million in the first half of the year, compared with a loss of US$5.6 million in the first half of 2022. Diluted earnings per share in the first half of 2023 were RMB 0.36 (US$0.050).

Meorient’s revenues jump 271%

Shanghai, 30th August: Shenzhen-listed exhibition organiser Meorient recently announced its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2023. The group’s revenues in the first half of 2023 increased by 271% year-on-year, reaching US$49 million.

The company posted a net profit of US$11 million, compared with a loss of US$2.2 million for the same period in 2022. Diluted earnings per share in the six-month period were RMB 0.50 (US$0.069).

Quick takes

ICC Sydney doubles footfall and economic contribution in 2022/23

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue, attracted 500 events, welcomed more than one million visitors and contributed A$600 million in expenditure to the New South Wales economy in FY2022/23 – more than double the number of visitors compared to the previous year, and more than triple the economic contribution than in FY2021/22.

Messe Dusseldorf successfully concludes Medical Fair China 2023 in Suzhou

Medical Fair China (MFC), organized by Messe Dusseldorf (Shanghai), was held at the Suzhou International Expo Center in late August. This year’s exhibition welcomed 350 leading companies from the medical device manufacturing, production and research fields, attracting over 9,000 industry professionals.

PCIM Asia 2023 opens at SNIEC

Jointly organized by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt and Mesago Messe Frankfurt, PCIM Asia 2023, the leading fair in Asia for power electronics, was held from 29th to 31st August at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), presenting the latest developments in power electronics, intelligent motion, renewable energy and energy management. This year’s edition attracted 181 exhibitors, occupying 12,000 m2 of exhibition space.

HKTDC’s watch shows to be held in September

The 42nd HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 11th Salon de TE are being jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries. The physical fair will run from 5th to 9th September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), with Salon de TE being held on the final two days (8-9 September).

Share price movement in B2B media companies involved in Asia

Figure 1: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement over past 12 months)

Figure 2: BSG B2B Media Index vs. All Tracked B2B Stocks (price movement since January 2023)

Messe Düsseldorf Asia and Informa Markets partner to organise plastics shows

Bangkok, August: Leading international exhibition organisers, Messe Düsseldorf Asia and Informa Markets, have announced a partnership to jointly organise the Plastics and Rubber series of exhibitions in Southeast Asia from 2024.

The first exhibition will be Plastics and Rubber Thailand, running from 15th to 18th May 2024, at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok. The other exhibitions to be organised under the partnership are Plastics and Rubber Indonesia, and Plastics and Rubber Vietnam.

Baidu’s profit jumps 43% in Q2

Beijing, 22nd August: Earlier this week, Baidu, the leading Chinese language Internet search provider, released its financial results for the quarter ended 30th June 2023. Revenues for the quarter were US$4.7 billion, an increase of 15% year-on-year. The company recorded year-on-year profit growth of 43%, reaching US$718 million in the quarter.

More than 61% of its total revenues (US$2.9 billion) were generated from Baidu’s online marketing services, which was up by 15% over last year. The remaining revenues were generated from “other services”, amounting to US$1.8 billion. This represents growth of 14% compared with the same quarter last year.