Messe Düsseldorf creates new regional hub in Asia

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Singapore, 10th April: International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, announced plans to separate its Asian business from its German headquarters. Messe Düsseldorf for Asia (MDfA) will combine its five Asian subsidiaries in one centrally coordinated entity.

The new company will be led by Regional Head Marius Berlemann (Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf in China), Deputy Regional Head Gernot Ringling (Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia). Together with their team, they will centrally coordinate sales and attendee marketing for Messe Düsseldorf in Asia.

Marina Bay Sands plans expansion

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Singapore, 5th April: Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has entered the final phase of design and programme enhancements for its planned expansion. The construction will begin in July this year and MBS’s management expects it to be completed by July 2029.

The expansion will include a luxury hotel tower with a sky roof, a 15,000-seat entertainment arena, additional MICE space, and new restaurants and bars. MBS will use the new arena to help attract top entertainers from Asia and around the world, and the additional MICE space to help attract more business events to MBS including exhibitions and conferences – several of which are wall-bound.

DLG Expo’s revenues up 84% in 2023

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Shanghai, 11th April: Earlier this week, Shanghai-listed DLG Exhibitions (formerly Shanghai Lansheng) released its financial results for the year ended 31st December 2023. Revenues in the year were US$200 million. This represents a year-on-year increase of 84%. The company attributed the growth in revenues to a strong performance from its domestic exhibition business.

Net profit jumped 141% year-on-year, reaching US$31 million. Diluted earnings per share in 2023 were RMB 0.52 (US$0.073).

Quick takes

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Hong Kong’s newest venue will have 50,000 seats

The Kai Tak Sports Park is scheduled to open in mid-2025. It will feature a 50,000-seat domed stadium and 10,000-seat indoor arena for sports and entertainment. ASM Global will manage the venue and have recently hired Matthew Lazarus-Hall to manage the entertainment business to be developed at Kai Tak Sports Park.

Biometric tech reshaping travel

A new white paper argues that touchless, highly efficient biometric technology is the answer for airports to securely cope with surging numbers of travellers. This technology could also transform registration at business events (in some countries).

New and renovated venues in multiple markets

Competition between venues is heating up. Three venues in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore are opening new facilities and refurbished meeting spaces. Other venues that have are expanded and improving supporting facilities include AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Tier two Chinese cities attracting international incentives

So says TTGmice. This article reports that incentive trips to China are making a comeback in 2024 due to relaxed visa policies and the relative affordability of second-tier destinations. TTG reports that cities such as Kunming, Chengdu, Xi’an and Chongqing are attracting incentive groups.