UFI appoints new Events Operations Support

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Paris, 16th July: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the appointment of Nicole Lyashko as Events Operations Support.

Nicloe will be part of UFI’s Events team, supporting the planning and delivering of UFI’s international portfolio of events. She will contribute to the smooth organisation events by supporting coordination, administration and operational activities. She will also help ensure that each event provides participants with a valuable experience through strong organisation.

Nicole has an international background spanning the cultural, institutional and private sectors, with experience in events, communications and public relations.

Adeline Vancauwelaert, UFI COO, was quoted, “We are delighted to welcome Nicole to the UFI Events team, where she will report to Karen Cohen. Creating meaningful opportunities to connect and collaborate around the world is at the heart of all of our events, and Nicole’s energy and expertise will help us continue to deliver on that mission.”

Thailand to host IEEE ICRA 2030

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Thailand, 21st July: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB announced that Thailand has won the bid to host the 2030 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (IEEE ICRA 2030), the world’s leading conference on robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation.

This will be the first for IEEE ICRA to be held in Thailand, running from 13th to 17th June 2023, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok. The bid was jointly led by TCEB, the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Thailand Chapter, and IEEE Thailand Section, and the conference will be hosted by Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, IEEE RAS Thailand Chapter, IEEE Thailand Section and Thailand Medical Robotics and AI Association.

It is expected to welcome some 10,000 delegates to the conference, with 8,000 international participants. It is also aimed to become strategic platform for accelerating Thailand’s adoption of robotics and automation technologies, attracting investment in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

Miss Jittanun Techasarin, Director of Conventions Department of TCEB, said, “As global economic competition increasingly revolves around innovation and new value creation, Thailand must leverage international business events as catalysts for investment, technology transfer, and industrial development. Aligned with the government’s national agenda to promote future industries, TCEB is committed to attracting events that serve as Strategic Economic Platforms – events capable of generating collaboration, trade, investment, and innovation in high-growth sectors. IEEE ICRA 2030 exemplifies this vision by bringing together the world’s leading researchers, innovators, technology developers, investors, and industry leaders in robotics and automation.”

Messe Muenchen India expands Mumbai Office

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Mumbai, 22nd July: Indian subsidiary of international exhibition organiser, Messe München, Messe Muenchen India, expanded its corporate office in Mumbai, reflecting its growth and rising influence in the trade fair industry.

Messe Muenchen India originally targeted a five-year workspace solution; however, the company completed the target in just two years. The India business has more than double since 2023, with revenue growing by over 100% in three years. While exhibition space is projected to expand by more than 70% between 2023 and 2026. Today, the company has a portfolio of 28 trade fairs in India covering electronics, construction and infrastructure, environmental technologies, transport and logistics, laboratory technology, agriculture, laser and photonics, and energy.

According to Messe Muenchen India, the expansion will provide strengthened infrastructure and workplace capabilities to support the teams in delivering greater value to exhibitors, visitors, partners and stakeholders.

BESarawak names new CEO

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Sarawak, 9th July: Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has appointed Jason Tan Chin Foo as its Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect.

Joined in 2012, Jason has served BESarawak for over 10 years in various leadership capacities, and he will lead the organisation into the next phase of growth with a vision to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a globally competitive business events destination through purposeful collaboration, innovation and legacy-driven development.

Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and Chairman of BESarawak, Datu Hii Chang Kee, commented, “Jason has consistently demonstrated strategic leadership and a strong commitment to advancing Sarawak’s business events industry. The Board has every confidence that he will build on BESarawak’s strong foundations and achievements, further strengthen the organisation and the wider business events ecosystem, and lead the industry towards an even more impactful and globally competitive future for Sarawak.”

Quick takes

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Hong Kong to host LEAP East in 2027-2029

LEAP East, a leading technology exhibition in the Middle East, launched its Asian edition in Hong Kong, running from 8th to 10th July 2026, with more than 25,000 participants. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced to partner with the organiser to secure Hong Kong as the exclusive Asian host city of the event from 2027 to 2029.

Macau welcomes 20m+ visitor arrivals in first half

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released its number of visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, increased by 9% year-on-year, reaching 20,944,446. Same-day visitors rose by 15%, amounting at 12,889,844, while overnight visitors (8,054,602) increased by 0.2% year-on-year. However, the average length of stay of visitors shortened by 0.1 day from the same period last year, down to 1.0 day.

Hyve acquires market-leading brands in Europe

Hyve Group announced the acquisition of RASIE Summit, MACHINA Summit and Signal Week (formerly Paris Blockchain Week). Hyve will establish a new AI SuperVertical, to strengthen the fintech portfolio through specialist crypto and blockchain expertise alongside Fintech Meetup.

26m+ visitors to Hong Kong in first half

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced its visitor arrivals figures for June to be 3.72 million, a year-on-year increase of 7%. In the first half of 2026, Hong Kong welcomed 26.71 million visitors, a 13% growth from the first half of 2025. Arrivals from the Chinese Mainland increased by 16%, amounting at 20.56 million, while long-haul markets posted a year-on-year growth of 20% in the first half.