UFI elects new Board of Directors

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Paris, 27th October: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the election results for the new UFI Board of Directors for the 2026-2029 term.

The UFI Board of Directors, consisting of 61 members at maximum, is tasked with implementing decisions outlined in the annual General Assembly meeting, developing UFI policy, and preparing all proposals related to matters that impact international trade fairs.

Panittha Buri, UFI President and Vice Chairperson, BHIRAJ BURI GROUP, commented, “Our Board of Directors reflects what makes UFI truly special: a global community united by a shared commitment to advancing the exhibition industry. I warmly congratulate all newly elected members and extend my sincere thanks to those stepping down for their dedication, commitment and service to UFI… As we look ahead, I am confident that by continuing to work together, support one another and actively contribute to our shared vision, we can make UFI even stronger and create greater value for our global exhibition community. After all, the future of UFI is something we shape together.”

RELX posts 7% revenue growth for first nine months

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London, 22nd October: RELX Group plc, parent company of RX Global (formerly Reed Exhibitions), reported underlying revenue growth of 7% for the first nine months of 2026.

According to RELX, the improving long-term growth trajectory continues to be driven by the ongoing shift in business mix towards higher growth analytics and decision tools that deliver enhanced value to the customers.

In terms of its exhibitions business, underlying revenues posted a growth of 4% during the reported period. The company attributed the growth to the improved growth profiles of its event portfolio and good progress on value-enhancing digital initiatives for its customers.

The company expects to see positive momentum and will see another year of strong underlying growth in revenues and adjusted operating profit. While the exhibition business is expected a strong underlying revenue growth, excluding the Middle East impact.

Made-in-China.com posts increase in revenues and profit

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Nanjing, 24th October: Last week, Shenzhen-listed Focus Technology, which owns and operates the B2B trading platform, Made-in-China.com, released its financial results for the quarter ended 30th September 2026. Revenues in the quarter were US$81.2 million, increased by 12% over the third quarter of 2025. Profit in the quarter jumped 38% year-on-year, reaching US$25.0 million.

The results for the first nine months of 2026 were also reported, with revenues of US$239 million, an increase of 14% year-on-year. The company’s profit posted a moderate increase 2.8% year-on-year, amounting at US$63.8 million. The diluted earnings per share in the nine-month period were RMB 0.3997 (US$0.060).

As of 30th September, the company reported that Made-in-China.com had 31,289 paid members, up 7% year-on-year. While “AI Mai” service had 15,718 members, generating revenues of US$10.9 million, up 33% over the first nine months in 2025.

DLG Exhibitions’ revenues up, but profit down

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Shanghai, 24th October: DLG Exhibitions & Events (formerly known as Shanghai Lansheng), a Shanghai-listed exhibition organiser and conglomerate, has recently announced its results for the nine months ended 30th September 2026. The company generated revenues of US$175 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 14%.

However, the company’s net profit posted a decrease of 7.8% for the nine-month period, down to US$36.0 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first nine months of 2026 were RMB 0.22 (US$0.033).

In the first nine months of 2026, the company hosted and organised a total of 19 exhibitions occupying a scale of over 985,000 m2. The Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center (SWEECC), the venue operated by DLG, held some 57 exhibitions and events, with a total rental area of over 5.8 million m2.

DLG also released its financial results for the quarter ended 30th September. Revenues in the quarter were US$95.0 million, growing 35% year-on-year. While net profit recorded an increase of 22% year-on-year, reaching US$29.0 million.

Quick takes

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Gangneung’s first purpose-built convention centre

Gangneung will open its first purpose-built convention facility, Gangneung Convention Center (GCO). It is a four-story venue spans about 19,000 m2, featuring a main multipurpose hall capable of seating up to 2,100 delegates and 19 flexible meeting rooms designed for breakout sessions of varying scales.

Macau welcomes 32m+ visitor arrivals in first nine months

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released its latest visitor arrivals information for the first nine months of 2026, reporting a total of 32,181,272 visitor arrivals, increased by 8.5% year-on-year. Same-day visitors were up by 14.5%, amounting at 19,783,856, while overnight visitors remained stable at 12,397,416. However, the average length of stay visitors shortened by 0.1 day from the first nine months of 2025, down to 1.0 day.

ITB Asia Select to launch in 2027 in Indonesia

A leading travel trade show in Asia, ITB Asia concluded at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, bringing more than 18,000 participants, over 1,000 exhibiting brands and more than 1,500 qualified buyers. Under the theme of “Experiences in Motion: Human-Centre Design in Travel & Tourism”, the event was co-located with MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia, examining how changing traveller expectations, technological advances and experience-led innovation to shape the future of travel.

During the event, the launch of ITB Asia Select was announced, which will be a new regional initiative designed to extend the ITB Asia brand into selected markets across, with Indonesia being the first destination. ITB Asia Select Indonesia will take place in Jakarta, running from 23rd to 24th June 2027.