Quick takes

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Germany distinguishes between mass gatherings and exhibitions

In a highly significant development, the German government has noted a separation between mass gatherings (e.g. live music concerts) and exhibitions. The German state of North Rhine-Wesphalia (NRW) has announced that it will allow trade fairs and conferences to go ahead as of 30th May. NRW is a significant market for organisers such as Kölnmesse.

Exhibition News article

UFI releases Global Framework for Reopening Exhibitions

UFI continues its tireless effort to provide the ailing global exhibitions industry with the latest information on its Novel Coronavirus – Resources Page. This week UFI published it’s Global Framework for the Reopening Exhibitions which is now available for download.

UFI’s Novel Coronavirus – Resources Page

Singapore’s Medical Fair Asia postponed from Sept to Dec

In a sign that Singapore’s events industry will not return to normal until at least the fourth quarter of 2020, Messe Düsseldorf has announced that the 13th edition of its Medical Fair Asia will be postponed from 9th to 11th September 2020 to 9th to 11th December 2020.

Medical Fair Asia website

MIFF pushed into 2021

Earlier this year, Informa Markets’ massive Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) was postponed from its original dates in March to early July 2020. This week Informa Markets decided to wait until 8th to 11th March 2021 to hold the next edition of MIFF. This is not surprising given the large international participation at this event.

Furniture World article

Korea to provide training and financial support to business events sector

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Korea, 29th April: The Seoul Convention Bureau (SCB) unveiled this week new training opportunities and financial support for the Seoul MICE Alliance (SMA) members. The SCB initiative aims to assist with the recovery of the Korean business events sector.

These initiatives are part of SCB’s “Stand Strong Together” campaign with the SMA. The campaign will continue until 22nd May. As part of this initiative, SMA members will have access to various event management courses.

Meorient’s revenues down 46%

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Zhejiang, 29th April: Last week, Shanghai-based and Shenzhen-listed, exhibition organiser, Meorient, announced its financial results for the quarter ended 31st March 2020.

Revenues in the quarter were US$1.7 million, down 46% compared with the same quarter last year. However, the company managed to narrow its loss to US$2.9 million, down from the US$3.1 million recorded in 2019.

Hyve Group’s share price down 80% YTD

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London, 7th May: Earlier this week, Hyve Group (formerly ITE Group) released its financial results for the six months ended 31st March 2020. Revenues in the period were £96.3 million (US$119 million), an increase of 1% on a like-for-like basis.

Management reports that profits before tax were £19.8 million (US$24 million), down from £24.5 million (US$30 million) in the same period last year. The company attributed the decrease to event postponements and cancellations due to global COVID-19 pandemic.

CCPIT Shanghai and Alibaba jointly launch new platform

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Shanghai, 7th May: This week, the Alibaba Group and CCPIT Shanghai jointly launched a new company, Yunshang Exhibition Company (translated name), with the overall aim of developing an online exhibition platform. CCPIT, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, is a governmental body tasked with promoting international trade between Chinese businesses and the rest of the world. CCPIT is major exhibition organiser in China.

The partners hope that the new company can effectively develop an “online exhibition business.” Yunshang Exhibition Company (YEC) will help support the Chinese exhibition industry which has been severely affected by the global COVID-19 outbreak. Alibaba will contribute its expertise in cutting edge technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G and big data analysis. While CCPIT will contribute its exhibition organising expertise to the partnership.

 

Quick takes

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Tokyo Big Sight announces new closure dates

The exhibition industry in Japan has been hammered by bad news: the widening COVID-19 outbreak, the emergency lockdown, and the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Now the country’s largest venue, Tokyo Big Sight (TBS), announces its new closure dates in 2021 due to the postponed Olympic games.

TBS announcement

Pinduoduo: A rising Alibaba competitor

Much talked about, but Pinduoduo has a long way to go before it is on the same level as Alibaba and JD.com.

CNBC article

What will exhibitions look like after COVID-19

The Financial Times take a stab at that pressing question.

FT article

More and more shows go online

As a result of the pandemic, more and more trade shows are announcing plans to go online. IT&CM China and CTW China announced virtual editions this year. And the postponements continue to pile up as venue capacity drastically tightens in the second half of the year.

TTG Asia article

Exhibition World article

Messe Muenchen Shanghai press release

Reed Exhibition China press release

Shanghai Lansheng revenue up, but profit down

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Shanghai, 18th April: Shanghai Lansheng (formerly known as East Best) released its financial results for the year ended 31st December 2019. Revenue in the year was US$645 million. This represents solid year-on-year growth of 13%.

However, profit in 2019 dropped 24% year-on-year, down to US$25 million. Diluted earnings per share in 2019 were RMB 0.415 (US$0.059). The company attributed the decrease in profit to a notable rise in its costs and a decrease in its income from on-going investments.

HC Group’s revenue up 40%, but posts large loss in 2019

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Hong Kong, 17th April: Last week, the HC Group, an online B2B information services provider in China, reported total revenue of US$2.1 billion for the year ended 31st December 2019. That represents an increase of 40% year-on-year. The revenue growth was mainly from HC’s smart industries segment – its well-established B2B trading platform.

However, the company posted a loss of US$54 million in 2019, compared with a profit of US$39 million in the previous year. The loss was attributed to an increase in cost of sales and an impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets.

TCEB launches campaign to support events

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Bangkok, 20th April: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) unveiled two projects this week: the “Virtual Meeting Space” (VMS) and “Simple Ways to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Your Meetings and Events.” Both initiatives aim to support the MICE industry in Thailand.

VMS will help Thai MICE companies run business events online and upgrade their employees’ skills on virtual platforms, while the “Simple Ways” initiative will allow MICE venue owners and operators to upgrade their safety and health standards.

GIC to be cornerstone investor in Informa share placement

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London, 16th April: Last week, Informa unveiled its financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group revealed that the measures will include the following: temporarily suspending dividends, cutting executive pay and issuing new shares worth about 20% of its total existing capital.

Informa reportedly plans to raise approximately £1 billion in order to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce its debt from £2.4 billion (US$2.9 billion) to £1.4 billion (US$$1.7 billion). The group will place 250,318,000 new ordinary shares or approximately 20% of the group’s existing issued share capital – which will raise £1 billion.

Quick takes

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HK Government may cover exhibitors’ fees at book fair

In an interview focused on how the government plans to support the economic recovery, Edward Yau, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, stated that he was unsure whether the HKTDC’s annual book fair would go ahead as planned in July. “But he said, if it does take place, the government was willing to shoulder its exhibition fees, which come to around HK$40 million (US$5.1 million).”

The Standard article

 

 

Baselworld’s future looks uncertain

After losing The Swatch Group in a spat in 2018, now the MCH Group’s flagship event will lose five core watch brands that will establish their own competing event and add to that, its exhibitors are upset about MCH’s refund policy.

Forbes article

National Jeweler article

 

 

An event creator under quarantine

Hong Kong-based event organiser, Robert Rogers, reflects on SARS, his home quarantine and events after COVID-19.

Mix Meetings article

 

 

London Book Fair exhibitors pursue refunds

Exhibitors at Reed Exhibitions’ London Book Fair look to the organiser and service providers for a refund. This will be a story repeated thousands of times in the coming months.

This Is Money article

Global Sources introduces MATCH Express

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Hong Kong, 16th April: Hong Kong-based Global Sources will launch a customised business-matching service, MATCH Express, aiming to connect relevant buyers and suppliers.

 

Based on the buyer’s sourcing criteria, qualified Verified Suppliers on Global Sources will be able to directly contact buyers in the “MATCH Express” section.

Messe Frankfurt merges Intertextile Shanghai and Shenzhen

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Shanghai/Shenzhen, 8th April: As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Messe Frankfurt has announced plans to postpone its Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition, Yarn Expo Spring and Intextile Shanghai Home Textile – Spring Edition. The events will be merged with two other events in Shenzhen: Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen.

 

The Shenzhen shows will run from 15th to 17th July 2020 at Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center. Messe Frankfurt is offering its exhibitors at the Shanghai shows the opportunity to exhibit at the Shenzhen shows or at the autumn edition of the Shanghai shows which will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) (NECC) running from 24th to 26th August 2020.

Informa Markets to launch beauty expo in Shenzhen

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Guangzhou, 16th April: Informa Markets, BolognaFiere and Shanghai Baiwen Exhibition Company plan to launch the South China Beauty Expo (SCBE) later this year with the aim of serving the Chinese cosmetics industry in the Greater Bay Area.

 

The first edition of SCBE will be held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (SZCEC) from 30th July to 1st August covering an area of 22,500 m2. The organisers expect 800 exhibitors to offer products covering categories including: perfume & fragrance, personal care & toiletries, cosmetics & tools, nails & equipment, professional salons products & equipment, and hair salons products & equipment, supply chain. Over 20,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the new show.

CBME India 2020 ties up with India toy association

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Mumbai, 26th March: Informa Markets has announced that Children, Baby and Maternity Expo India (CBME India), a leading children and maternity product business expo in India, will tie up with The All India Toy Manufacturer’s Association (TAITMA) for the upcoming edition of the event in September this year.

 

TAITMA is a key association in Indian serving the toy market there. Under the terms of the cooperation, TAITMA will support domestic exhibitors and visitors interested in participating in the event. Organised by Informa Markets, CBME India 2020 will be held from 2nd to 4th September at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.

Informa plc outlines its financial response to COVID-19

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London, 16th April: We have a few articles on Informa this week. In the face the on-going global COVID-19 pandemic, Informa plc has unveiled some the measures that the group will take to shore up its financial position.

 

The group will temporarily suspend dividends, cut executive pay and issue new shares worth about 20% of its total existing capital. Informa plans to raise approximately £1 billion in order to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce its debt from £2.4 billion ($2.9 billion) to £1.4 billion ($1.7 billion). The company is also negotiating with its U.S.-based debt holders over a “covenant waiver agreement.”