SingEx-Sphere rebrands as Constellar

Singapore, 23rd June: The MICE portfolio company of Temasek, SingEx Holdings Pte Ltd, and a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, merged to form SingEx-Sphere Holdings in February. Recently, the merged company announced its new name, Constellar.

According to the company, the outbreak of COVID-19 has given the MICE industry the opportunity to become a digitally-enable intellectual property business, and Constellar will create a new path for growth through reinvention and collaboration.

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 2021)

Phuket to reopen next month

Phuket, 9th June: The Thai government announced Phuket will reopen on 1st July 2021 to vaccinated international tourists, the first city in the country to do so.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is in discussions with airlines to increase seat capacities and is planning support packages for groups of 30 or more staying in Thailand for at least two nights. TCEB will also target tourists from China.

HKTDC launches GoGBA one-stop platform

Hong Kong, 10th June: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) launched a new business support programme, the GoGBA one-stop platform, to help companies access the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The launch of the GoGBA one-stop platform includes the GoGBA WeChat mini programme – a digital information and business tool, and the opening of the HKTDC GBA Centre, located in Shenzhen. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were also signed during the launch event to expand the network of support for Hong Kong companies.

Reed Exhibitions rebrands as RX

London, 10th June: Last week, Reed Exhibitions announced it is rebranding as RX, with a refreshed visual identity and updated brand positioning.

After rebranding, RX will leverage its capabilities in data and technology to create year-round communities that support businesses and help their customers to grow. The company will also combine both digital and face-to-face interactions to create better livelihoods for its customers, better careers for people and better experiences for audiences to connect.

Pico Thailand narrows loss

Bangkok, 11th June: The Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, Pico Thailand, released its results for the quarter ended 30th April 2021. Revenues in the quarter were US$5.1 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 23%. The company narrowed its loss to US$321,000, from a loss of US$791,000 recorded in the same quarter last year.

The company attributed its revenue growth to eased government measures to control the COVID-19 situation in mid-February 2021.

Quick takes

CEIR issues positive 2021 first quarter results

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has announced that the U.S. B2B exhibition industry showed modest improvement in the first quarter. Rising vaccinations in the U.S. are expected to improve industry performance.

Singapore eases COVID-19 restrictions from June 14

Following the decline of daily infection cases in Singapore, restrictions will be relaxed across two phases. Size limits of MICE events and other small-scale public gatherings have been raised to 250 attendees (with pre-event testing). For events with 50 or fewer attendees, testing will not be required.

Catja Caspary named VP of Marketing Communications at Koelnmesse

Catja Caspary, former Vice President of Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse, will now serve as the company’s VP of Marketing Communications.

Quick takes

Cairns Convention Centre re-opens after refurbishment

The Cairns Convention Centre, closed since April 2020, has completed its A$176 million (US$227million) refurbishment and expansion, featuring state-of-the-art technology and a contemporary interior design.

Perth wins bids to host two conferences

Business Events Perth recently secured bids to host AusBiotech (Australia largest life sciences conference) next year, as well as the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases in 2024.

Philippines recalibrates MICE Roadmap

In light of the global pandemic, the Philippines is updating its MICE Roadmap 2030, which outlines strategies to position the country as a desirable business events destination in Asia and the Middle East within the decade.

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 2021)

Quick takes

Quick takes

Global Exhibitions Day 2021 celebrates exhibitions industry

Held on 2nd June, Global Exhibitions Day 2021 emphasised how instrumental exhibitions are in creating platforms for growth and recovery, while instilling confidence to participate in organized events that prioritise safety and success.

Malaysia unveils economic stimulus package

The Malaysian government has unveiled a RM40 billion (US$9.7 billion) economic stimulus package to cushion the impact of a nationwide two-week lockdown, which kicks off on 1st June.

New data suggest coronavirus immunity may last years

A new study has shown that most people who recovered from Covid-19 still have enough immune cells to fend off the virus and prevent illness eight months after infection. This slow rate of decline suggests immunity may last for years.

2021 UFI Asia-Pacific Conference looked beyond pandemic

Hong Kong, 25th May: This week, UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, held its Asia-Pacific Conference on 20th May. Approximately 250 exhibition industry leaders from over 20 different markets in Asia and beyond joined the digital-only conference. This was the 15th edition of this event, and the first time it was held in digital-only format.

The conference reconnected the pandemic-affected exhibition industry community across Asia. It was a useful exchange as various markets in the region are at different stages of re-opening for business. Speakers provided updates and insights covering policy and best practices on adapting events to the current environment, as well as likely M&A trends in the post-pandemic world. There were also speakers from outside the events industry addressing topics such as gaming, e-sports and theme parks. These speakers offered strategies on delivering customer-centric products and services in a world of rapidly changing circumstances.