Tasmania to have new stadium

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Tasmania, 11th July: Australia’s Tasmania will have a new stadium, Macquarie Point Stadium, including a 1,500-person function room, with supporting suites and meeting places. It is expected to attract larger events, conferences and exhibitions.

In addition, Tasmania continues to invest in business event sector. Business Events Tasmania (BET), the specialist bidding organisation marketing Tasmania as a business meeting destination for Australian and international organisations and associations, will receive funding of A$5 million (US$3.4 million) from the Tasmanian Government over the next two years, including a A$3.8 million (US$2.6 million) investment into the Business Event Attraction Fund (BEAF) to providing financial incentives for event planners choosing Tasmania for their meeting or event.

Quick takes

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UFI releases winners the 2024 UFI Awards

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released winners of 2024 awards: Freeman-Zenus as the winner of the 2024 UFI Operations & Services Award, and Easyfairs as the winner of the 2024 UFI Digital Innovation Award. Meanwhile, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) received the 2024 UFI Sustainable Development Award for “Best Practices in 2024”.

Business Events Adelaide restructures business development team

Business Events Adelaide released changes in its business development team with key appointments and internal promotions. Domestic Team includes the newly promoted Director of National Bidding and Events, Marcia Mudge, with supported by three Business Development Managers. International Team will be led by Mark Phelps, stepping up as Director for International Bidding, with other five appointments or promotions.

Koelnmesse expands portfolio to Colombia

International exhibition organiser, Koelnmesse formed new joint venture with Corferias and Concept2b to expand EISENWARENMESSE to Latin America and the Caribbean. The hardware trading event recently expanded to Colombia.

NürnbergMesse record sales

NürnbergMesse is expected a strong performance in 2023 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The company expected record sales of more than €350 million. With 150 events held around the world, a total of 28,135 exhibitors occupied 904,466 m2 of net space and some 1.3 million visitors attended the events.

BCEC secures major international medical congress

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Brisbane, 3rd July: The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) announced the World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (WCPGHAN), held every four years, will be held in Brisbane in 2028, and it is the first time for Australia to host the congress.

It is also the first time for Australia to host the congress. WCPGHAN 2028 will run from 6th to 10th June 2028 at BCEC, and is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates.

Inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific to be held at AWE

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Hong Kong, 11th July: RX Global, organiser of IBTM World, has confirmed the inaugural IBTM Asia-Pacific will be held in Hong Kong, at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE).

It is expected some 250 pre-qualified buyers and 1,500 visitors from across the region to attend IBTM Asia-Pacific, which will take place from 19th to 20th March 2025.

In addition, the international and regional chapters of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and International Association of Professional Conference Organisers (IAPCO) will partner with IBTM Asia Pacific.

Japan’s tourism to break records in 2024

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Japan, 5th July: Japan is expecting a record-breaking 2024 for its travel and tourism sector, based on its “robust recovery” in 2023.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research, the travel and tourism sector will account for 7.5% of Japan’s GDP, reaching almost 44.6 trillion yen (US$276 billion), which is a 5.7% increase compared with 2019.

Quick takes

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UFI releases 2024 UFI Marketing Award

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released the 2024 UFI Marketing Award winner to be RX Germany. The topic for this year was “Data-driven revenue: The secret ingredient for Venues and Event Organisers”. RX Germany will present its project at the 91st UFI Global Congress from 20th to 23rd November 2024 in Cologne, Germany.

Maritz acquires Convention Data Services

Maritz, a leading company in meetings and event management, announced the acquisition of Convention Data Services (CDS), a registration, on-site and lead services partner for trade shows and association events, from Freeman. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

SCIIF 2024 successfully concludes

Jointly organised by Hannover Milano Fairs (HMF) Shanghai and DLG Exhibitions & Events Shanghai Industry & Commerce Exhibition Co., Ltd., the South China International Industry Fair (SCIIF) 2024 concluded at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, covering a total area of 80,000 m2 and featuring over 800 exhibitors. Over 133,000 professional visits were recorded during the three-day event.

Pico Far East’s profits up 90%

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Hong Kong, 28th June: Last week, Hong Kong-listed Pico Far East Holdings announced its interim results for the six months ended 30th April 2024. Revenues were US$376 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 18%. Profits in the six-month period jumped 90% to US$24 million.

In terms of business segments, 86% of Pico’s revenues were generated from its exhibition, event & brand activation business (US$325 million). This business was up by 18% year-on-year. The management attributed the increase in the business to the robust rebound in Pico’s key geographic markets.

VNU Asia Pacific collaborates with NCSA

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Bangkok, 24th June: VNU Asia Pacific has announced plans to collaborate with the National Cyber Security Agency of Thailand (NCSA) to support the 2025 edition of “Cybersec Asia x Thailand International Cyber Week 2025”. This follows the success of the first edition of Cybersec Asia held in January 2024.

The 2025 edition of Cybersec Asia will be held from 22nd to 23rd January at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok. The event will target cybersecurity experts, start-ups and key public and private sector players.

IPIM rebranded as Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute

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Macau, 28th June: Macau announced plans to establish a new institute, Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, as of 1st July 2024. The official abbreviation will continue to be “IPIM”.

The new institute is a merger of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao).

Quick takes

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UFI announces award winners

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced Easyfairs as the winner of the 2024 UFI Sustainable Development Award and Fiera Milano as the winner of the 2024 UFI Industry Partners Award. The two winners will present their projects at the 91st UFI Global Congress in November 2024 in Cologne, Germany.

Indonesia to boost foreign visitors

Indonesia president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) aims to boost international arrival numbers to the country by holding more international events. This year, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) has a budget of US$235 million and target of over 14 million arrivals.

China expands visa-free countries to Australia and New Zealand

Despite relatively recent political tensions, visitors from Australia and New Zealand will now able to enter China without a visa for business or tourism for up to 15 days. Since last year, China has been expanding its list of unilateral visa-free countries. This is driven in part by its slowing economic growth.

Mulpha acquires Australian Adventure Expo

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Australia, 20th June: Mulpha Events, an Australian event organiser, has announced plans to acquire the Australian Adventure Expo (AAE) from Brooks Events. No financial details related to the transaction have been released.

AAE, launched in 2021, serves the Australian outdoor recreation sector. AAE is positioned as the platform for importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and service providers Australasian outdoor recreation industry. Following the acquisition, the AAE team will all join Mulpha Events.

Mulpha Events will organise the upcoming edition of AAE at the Brisbane Showgrounds in Queensland, running from 5th to 6th March 2025.

CANSO to launch new airspace event in Hong Kong

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Hong Kong, 18th June: The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) has announced plans to launch a new exhibition and conference dedicated to airspace and unmanned traffic management (UTM) in the Asia Pacific region.

The event, Airspace Asia Pacific, will run from 9th to 11th December 2025, at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in Hong Kong. The event will aim to bring together senior leaders in the air traffic management (ATM) and UTM industries to “foster innovation and collaboration.”

TCEB unveils strategic roadmap for 2024-2025

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Thailand, 21st June: Last week, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) released its strategic roadmap for the meetings and incentives sector for the 2024-2025 fiscal.

TCEB’s strategy focus will cover four areas: i) maximising opportunities for Thai business events stakeholders; ii) bolstering support measures to influence buyer decisions; iii) elevating both online and offline platforms for showcasing Thailand’s offerings; and iv) fostering industry knowledge advancement to keep Thai stakeholders at the forefront of the sector and global trends.

UFI 2026 Congress headed to Bahrain

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Paris & Bahrain, 25th June: UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, will bring its 93rd UFI Global Congress to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The association’s largest annual event will be hosted by Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), a venue.

The UFI Global Congress rotates to a different city (and region) each year. The event gathers exhibition industry leaders from around the world for networking and several days of content. The 2026 edition will bring the event back to the Middle East for the first time since 2022 edition in Oman, which attracted more than 400 delegates from over 50 countries and regions.

Quick takes

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IEG launches Sigep Asia in Singapore

The Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) launched the inaugural edition of Sigep Asia, a new event focused on gelato. It is a geo-clone of Sigep World. Running from 26th to 28th June 2024, the show featured over 300 brands from 31 countries.

Messe Frankfurt expects new revenue record

Last year, Messe Frankfurt recorded revenues of €770 million (US$851 million) – that is an increase of more than 25%. During the past year, a total of 349 events were held, featuring some 86,400 exhibiting companies and over 4.3 million visitors.

Messe München announces record revenues

Messe München recorded group revenues of €441 million (US$487 million) in 2023. Other key stats include: organising 19 trade fairs and hosting 93 “guest events”. The events attracted some 32,400 exhibitors and two million visitors. In Asia, electronica China was its biggest trade fair in 2023. IE expo China occupied all 17 halls at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

UFI appoints new Head of Marketing and Communications

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has appointed a new Head of Marketing and Communications, Pierre Aurélien Vidon, He will be based in Paris.

HKCEC appoints Diane Chen as Deputy MD

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Hong Kong/Shenyang, 18th June: The management company of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), HML Limited, has announced that Diane Chen will become the second Deputy Managing Director at HKCEC, effective 2nd July 2024. Diane will also be appointed to the company’s Executive Leadership Committee.

Diane is currently the General Manager of Shenyang New World EXPO. When she takes up her new role at HKCEC, Mr. Leslie Li will assume the position of General Manager of Shenyang New World EXPO. Effective 18th June 2024, he will lead the administration, operation and staff of Shenyang New World EXPO.