Quick takes

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.

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 2025)

SECB and JETRO partner to grow business events

Singapore/Osaka, 20th June: The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) and JETRO Singapore have signed a three-year Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for business events growth and new gateway for economic collaboration between Singapore and Japan.

Under the partnership, Singapore will strengthen its position as the World’s Best MICE City and trade relations between the two countries as well. Singapore continues to build its MICE events across various industries. Together with Singapore’s key attributes of innovation, trust and safety, and JETRO’s deep connections to Japanese industry leaders, the partnership will create synergies and new opportunities for business growth across the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan’s growing and diverse economy as well as Singapore’s strengths as a premier destination for business events will enable MICE events and delegates that convene in Singapore to expand their international outreach and foster meaningful collaborations.

Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, SECB, said, “As a Global-Asia node for business, Singapore is home to a vibrant business community and a gateway to Asia Pacific, with unrivalled access to new markets. This first-of-its-kind collaboration with JETRO marks a major milestone in leveraging partnerships to accelerate MICE growth. We look forward to strengthening the MICE ecosystems in both Singapore and Japan, and the opportunities this will bring.”

Indonesia to host 3 large-scale exhibitions under one roof

Indonesia, 17th June: Indonesia will conduct three exhibitions for the furniture, woodworking and hardware industries under one roof: interzum jakarta (Trade Fair for Furniture Production and Interior Design), International Hardware Fair Indonesia, IFMAC & WOODMAC (International Furniture Manufacturing Components Exhibition & International Woodworking Machinery Exhibition).

The exhibition, jointly organised by Koelnmesse, Amara Group, and WAKENKI, will be held at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo Kemayoran), running from 24th to 27th September 2025. It will present an integrated platform to connect the entire industrial value chain, from raw materials and components to the latest design solutions and manufacturing technologies.

Stephanie Sim, Regional Division Director, Koelnmesse Pte Ltd, was quoted, “The concept is simple but powerful: one ticket, three trade fairs, a complete sourcing and networking experience. Whether you’re a buyer, a manufacturer, a designer or a supplier, this 3-in-1 format is designed to bring more value, more opportunities, and more efficiency – all under one roof. With strong support from global players, industry associations, and curated programs… we believe this event will accelerate cross-sector collaboration and bring real value to all participants. Indonesia is in a strategic position today, and we are proud to be part of this growth momentum.”

Garment Technology Expo partners with IEML

India, 25th June: India Exposition Mart Ltd. (IEML) and Garment Technology Expo Pvt. Ltd. (GTE) announced a strategic partnership to develop GTE, a leading garment technology exhibition in India.

Under the alliance, GTE will be positioned as a technologically advanced show, showcasing garment machinery and advanced manufacturing technology. It is expected to expand GTE’s scale, reach, and impact across India and beyond, under the IEML’s infrastructure and pan-India presence.

Mr. Inderjit S. Sahni, Founder & Chairman of GTE, stated, “For over 25 years, GTE has grown across Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. We are excited to partner with India Exposition Mart Limited to strengthen GTE. This strategic partnership marks a promising new chapter, and we look forward to even larger, more impactful events ahead.”

The upcoming GTE will run from 7th to 9th November 2025, at Ahmedabad, followed by the Greater Noida edition to be held at India Expo Centre and Mart, running from 20th to 23rd March 2026, and the Bengaluru edition to be held in September 2026.

ProPak Asia 2026 to relocate to IMPACT

Bangkok, 24th June: International exhibition organiser, Informa Markets, announced to relocate its ProPak Asia 2026 to the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani.

ProPak Asia 2025 was held at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) and featured over 2,000 exhibiting brands from 42 countries, occupying some 55,000 m2 of exhibition space. More than 72,000 visitors worldwide attended the show, generating over Baht 5.5 billion (US$169 million) in trade value.

After relocation, IMPACT will provide enhanced accessibility and is conveniently located near airports and key industrial zones. This will allow ProPak Asia to become a global hub for the manufacturing, processing, and packaging industries.

ProPak Asia 2026 will run from 10th to 13th June 2026.

Quick takes

UFI announces winners of its awards in 2025

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the winners of the 2025 UFI Industry Partners Award and the 2025 UFI Sustainable Development Award. Kuehne+Nagel wins the 2025 UFI Industry Partners Award, with the theme of “Partnering in Customer Driven Innovation”. While RX Global wins the 2025 UFI Sustainable Development Award, under the topic of “Best Inclusion Initiative”. The winners will be officially celebrated and present their projects at the 92nd UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong SAR, from 19th to 22nd November 2025.

3m+ visitors to Macau in May 2025

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released its latest statistics of visitor arrivals for May 2025, welcoming a total of 3,372,081 visitors, up 25% year-on-year. Same-day visitors (1,992,296) jumped 39%, while overnight visitors (1,379,785) increased by 9.4%. However, the average length of stay of visitors decreased by 0.1 day, down to 1.1 days.

Deutsche Messe hosts 70 shows in 2024

International exhibition organiser, Deutsche Messe, released its financial results for the fiscal year 2024, with consolidated revenue was €304 million (US$316 million), with a profit of €18 million (US$19 million). In 2024, the company organised about 70 trade fairs worldwide, featuring over 30,000 exhibiting companies and more than 3 million visitors. In the future, the company will grow its business by developing innovative trade fair formats and expanding into new domestic and international markets.

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 2025)

Informa’s revenues up 9.3% in first 5 months

London, 16th June: Informa PLC, the international Live B2B Events, B2B Digital Services and Academic Markets Group, announced its latest trading update, reporting its underlying revenue growth in the first five months of 2025 to be 9.3%.

In terms of business segments, B2B Live Events (Informa Markets, Informa Connect, Informa Festivals) posted an increase of 8.3%, and Academic Markets grew 14%.

The company announced “2025-2028 One Informa”, which is a four-year programme to maximise Informa’s B2B growth platform progressing to plan, developing market-leading capabilities in Customer Experience, Data-led Marketing, Brands and the AI Time Dividend.

Informa updated reported revenues in 2025 at £4 billion (US$5.4 billion), with its 2025 Group underlying revenue growth guidance to over 5% reaffirmed, with B2B Events at over 7%.

Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa, said, “The commercial power of our Live B2B Event Brands and Academic Market Services is driving further strong growth for Informa. The Informa Growth Platform is built on leading specialist Brands, market categories in structural growth, International reach into growth economies, first party data and world class industry talent.”

Pico Thailand posts loss in Q2

Bangkok, 13th June: Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, has released its results for the quarter ended 30th April 2025. Revenues in the quarter were US$7.03 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 9.6%. The company posted a net loss of US$887,000 in the reported period, compared with a net profit of US$12,000 in the same quarter last year.

The company attributed the decrease in revenues to the majority of the project were completed in the previous year. The expenses in selling and administrative increased as expected credit loss from account receivable increased, in the result of the loss the reported period.

Pico Thailand also reported its results for the six months ended 30th April. Revenues in the period amounted to US$16 million, which dropped by 1.9% year-on-year. In the six-month period, the company posted a net loss of US$647,000 compared with a net profit of US$102,000 recorded in the first half of the last financial year.

10,000+ visitors at Gartex Texprocess India in Mumbai

India, 16th June: Organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, Gartex Texprocess India (Mumbai) 2025, drew 10,293 visitors from 230 Indian cities and five countries.

Running from 22nd to 24th May 2025, at JIO World Convention Centre (JWCC), Mumbai, the event incorporated Denim Show, Screen Print India – Textiles, and the Fabrics & Trims Show, a total 125 exhibitors were showcased at the event, covering the entire value chain to offer industry stakeholders a unified source for knowledge exchange and business networking.

The next edition of Gartex Texprocess India will be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, running from 21st to 23rd August 2025, while the next Mumbai edition is scheduled to run from 9th to 11th April 2026, at Bombay Exhibition Centre.

Quick takes

IEG wins 2025 UFI Digital Innovation Award

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the winner of the 2025 UFI Digital Innovation Award to be Italian Exhibition Group (IEG). IEG won with its “All-in-one ecosystem” entry. The 2025 UFI Award winners will be officially celebrated and will present their projects at the 92nd UFI Global Congress, running from 19th to 22nd November 2025 in Hong Kong SAR.

Hong Kong expects 3% export growth in 2025

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) confirmed its export growth for this year to be 3%. The figure is navigating a period of almost unprecedented turbulence in the global trade arena, due to the radical shift in the U.S. trade policy. To anticipate the hefty tariff regime, many of Hong Kong’s exporters opted to “frontload” their orders in the early months of the year.

BCEC celebrates 30 years of anniversary

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) celebrated its 30 years of anniversary. Managed by ASM Global, the venue has delivered 26,082 events for Brisbane, generating A$6.26 billion (US$4.1 billion) in economic benefit for Queensland, and welcomed 21.6 million guests since its opening in 1995.

BBTF 2025 promotes Indonesia

Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2025 opened with the theme of “Indonesia: Preserving Green Nature and Cultural Heritage for the World”. A total of 529 buyers from 45 countries attended the event to meet 499 seller companies from seven nations and 11 Indonesian provinces, occupying 284 booths. New elements at this year included the Pavilion Podcast Series and the Knowledge Sharing Sessions.

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 2025)

GED 2025 themed “Exhibitions Unleash Potential”

Paris, 6th June: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry hosted its 10th edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) on 4th June 2025, with the theme of “Exhibitions Unleash Potential”. This year, GED showcased how exhibitions empower individuals, elevate organisations, and drive economic and social growth through direct in-person interactions and connections.

Four key messages were highlighted at GED 2025: exhibitions drive progress in industries by fostering collaboration and innovation; empower individuals by supporting the growth of both emerging and established talent; advance communities by fuelling economic development and societal progress; and strengthen companies by amplifying brand presence, building networks, and boosting revenue through face-to-face engagement. Over 75 national and international industry associations supported this year’s GED.

Hugh Jones, UFI President and CEO of RX, said, “Global Exhibitions Day is a powerful demonstration of the exhibition industry’s unity and impact. Around the world, our community came together to showcase how exhibitions connect people, ignite innovation, and drive growth across industries, communities, and economies. The day reaffirmed that face-to-face events remain essential platforms for building a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future.”

GED 2026 will be held on the first Wednesday of June: 3rd June 2026.

Informa Markets partners with HIMSS APAC

Kuala Lumpur, 6th June: HIMSS – The Healthcare Information and Management System Society will host events in three continents for health and technology leaders from over 70 countries and regions.

HIMSS European Health Conference & Exhibition will be held from 10th to 12th June 2025 in Paris. Followed by 2025 HIMSS APAC Health Conference & Exhibition (HIMSS25 APAC) to be held in July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, and 2026 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas will run in March 2026.

HIMSS25 APAC will partner with Informa Markets to co-locate the APAC conference within International Healthcare Week 2025. The event will take place at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), running from 16th to 18th July 2025, strengthening collaboration across health ministries, private sector leaders, clinicians and technology partners.

HIMSS, serving as a global health technology advisor and though leader dedicated to improving health through information and technology, supports health professionals and organisations through education, professional development, networking, and digital maturity assessment tools and advisory services that help transform the global health ecosystem.

LEAP to launch LEAP East

Hong Kong, 3rd June: Riyadh-based Tahaluf, a joint venture with global event organiser Informa, will expand its LEAP, the leading technology event in Saudi Arabia, in Hong Kong, by launching LEAP East, the Asia-Pacific edition of LEAP, running from 8th to 10th July 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

This is the first time for LEAP to expand beyond Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia focuses on collaboration with Asia, Hong Kong’s mature market, robust financial system, strong exhibition infrastructure, and unique “One Country, Two Systems” framework, in the results to host the LEAP East.

The event will feature over 300 exhibitors spanning AI, fintech, healthtech, deeptech, and over 200 world class speakers, targeting to attract more than 25,000 visitors from across Asia-Pacific and beyond.

ewpartners, the leading global investment firm focusing on bringing Asia and the Middle East market, is the exclusive strategic partner for LEAP East.

Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President at Tahaluf, commented, “LEAP was created in Riyadh to position Saudi Arabia as a global innovation hub. After four record-breaking editions, we’re taking our next bold step, bringing LEAP to Hong Kong. This city is not only a gateway to Asia, but a proven launchpad for global ambitions. Through our partnership with ewpartners, we’re proud to build a platform that unites Saudi and Asian-Pacific innovators on one world stage.”

Quick takes

Record numbers at UFI European Events Week

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, concluded its UFI European Events Week, brining a record number of delegates to Thessaloniki, Greece. Hosted by TIF-HELEXPO, the event ran from 3rd to 7th June 2025, gathering some 400 industry leaders from 37 countries and regions for learning, networking, and memorable experiences.

Hong Kong hosts ISSCR for the first time

The world’s largest international convention in stem cell research and regenerative medicine, The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting was held in Hong Kong for the first time. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) partnered with Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors from three local universities: The University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The convention featured more than 2,400 top-tier researchers and experts in stem cell research and regenerative medicine from 58 countries and regions.

ABEA appoints Angie Becker to the Board

Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) appointed Angie Becker to join the Board effective immediately. Angie, from Victorian Convention and Event Trust, serves as Chief Sales and Customer Experience Officer overseeing Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. She brings experience in hotels, hospitality and events for over two decades to take up the venue representative position, replacing Samantha Glass.

100,000+ professional visitors at SCIIF 2025

South China International Industry Fair 2025 (SCIIF), co-branded by HANNOVER MESSE and China International Industry Fair (CIIF), concluded with the theme of “Sharing an Intelligent Future Led by Industry”. Running from 4th to 6th June 2025, at Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center, the fair covered over 100,000 m2 of exhibition area across five halls, welcoming a total of 107,222 professional visitors. More than 1,200 exhibitors presented major advancements in scale, lineup, and influence, establishing a comprehensive display system spanning from core components to end-product manufacturing.

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 2025)

Messe Frankfurt partners to co-organise Notes Shanghai

Shanghai, 29th May: International exhibition organiser, Messe Frankfurt, announced a strategic partnership between Messe Frankfurt (Shenzhen) Co Ltd. and Notes Shanghai Exhibition Co Ltd, to co-organise Notes Shanghai, a leading trade fair dedicated to China’s niche fragrance sector.

The partnership will enhance Messe Frankfurt’s global trade fair expertise and prestigious Beautyworld network, and also Notes Shanghai’s in-depth industry knowledge and local connections. Under the partnership, it is targeted to enhance the event’s international influence, foster new business opportunities, and support the rapid growth of China’s fragrance industry.

The event is scheduled to run from 16th to 19th October 2025, at the West Bund International Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai. The event will feature over 200 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions, occupying 5,000 m2 of exhibition space, showcasing the unique scent philosophies. It is expected to attract over 16,000 visitors and professional buyers, including perfume and cosmetics retailers, department stores, distributors, agents, e-commerce platforms, social media influencers, and fragrance enthusiasts.

Mr Edward Che, General Manager at Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, commented, “This partnership represents an exciting milestone for us, marking Messe Frankfurt’s first trade fair dedicated to the fragrance and beauty sector in China. By harnessing our comprehensive industry resources and market knowledge through our consumer goods and beauty network, we aim to fulfil the needs of both industry players and consumers. With our global expertise, we aspire to attract more international brands, fostering industry innovation, amplifying the event's worldwide appeal, and provide a premium platform that connects exhibitors with brands and fragrance lovers.”

Hong Kong hosts 121 exhibitions in 2024

Hong Kong, 4th June: The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKCEIA) highlighted the exhibitions and trade show businesses in Hong Kong are facing labour shortage and global tensions.

According to HKECIA, Hong Kong hosted 121 large-scale exhibitions in 2024, including 80 trade or trade-consumer events, which is an increase of 9.6% from 2023. The total number of exhibitors was nearly 52,000, up 13.9%; while visitor numbers grew by 4.5%, to over 1.46 million.

Chairman Stuart Bailey, highlighted, “Despite the progress made, challenges remain. Exhibitor space rentals declined by 6.8% as companies scaled back spending due to global economic uncertainty. While the total number of exhibitions has nearly recovered to pre-Covid levels, exhibitor and visitor participation lags behind 2019 figures by 25.1% and 21.3%, respectively. Nonetheless, there are encouraging signs. Visitor numbers from mainland China rose by 21% year-on-year, even surpassing 2019 levels. This growth was fuelled by the excellent transport infrastructure within the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong’s enduring attractiveness to mainland businesses.”