HKTB signs MoU with Informa Markets

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Hong Kong, 27th May: The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Informa Markets, a leading global trade exhibition organiser, to establish a strategic partnership to jointly bring international exhibition IPs to Hong Kong.

Under the MoU, the HKTB and Informa Markets will target to position Hong Kong as the host city of The Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC) from 2026 to 2028, developing the event into an annual flagship MICE event and progressively expanding its scale and international reach. The event will also adopt the “city-as-your-showroom” concept, extending beyond a single venue to span multiple landmarks and signature locations across Hong Kong. It will cover sectors including supercars, yachts, haute jewellery and horology, premium travel, masterpieces of art, iconic luxury properties, private aviation, fine dining and rare spirits, as well as wellness services and products.

In addition, the HKTB plans to participate in five of Informa Markets’ international exhibitions in collaboration with TFOC, to further promote Hong Kong’s strengths in MICE tourism to global audiences.

Dr. Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, said, “This partnership is of great significance. It not only elevates Hong Kong’s position as a premier global destination for high-end MICE tourism, but also affirms the city’s vital role as a ‘super-connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’ between the Chinese Mainland and the world. At the same time, the collaboration drives the development of Hong Kong’s high-end tourism market and helps attract more international brands and high-value visitors to the city. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tourism Commission, our trade partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support as we work hand in hand to advance Hong Kong’s journey as the World’s Meeting Place.”

Thailand launches new brand

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Thailand, 21st May: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched a new MICE brand, “MaxiMICE Thailand – From Potential to Exponential”, to reinforce the country’s position as a premium destination for business events and for advancing global agendas.

The new brand will transform events into exponential opportunities, generating lasting value and meaningful impact for industry players.

The new brand consists of three strategic pillars: MaxiMICE Your Convenience, MaxiMICE Your Experience, and MaxiMICE Your Impact. MaxiMICE Thailand will reflect Thailand’s capabilities, leveraging the country’s strengths in infrastructure, creativity, and support network, to create more impactful business events.

Dr. Supawan Teerarat, President of the TCEB, was quoted, “Today’s business events are no longer measured solely by attendance numbers, but by the quality of connections, outcomes, and long-term impact they create. As the world faces increasingly multidimensional challenges, business events must serve as platforms for collaboration, collective solutions, and actionable progress. Our study identified the key factors shaping successful meeting destinations today. The results highlighted Thailand’s operational reliability, strong business impact, and ability to deliver beyond memorable experiences. This inspired the development of our new brand, built around three strategic pillars.”

Messe München appoints new CEO in Asia

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Singapore, 26th May: The subsidiary of Messe München in Southeast Asia, MMI Asia, announced the appointment of Nino Gruettke as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st June 2026.

Gruettke has more than 21 years of experience in the international trade show and events industry, including senior leadership and management roles. He will succeed Michael Wilton, who joined Messe München in 2020 and has decided to step down from his position for personal reasons.

Stefan Rummel and Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer the two CEOs of Messe München, stated, “We very much look forward to working with Nino Gruettke. He has a deep understanding of the trade show and events market especially in Southeast Asia. Given his entrepreneurial track record in developing larger organizations and with his modern leadership style, we want to initiate the next phase of growth for our Southeast Asian business.”

VNU AP welcomes new CEO

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Thailand, 27th May: VNU Asia Pacific (VNU AP) has appointed new Chief Executive Officer Bangkok, Thailand – VNU AP, Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, effective in June 2026.

Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, a Thai business executive and government official in the MICE sector, will bring his over 20 years of leadership experience in the exhibition industry across Asia. Prior to joining VNU AP, he has served as Director of the Exhibitions Department at the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and he has also held senior roles in the private sector.

The appointment is part of VNU AP’s ongoing efforts to align its leadership with the company’s evolving strategies and long-term goals, and reflects the commitment to growth and expansion.

Mr. Jeroen van Hooff, President & CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of VNU AP, said, “Mr. Yuaikwarmdee brings extensive expertise in exhibition and trade show management, as well as strong capabilities in sales, marketing, and business development across Southeast Asia and China. His experience and vision will be instrumental in guiding VNU AP through this transition and into its next phase of growth. Personally, I have long recognized and respected him as a trusted partner and a valued contributor to the international exhibition community.”

Quick takes

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Macau welcomes 3m+ visitor arrivals in April

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) reported a total of 3,441,396 visitor arrivals were recorded in April 2026, an increase of 11.3% year-on-year. Same-day visitors grew 19.4% over April 2025, reaching 2,095,953 visitor arrivals, while overnight visitors were up moderately by 0.6%, amounting at 1,345,443. However, the average length of stay of visitors shortened by 0.1 day, down to 1.0 day.

Messe München expands automatica to Shanghai in 2027

International exhibition organiser, Messe München, will expand its automatica, robotics and automation technology event, to Shanghai in 2027. automatica Shanghai 2027 will be organised by Messe Muenchen Shanghai Co., Ltd. in partnership with VDMA Shanghai Representative Office and CRIA, running from 8th to 10th March 2027, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). The new event will offer leading-edge technologies and forward-looking industry insights to industrial partners in China and across Asia, by showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative achievements.

SIAL Shanghai expands to Guangzhou this September

Organised by Comexposium, SIAL Shanghai, food and beverage trade fair in Asia, concluded on 20th May 2026, featuring over 5,000 brands from 75 countries and regions, showcasing more than 350,000 exhibits. A total of 183,302 professionals from 132 countries and regions attended the event. Meanwhile, Comexposium announced to expand SIAL to Greater Bay Area. SIAL Guangzhou will take place at the Poly World Trade Center Expo, from 3rd to 5th September 2026.

Global Sources concludes April Show

Global Sources’ April 2026 Hong Kong Shows concluded its three phases of exhibitions, attracting over 130,000 visitor entries from professional buyers representing 180 countries and regions to AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). The April series consisted of eight sourcing categories: Consumer Electronics, Gaming, Electronics Components, Mobile Electronics, Smart Home, Security & Home Appliances, Home & Kitchen, Lifestyle, and Sports & Outdoor. Some 4,500 Asian suppliers showcased at more than 8,500 booths with over 340,000 trending new products. The next edition of the Global Sources Hong Kong Show will be held in October 2026 in two phases.