UFI elects President for 2027-28

Paris / Izmir, 3rd June: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the UFI Board of Directors elected Said Al Shanfari (CEO, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre) as the UFI President for the 2027-28 term.

The UFI Presidential Trio for the November 2026 – November 2027 term (effective at the conclusion of the 93rd UFI Global Congress in November 2026) will be:

·       Wolfram Diener (President & CEO, Messe Düsseldorf Group), President

·       Panittha Buri (Vice-Chairperson, Bhiraj Buri Group), Outgoing President

·       Sais Al Shanfari, Incoming President

Al Shanfari will bring experience in marketing, destination development and venue management across the Middle East & Africa. He has served as UFI’s Middle East & Africa Chapter Chair, and the appointment will bring a regional perspective and renewed energy to UFI’s global leadership.

Chris Skeith OBE, UFI CEO and Managing Director, commented, “Said has been a familiar and much-valued face at UFI events for many years, and his dedication to our community has never wavered… As Chair of UFI’s Middle East and Africa Chapter for the past three years, he has been an active and passionate advocate for the region and for our industry. I am delighted to welcome him as UFI’s Incoming President and look forward to working closely with him as we advance UFI’s mission.”

TCEB launches Thailand’s first digital MICE platform

Thailand, 28th May: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched “JerGan” (meaning “Let’s meet” in Thai), Thailand’s first digital MICE platform, under its MaxiMICE Thailand.

The “JerGan” application will connect MICE travellers with local businesses, to expand income distribution across the boarder MICE value chain. It will establish a MICE Behavioral Data Infrastructure to support more targeted and effective marketing strategies.

The platform will develop through three integrated pillars: 1) Data-Driven MICE Intelligence, transforming customer pain points into a Behavioral Data Infrastructure capable of driving actionable industry strategies; 2) MICE Ecosystem Connector, integrating venues, communities, food and beverage services, transportation, and local experiences into one connected ecosystem; and 3) MICE Economic Booster, expanding MICE traveller spending beyond venues into surrounding local economies and communities.

JerGan targets both Thai and international MICE travellers across three primary user groups: 1) International MICE Travelers, 2) Conference Organizers, and 3) Thai exhibitors participating in domestic trade exhibitions.

Dr. Jaruwan Suwannasat, Vice President of the TCEB, explained, “JerGan serves as a strategic solution that systematically addresses the evolving demands of MICE travellers. The platform enhances the overall MICE experience while enabling spending to flow more effectively across the wider industry value chain and related sectors. It also supports the sustainable growth of Thailand’s MICE economy and ecosystem. In addition, the platform provides venues and operators with valuable insights into traveller behaviour – including how delegates spend their time outside events and their pre- and post-event spending patterns. JerGan will therefore become a powerful data platform that can help shape more personalized and effective MICE experiences in the future.”

Vietnam opens new Vietnam Exposition Center

Hanoi, 29th May: Vietnam will have a new venue, Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC), targeting as a strategic bridge connecting Vietnam to the world.

Located in Cổ Lao, Hanoi, VEC has a capacity of 900,000 m2, including Kim Quy Exhibition Hall, a 13-tectare centerpiece designed with flexible operational capacities capable of accommodating exhibitions and events. It will serve as a standalone venue to connect commerce, tourism, entertainment, and culture.

The infrastructure also includes a 135,000-seat Hùng Vương Stadium and a 60,000-seat PVF Stadium, with a retractable roof system. In addition, Vingroup will support the VEC with an integrated supporting ecosystem, with Vinpearl’s hospitality inventory of over 16,000 hotel rooms, a dedicated international event organising arm (V-Spirit), and Green SM’s fleet of 186,000 electric vehicles to manage large-scale delegation logistics.

HKECIA releases latest industry figures

Hong Kong, 1st June: At the latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Industry Association (HKECIA), Hong Kong’s exhibition industry figures has been released.

Last year, a total of 152 large-scale exhibitions (over 2,000 m2) were held in Hong Kong, exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time, with total rented space exceeded 924,000 m2. Visitor numbers increase 10.9%, reaching 1.62 million. However, exhibitor number dropped 8%, down to about 47,000.

Quick takes

Tourism Australia appoints new EGM Global Markets

Tourism Australia has appointed Ms Kathryn (Kath) O’Brien as its Executive General Manager (EGM) Global Markets, effective 10th August 2026. She has more than 20 years of industry experience in tourism and aviation. In the new role, Ms O’Brien will be responsible for managing Tourism Australia’s network of international offices across 16 global markets along with airline and distribution channel partnerships.

HKECIA elects first woman chair

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Industry Association (HKECIA) elected new chair to succeed Stuart Bailey, who will step down after a decade. The new chair, Wendy Lai, will become the first woman to lead HKECIA, while Bailey will be the Honorary Life President. Lai, Vice President of Global Sources Exhibitions, will bring her over 20 years of experience in the exhibition industry. She has events career of portfolio management, business development and strategic planning across multiple markets.

bauma SHANGHAI 2026 to held in two venues

Messe München Shanghai’s bauma Shanghai 2026 will expand to be held across two venues in Shanghai for the next edition. Under the “One Show, Two Venues” concept, the events will take place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC), running from 23rd to 26th November 2026, and the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), from 24th to 27th November 2026. The expanded trade fair will create a broader and more comprehensive industrial ecosystem platform.

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 2026)

HKTB signs MoU with Informa Markets

Hong Kong, 27th May: The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Informa Markets, a leading global trade exhibition organiser, to establish a strategic partnership to jointly bring international exhibition IPs to Hong Kong.

Under the MoU, the HKTB and Informa Markets will target to position Hong Kong as the host city of The Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC) from 2026 to 2028, developing the event into an annual flagship MICE event and progressively expanding its scale and international reach. The event will also adopt the “city-as-your-showroom” concept, extending beyond a single venue to span multiple landmarks and signature locations across Hong Kong. It will cover sectors including supercars, yachts, haute jewellery and horology, premium travel, masterpieces of art, iconic luxury properties, private aviation, fine dining and rare spirits, as well as wellness services and products.

In addition, the HKTB plans to participate in five of Informa Markets’ international exhibitions in collaboration with TFOC, to further promote Hong Kong’s strengths in MICE tourism to global audiences.

Dr. Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, said, “This partnership is of great significance. It not only elevates Hong Kong’s position as a premier global destination for high-end MICE tourism, but also affirms the city’s vital role as a ‘super-connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’ between the Chinese Mainland and the world. At the same time, the collaboration drives the development of Hong Kong’s high-end tourism market and helps attract more international brands and high-value visitors to the city. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tourism Commission, our trade partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support as we work hand in hand to advance Hong Kong’s journey as the World’s Meeting Place.”

Thailand launches new brand

Thailand, 21st May: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched a new MICE brand, “MaxiMICE Thailand – From Potential to Exponential”, to reinforce the country’s position as a premium destination for business events and for advancing global agendas.

The new brand will transform events into exponential opportunities, generating lasting value and meaningful impact for industry players.

The new brand consists of three strategic pillars: MaxiMICE Your Convenience, MaxiMICE Your Experience, and MaxiMICE Your Impact. MaxiMICE Thailand will reflect Thailand’s capabilities, leveraging the country’s strengths in infrastructure, creativity, and support network, to create more impactful business events.

Dr. Supawan Teerarat, President of the TCEB, was quoted, “Today’s business events are no longer measured solely by attendance numbers, but by the quality of connections, outcomes, and long-term impact they create. As the world faces increasingly multidimensional challenges, business events must serve as platforms for collaboration, collective solutions, and actionable progress. Our study identified the key factors shaping successful meeting destinations today. The results highlighted Thailand’s operational reliability, strong business impact, and ability to deliver beyond memorable experiences. This inspired the development of our new brand, built around three strategic pillars.”

Messe München appoints new CEO in Asia

Singapore, 26th May: The subsidiary of Messe München in Southeast Asia, MMI Asia, announced the appointment of Nino Gruettke as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st June 2026.

Gruettke has more than 21 years of experience in the international trade show and events industry, including senior leadership and management roles. He will succeed Michael Wilton, who joined Messe München in 2020 and has decided to step down from his position for personal reasons.

Stefan Rummel and Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer the two CEOs of Messe München, stated, “We very much look forward to working with Nino Gruettke. He has a deep understanding of the trade show and events market especially in Southeast Asia. Given his entrepreneurial track record in developing larger organizations and with his modern leadership style, we want to initiate the next phase of growth for our Southeast Asian business.”

VNU AP welcomes new CEO

Thailand, 27th May: VNU Asia Pacific (VNU AP) has appointed new Chief Executive Officer Bangkok, Thailand – VNU AP, Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, effective in June 2026.

Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, a Thai business executive and government official in the MICE sector, will bring his over 20 years of leadership experience in the exhibition industry across Asia. Prior to joining VNU AP, he has served as Director of the Exhibitions Department at the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and he has also held senior roles in the private sector.

The appointment is part of VNU AP’s ongoing efforts to align its leadership with the company’s evolving strategies and long-term goals, and reflects the commitment to growth and expansion.

Mr. Jeroen van Hooff, President & CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of VNU AP, said, “Mr. Yuaikwarmdee brings extensive expertise in exhibition and trade show management, as well as strong capabilities in sales, marketing, and business development across Southeast Asia and China. His experience and vision will be instrumental in guiding VNU AP through this transition and into its next phase of growth. Personally, I have long recognized and respected him as a trusted partner and a valued contributor to the international exhibition community.”

Quick takes

Macau welcomes 3m+ visitor arrivals in April

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) reported a total of 3,441,396 visitor arrivals were recorded in April 2026, an increase of 11.3% year-on-year. Same-day visitors grew 19.4% over April 2025, reaching 2,095,953 visitor arrivals, while overnight visitors were up moderately by 0.6%, amounting at 1,345,443. However, the average length of stay of visitors shortened by 0.1 day, down to 1.0 day.

Messe München expands automatica to Shanghai in 2027

International exhibition organiser, Messe München, will expand its automatica, robotics and automation technology event, to Shanghai in 2027. automatica Shanghai 2027 will be organised by Messe Muenchen Shanghai Co., Ltd. in partnership with VDMA Shanghai Representative Office and CRIA, running from 8th to 10th March 2027, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). The new event will offer leading-edge technologies and forward-looking industry insights to industrial partners in China and across Asia, by showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative achievements.

SIAL Shanghai expands to Guangzhou this September

Organised by Comexposium, SIAL Shanghai, food and beverage trade fair in Asia, concluded on 20th May 2026, featuring over 5,000 brands from 75 countries and regions, showcasing more than 350,000 exhibits. A total of 183,302 professionals from 132 countries and regions attended the event. Meanwhile, Comexposium announced to expand SIAL to Greater Bay Area. SIAL Guangzhou will take place at the Poly World Trade Center Expo, from 3rd to 5th September 2026.

Global Sources concludes April Show

Global Sources’ April 2026 Hong Kong Shows concluded its three phases of exhibitions, attracting over 130,000 visitor entries from professional buyers representing 180 countries and regions to AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). The April series consisted of eight sourcing categories: Consumer Electronics, Gaming, Electronics Components, Mobile Electronics, Smart Home, Security & Home Appliances, Home & Kitchen, Lifestyle, and Sports & Outdoor. Some 4,500 Asian suppliers showcased at more than 8,500 booths with over 340,000 trending new products. The next edition of the Global Sources Hong Kong Show will be held in October 2026 in two phases.

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 2026)

Baidu posts decrease in Q1 2026

Beijing, 18th May: Earlier this week, Baidu, the leading Chinese language Internet search company, reported revenues of US$4.65 billion for the quarter ended 31st March 2026, which is a decrease of 1.2% year-on-year. The company’s net profit in the quarter shrank 55%, down to US$499 million. Diluted earnings per share in the quarter were RMB 1.10 (US$0.16).

About 39% of Baidu’s revenues were generated from its online marketing services, amounting to US$1.8 billion, which presents a drop of 17% year-on-year. While revenues from “others” business increased by 42% over the same quarter last year, reaching US$1.9 billion. The company attributed the increase to the growth of AI Cloud business. The remaining revenues were generated from iQIYI, which dropped 8% year-on-year, down to US$903 million.

Robin Li, Co-founder and CEO of Baidu, said, “AI Cloud Infra delivered exceptional momentum, powered by surging enterprise demand and the differentiated full-stack AI capabilities we have built over the years. Our AI Applications continued to gain traction across enterprises and individuals alike, further validating the commercial potential of our AI innovations. Meanwhile, Apollo Go sustained triple-digit growth in fully driverless rides while advancing its international expansion. We see AI driving even greater value for Baidu in the quarters ahead.”

Macau hosts 425 MICE events in Q1

Macau, 15th May: Last week, Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released its MICE statistics for the first quarter of 2026. A total of 425 MICE events were held in Macau in the quarter, which remained the same as the first quarter of 2025. However, the total number of participants and attendees decreased 8.7% year-on-year, down to 181,000.

Of the 425 events, 399 were meetings and conferences, remained unchanged year-on-year. The total number of participants at meetings and conferences grew 33%, reaching 49,000 participants.

A total of 11 exhibitions were held during the quarter, down by one exhibition compared with the first quarter of 2025. The number of attendees dropped 20% year-on-year, down to 128,000.

Sarawak improves event facilities

Sarawak, 14th May: Sarawak unveiled Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, an infrastructure programme ranging from venue upgrades to state-wide digital and industry initiatives. PCDS targets for paving way for more convention space, to improve road network offering to event planners across Asia Pacific and worldwide.

The latest projects will be the extension work at Borneo Convention and Exhibition Centre Kuching (BCCK) and a new airline, AirBorneo, based in Sarawak.

BCCK2 extension will include a new main hall with a capacity of 5,936 m2, and 34 breakout rooms across the combined facility. When BCCK2 extension complete in 2027-2028, its venue’s operating capacity will double, to host events of up to 9,500 delegates with BCCK1 and BCCK2 directly linked. BCCK will enable Kuching to provide association and business conference organisers more space, and to give delegates a more positive experience in Sarawak. It will be able to attract more large international business events.

AirBorneo began operations at the beginning of 2026 and has plans to extend its network to make Sarawak and destinations in Bornes more accessible across state and internationally to attract business event groups.

In addition, private sector also takes part with venue upgrades extending to existing facilities in downtown Kuching and in other parts of the state.

Messe Stuttgart adds new portfolio in India

India, 20th May: International exhibition organiser, Messe Stuttgart, announced to add Cable & Wire Fair along with Wire & Cable India magazine to its portfolio, showing the company’s continued expansion in India and underscores its commitment to enabling industry platforms, driving innovation, collaboration, and global integration.

Cable & Wire Fair is India’s leading exhibition in the wire and cable industry, held biennially. With the addition to Messe Stuttgart, the industry will be able to gain stronger access to international buyers, technology providers, and international business opportunities benefiting from Stuttgart’s international network.

The last edition was held in 2025, brining 424 exhibitors and 16,393 visitors, including 89 international exhibitors from 24 countries. The next edition is scheduled to run from 9th to 11th December 2027, at Yashobhoomi Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi.

Roland Bleinroth, CEO of Messe Stuttgart, said, “India is one of the most dynamic and strategically important markets for us globally. The addition of Cable & Wire Fair and Wire & Cable India magazine in our portfolio reflects our commitment to investing in sectors that are not only growing rapidly but are also critical to the future of global manufacturing and infrastructure. With our international expertise and network, we see strong potential to further strengthen this platform as a key meeting point for the global wire and cable industry.”

Quick takes

150+ brands at G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo 2026

Organised by RX Global, G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo brought together global leaders across gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts as digital innovation continues to reshape the industry’s next phase of growth. Taking place from 12th to 14th May 2026, at The Venetian Macao, expected to welcome 8,000 industry professionals from over 90 countries and regions. The co-located events featured over 150 brands, occupying more than 30,000 m2, to showcase net-generation technologies, immersive solutions, and digital infrastructure across the sector.

IEG posts good performance in Q1

Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A. (IEG) released its interim financial report for the quarter ended 31st March 2026. Revenues in the report period were €105 million (US$120 million), a year-on-year increase of 2.1%. Net profit in the quarter increased 6.0% year-on-year, amounting at €23 million (US$26 million).

Hyve expands Manifest

Hyve will expand Manifest into Europe, hosting in FIL in Lisbon, running from 19th to 21st October 2027. Hyve acquired Manifest in May 2025, and it continued to grow after the acquisition, with attendance up 20% at the first edition with Hyve.

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 2026)

Koelnmesse launches new JV in Indonesia

Jakarta, 12th May: International exhibition organiser, Koelnmesse, continues to expand its business in the Aisa-Pacific region, by establishing a joint venture in Indonesia, with Indonesia exhibition organiser, AMARA Expo. The new JV, PT. Nine Koeln Indonesia, headquartered in Jakarta, representing Koelnmesse’s 11th international entity and first dedicated company in Indonesia.

Through the new JV, Koelnmesse aims to drive the further development of Indonesia’s trade fair industry while expanding access to international markets and business networks. PT, Nine Koeln Indonesia will organise several trade fairs in 2026.

AMARA Expo, a leading Indonesia exhibition organiser, has a proven track record of delivering high-impact B2B trade platforms across diverse industrial sectors. Under the new JV, AMARA Expo will continue to drive innovation and economic growth by connecting global suppliers with Indonesia’s expanding industrial landscape.

Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, explained, “Further internationalisation is a core element of our corporate strategy. Our goal is to connect global industries with strong regional ecosystems. Indonesia – and Southeast Asia as a whole – offer enormous potential in this regard. Together with the AMARA Expo, we are further strengthening our presence on the ground while linking regional growth markets with our international portfolio and global networks.”

Alibaba posts 3% increase in revenues in FY2025-2026

Hong Kong, 13th May: Earlier this week, China’s largest e-commerce company, the Alibaba Group, announced its financial results for the year ended 31st March 2026. Revenues in the financial year were US$148 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 3%. However, net income in the year dropped 19% from the previous year, down to US$15 billion. Diluted earnings per share for the year were RMB 44 (US$6.38).

In terms of its B2B business, revenues generated from Alibaba’s B2B business in China under the Taobao and Tmall Group, mainly through its 1688.com platform, were US$3.82 billion, resulting in a year-on-year increase of 8%. The international B2B business under the Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, primarily on Alibaba.com, posted an 11% increase in revenues, amounting at US$3.83 billion. The B2B businesses only accounted for just 5.2% of Alibaba’s total revenues.

The Alibaba Group also released its results for the quarter ended 31st March, with revenues of US$35 billion, representing growth of 3% year-on-year. Net profit in the quarter jumped 96% over the same quarter in 2025, amounting at US$3.4 million.

Eddie Wu, Chief Executive Officer of Alibaba Group, said, “Alibaba’s full-stack AI investments have progressed from incubation to commercialization at scale. This quarter, we achieved accelerated breakthroughs across models, cloud infrastructure, and applications. Cloud Intelligence Group’s external revenue growth accelerated to 40%, with AI-related products accounting for 30% of this revenue. Our Qwen LLM demonstrated leadership in reasoning and coding while we strengthened our multimodal model portfolio with the launch of video generation and world models. As we see massive potential for agentic AI, we launched multiple enterprise AI agents for office and coding use cases, and we fully integrated e-commerce capabilities into the consumer-facing Qwen app, deepening synergies between AI and our consumer ecosystem.”