Messe Düsseldorf launches India Competence Centre

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Düsseldorf & India, 27th June: International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK – German) jointly launched India Competence Centre Düsseldorf (IKD – German).

IKD will be a central point of contact for all matters related to the Indian market. It is targeted to support to Indian companies opening offices in Düsseldorf while facilitating access to the Indian growth market for Düsseldorf-based companies.

IHK President, Andreas Schmitz, said, “India has one of the most dynamic economies in the world. With the new India Competence Centre, we’re making a clear statement about the strategic trajectory of our foreign trade relations. In geopolitically challenging times, it’s particularly crucial to promote the diversification of sales and procurement markets. The IKD will work to support our member companies as a competent partner.”

Pico Far East’s revenues up 18%

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Hong Kong, 27th June: Last week, Hong Kong-listed Pico Far East Holdings announced its interim results for the six months ended 30th April 2025. Revenues were US$447 million, a year-on-year increase of 18%. Profits in the six-month period grew 11%, reaching US$27 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first half of the financial year were HK$0.1703 (US$0.022).

In terms of business segments, more than 88% of Pico’s revenues were generated from its exhibition, event & brand activation business (US$394 million), which was up 20% year-on-year. The company attributed the growth to the completion of the COP29 project for the United Nation during the reported period.

The remaining revenues were generated from its museum & themed entertainment business (US$34 million), visual branding activation business (US$13 million), and meeting architecture activation business (US$6.0 million).

Revenues from the museum & themed entertainment business jumped 44%. The increase was due to the company maintained stable growth in business volume with a full pipeline of projects in Saudi Arabia and Asia, and also the success in ensuring smooth delivery of several major projects.

However, the revenues from the meeting architecture activation business dropped by 20%, and the visual branding activation business decreased by 35% year-on-year. The economic uncertainty and a struggling property market have slowed growth in China’s automotive sector, reducing the rate of new showroom openings, in the result of the decrease in Pico’s visual branding activation business. While the decrease in the meeting architecture activation business was mainly due to the extraordinary income from the divestment of InfocommAsia in Singapore recorded in the previous year.

Koelnmesse posts strong results for 2024

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Cologne, 27th June: International exhibition organiser Koelnmesse, released its financial results for 2024, with a turnover of €365.8 million (US$381 million), and a profit of €21.3 million (US$22 million).

In 2024, the company organised a total of 76 events in Cologne and worldwide, welcoming more than 2.1 million visitors from 197 countries. Over 34,500 exhibiting companies from 106 nations showcased their products and services at the events. The company launched eight new events during the year and significantly expanded existing trade formats. Since 2023, the company has already organised 21 new trade fairs abroad, and nine more will be held in 2025.

Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH, was quoted, “Our growth shows that those who invest courageously, remain innovative and consistently focus on the future will be rewarded even in a challenging market environment. We create value for our partners, exhibitors, and visitors – both at our own trade fair grounds in Cologne and worldwide.”

In 2025, Koelnmesse will host a total of 82 events, including 60 of its own events. Of which, 39 trade fairs are to be held abroad.

Messe München records results for 2024

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München, 27th June: Messe München, a world’s leading exhibition organiser, posted a record results for the financial year 2024, generating consolidated sales of €488 million (US$508 million), without bauma. The annual net income was €70 million (73 million).

The company’s trade centre hosted a total 16 events in 2024, and 93 guest events contributed to its business, attracting some 1.3 million visitors. The company organised a total of 47 events abroad, featuring 22,660 exhibitors and about 1.2 million visitors.

In China, almost one million visitors attended 25 events at Messe Muenchen Shanghai and its venues in 2024, meeting more than 16,000 exhibiting companies. While in India, Messe Muenchen India doubled its sales in 2024 over the previous year.

The two CEOs Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel presented, “Both sales and income have reached new heights for our group. Thanks to a clear strategic focus and a healthy core business, Messe München is growing from its own resources in Germany and abroad, even in this challenging economic and global environment.”

In 2025, Messe München expects sales to exceeding €500 million (US$520 million), attracting around 2.5 million visitors.

Quick takes

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UFI names winners of its awards

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released the winners of the 2025 UFI Marketing Award and the 2025 UFI Operations & Services Award. The winner of the 2025 UFI Marketing Award was Targi w Krakowie/EXPO Krakow from Poland, with the topic of “NextGenConnect: Marketing strategies to engage the Next Generations in exhibitions”. While Exhibition Place won the 2025 UFI Operations & Services Award, under the theme of “Revolutionising the F&B Experience in Exhibitions: Sustainable, Engaging, and Adaptive Solutions”. The 2025 UFI Award winners will be officially celebrated and will present their projects at the 92nd UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong SAR, running from 19th to 22nd November 2025.

Takanawa Gateway Convention Center opens in Tokyo

Takanawa Gateway Convention Center opened on 1st July 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Developed and operated by East Japan Railway Company, Congrès Inc. and JR East Building Co., the venue is expected to cater to international conferences, conventions and exhibitions, as well as meetings, ceremonies, parties and social gatherings. Linkpillar Hall in the venue has a capacity of 1,640 m2, featuring three sections that can be subdivided, and can accommodate up to 2,000 pax. The venue also has seven rooms with size ranging from 134 m2 to 496 m2, and four anterooms.

TEA appoints new president

Thailand Exhibition Association (TEA) announced the appointment of its New President to be Loy Joon How, General Manager of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., effective June 2025. He has served as Vice President on TEA’s Executive Committee for the last two years. In the new role, he will be looking to develop and direct economic growth through new business opportunities, creating events and networking activities, solidifying international marketing efforts, and advocating policies to upgrade the exhibition industry. In addition, he will lead on the adaption of technologies and innovations to upgrade industry standards through education, training, resource sharing, and best practices, while championing the introduction of eco-friendly exhibitions and best green practices.

InnoTrans Asia launches in Singapore in 2027

International exhibition organiser, Messe Berlin, will launch InnoTrans Asia in Singapore, at the Singapore EXPO, running from 7th to 9th September 2027. It will be the first Asian edition of the world’s leading transport technology trade fair, which will serve as a central platform for Asia’s transport sector. InnoTrans Asia will be held in the alternate year of the biennial InnoTrans Berlin and will focus on the Asia-Pacific market, showcasing Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction.