New conference and events venue launched in Melbourne

Melbourne, 21st September: Melbourne has officially launched its brand-new conference and events venue CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park.

CENTREPIECE, spanning over 4,500 m2 across three levels, has the capacity to host large-scale conferences and major awards nights, as well as weddings and gala celebrations. The venue features a 2,000 m2 pillarless Grand Hall, which opens out to an 800 m2 pre-function space and expansive outdoor terrace – as well as 15 breakout spaces, including a 250-seat auditorium and purpose-built broadcast studios.

IIJS Premiere 2021 held physically at the BIEC

 Bangalore, 16th September: Organised by the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), The India International Jewellery Show Premiere (IIJS Premiere) opened at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) on 15th September 2021.

Boosting India’s exhibition and events industry, the 37th edition of the show ran until 19th September. According to the GJEPC, this was the largest edition of the show, with a total of 1,300 exhibitors occupying 77,200 m2 across 5 halls.

Quick takes

Australia aims to reopen international borders by Christmas

Australia’s tourism minister has stated that the federal government will be reopening its international borders by Christmas “at the latest”. As part of Australia’s national reopening plan, citizens can travel overseas again once 80 percent of the eligible population (aged 16 and over) in their home state have been fully vaccinated. Furthermore, quarantines upon return will not be required.

Indonesia to launch three-phase tourism recovery plan

The Indonesian government has announced a three-stage recovery plan to bolster its tourism industry after COVID-19. The first stage of recovery will take place between 2021 and 2022 and focuses on spurring domestic tourism, accelerating digital transformation and the enforcement of cleanliness, health, safety and environmental sustainability (CHSE) protocols.

Malaysia’s travel industry urges caution to reopening

On 1st October, the Malaysian government will be reopening the three resort destinations of Melaka, Genting Highlands and Tioman Island to fully vaccinated domestic tourists. However, amid a high number of daily COVID-19 infections, the country’s travel industry says precautions will need to be ramped up prior to reopening to prevent further spikes.

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)

4,900 buyers attend Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE

Hong Kong, 8th September: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded the physical fairs of the 40th edition of Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and ninth edition of Salon de TE on 12th September, welcoming some 4,900 industry buyers and more than 23,600 public visitors for the first time.

Jointly organised by the HKTDC, Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries Ltd, the twin fairs featured more 160 exhibitors. The physical shows ran from 8th to 12th September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), and the online version will continue until 19th September.

Fiera Milano to launch FIND: Design Fair Asia

Singapore, 5th September: Last week, Fiera Milano, dmg events, MP Singapore, DesignSingapore Council and Singapore Tourism Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch FIND (Furniture, INteriors and Design): Design Fair Asia in Singapore next year.

The inaugural edition of FIND: Design Fair Asia will be held from 22nd to 24th September 2022 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre in a hybrid format, and is planned to be held annually for at least three editions, from 2022 to 2024. The fair will be co-organised by Fiera Milano, dmg events and MP Singapore, in partnership with DesignSingapore Council and the Singapore Tourism Board. It is expected to feature 500 exhibiting brands and 15,000 industry players. Under the MOU, the parties will collaborate on industry knowledge and innovation exchange, and growing the fair into Asia’s leading tradeshow for the furniture, interior and design sectors.

Freeman closes Info Salons in Australia

Australia, 8th September: Leading event registration and technology company, Info Salons, will close its headquarters in Australia at the end of October. The decision was made due to the pandemic’s toll on the Australian business events sector.

The parent company, Freeman, was no longer prepared to maintain the cost of running the Australian operation. Freeman acquired Info Salons in April 2018. Only the Australia office will be close – offices in other key markets in China, the Middle East, South East Asia and the U.S. will continue to operate.

Pico Thailand posts weak results

Bangkok, 10th September: Last week, Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, released its financial results for the quarter ended 31st July 2021. Revenues in the quarter were US$2.1 million, dropping 45% compared to the same quarter last year. The company recorded a loss of US$714,000, compared with a loss of US$421,000 in the same period of 2020.

The company attributed the weak results to government measures to limit the spread of the third wave of COVID-19 since early April 2021, resulting in the cancellation or postponement of most exhibitions and marketing events.

Quick takes

Comexposium Chairman positive on economic recovery

Sharing his thoughts online, Comexposium Chairman Renaud Hamaide expressed confidence in the return of physical trade shows, saying “They are one of the main recovery markers, being business boosters and the first places for networking.” With 100 events confirmed for this fall, Comexposium is putting its money where its mouth is!

MACEOS urges recategorisation of MICE events

The Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS) has declared that the country’s business events industry will collapse without targeted financial assistance. They further noted the National Recovery Plan does not support MICE events until Phase 4, and given that business events can takes months to plan, being able to reopen in Phase 3 could provide a timely lifeline to the industry.

Australia shares recovery plan for events and exhibitions industry

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has issued a roadmap to recovery which includes updated risk and safety operating frameworks, and indicates readiness to operate events at 70% and 80% vaccination rates. The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) will allow indoor physical events at one person per four square metres, although entertainment events are capped at 75% of the facility’s fixed seating capacity.

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)

TCEB and TICA form Asia Convention Alliance with Asian partners

Bangkok, 2nd September: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) have entered into agreements with three Asian convention bureaus – namely: Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) – in order to promote Asia’s convention industry and plan for the Asia Convention Alliance (ACA).

Under the ACA, all organisations will receive mutual benefits, strengthen bilateral partnerships, and cooperate and facilitate business development and knowledge exchange amongst members through collaborative projects.

HKECIA urges HKSAR Government to provide immediate assistance

Hong Kong, 6th September: The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) conducted a member survey, “Impact of Covid-19 to Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry 2021” in August, with results indicating that 45% of industry players may close down in the next 12 months. Due to the dire situation, the HKECIA urged the government to repurpose the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme and to provide a roadmap for relaxing compulsory quarantine requirements for qualified business travellers.

The Subsidy Scheme under the HKSAR Anti-epidemic Fund subsidises 100% of the venue rental for private organisers of exhibitions and international conventions held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) up till June 2022. Due to travel restrictions and compulsory quarantine requirements, organisers of international trade fairs and conferences were unable to recruit overseas exhibitors and buyers to participate in their events. With many organisers needing to cancel or postpone their events until 2022, a significant number of them will not be able to benefit from the existing Subsidy Scheme.

Netsun’s revenues jump 91% in the first half

Hangzhou, 31st August: Last week, Shenzhen-listed Zhejiang Netsun, a B2B e-commerce platform, released its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2021, reporting revenues of US$44 million during the period. This represents year-on-year growth of 91% compared with the same period last year.

However, profits during the six-month period dropped 14%, down to US$1.8 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first half of 2021 were RMB 0.05 (US$0.0077).

Thailand plans to fully reopen by January

Thailand, 7th September: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to reopen the country without mandatory quarantine requirements by January 2022, although the move hinges on obtaining high vaccination rates.

Bangkok was scheduled to reopen in October. However, as most residents will not receive their second vaccine dose until the end of October, the reopening schedule has been pushed back to November. The reopenings of Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chon Buri (Pattaya) will go ahead as planned on 1st October.

Quick takes

Global Sources Fall 2021 Show Series reopens in Hong Kong

Global Sources has announced that their Fall 2021 Show Series will be held at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) from 25th to 27th October. This edition will feature a new show structure, with traditional trade shows followed by private buyer and supplier interaction sessions, and show ambassador services.

Management changes at Constellar Holdings

Constellar Holdings’ Chief Executive of Venues, Mr Aloysius Arlando, will be stepping down on 30th September to pursue personal interests. The position will be filled by Mr Jean-Francois Quentin from October 1st onwards.

RISE Conference returns to Hong Kong for five consecutive years in 2022

From March 2022 onwards, Asia’s largest tech event RISE is set to become an annual Hong Kong event for the following five years. Announced by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Web Summit, the 2022 edition will be held from 14th to 17th March at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE).

SEEC down in revenues, but narrow loss

Hong Kong, 31st August: Earlier this week, SEEC Media Group, a Hong Kong-listed media company, announced its financial results for the first half of 2021. Revenue in the six-month period was US$4.7 million, a decrease of 2.5% year-on-year. However, the company reduced its loss from US$4.4 million in the first half of 2020 to US$2.7 million in the first half of 2021.

Around 42% of SEEC’s total revenue was generated from the provision of advertising services and sales of books & magazines, amounting to US$1.96 million. This segment was almost flat compared to the previous year. The next largest segment, provision of securities broking services, generated revenue of US$1.32 million and accounted for 28% of total revenue. This business segment grew 32% year-on-year.

The remaining revenue was generated by the money lending business (US$1.01 million), and the provision of e-commerce platforms servicers & sales of related goods (US$403,000).

HC Group reduces loss in first half

Hong Kong, 27th August: Last week, Hong Kong-listed HC Group released its interim results for the six months ended 30th June 2021. The company’s revenue grew 40% in the first half of the year, reaching US$1.09 billion. The company also reduced its loss from US$28 million in the first half of 2020, down to US$17 million in 2021.

The management attributed the increase in revenue to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many restrictions on factory production and business operations have been removed or reduced, leading to growth in the company’s orders and revenue.

Macau holds 147 MICE events in Q2

Macau, 26th August: Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has released its MICE statistics for the quarter ended 30th June 2021. Macau held a total of 147 MICE events in the quarter, which is 106 events more than the same quarter in 2020. The total number of participants and attendees jumped more than 13 times, reaching 318,000 participants and attendees.

In terms of event types, 128 meetings and conferences were held in Macau during the quarter, which is 89 more than the same period last year. The total number of participants grew almost 7 times, at 16,000 participants.

In the same period, 15 exhibitions were held – 13 more than the previous year. The number of attendees jumped more than 14 times to 301,000 attendees. The total gross area occupied by these exhibitions was 33,000 m2.

TCEB unveils MICE strategies

Bangkok, 26th August: Last week, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) held a virtual seminar, “Thai MICE for the Nation”, unveiling three strategies for MICE revival and development in 2022.

The three strategies are: 1) Strengthen national MICE: TCEB will help upgrade provinces with MICE development potential, create new events and uplift MICE activities to international quality; 2) Tap into global opportunities: Driving Thai MICE into the global arena, while gaining a competitive advantage in ASEAN through dynamic marketing campaigns such as “Meeting in Thailand Year”; 3) Upgrade the industry’s potential: Continuing collaboration between TCEB and MICE associations, as well as public sector strategic alliances to drive personnel development, venue standards and training course development.