Clarion Events “merges” with Global Sources

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London, 1st February: London-based Clarion Events, a leading global events organiser, has recently completed a “merger” with Global Sources, a Hong Kong-based exhibition organiser and B2B online marketplace operator. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Funds managed by Blackstone, a private equity group, will control the combined group.

 

After the merger, the combined group will be a global player in the B2B events industry organising some 200 events annually across Asia, Europe and North America, and generating revenues of more than US$370 million.

Exhibition industry expects growth in 2018 according to UFI

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Paris, 30th January: Earlier this week, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released its latest biannual, Global Barometer Survey, reflecting the state of global trade show industry. The survey revealed that the majority of survey participants anticipate growth in 2018.

 

More than 70% of companies in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific recorded an increase of their revenues in the second half of 2017, while slightly more than half of companies in the Middle East – Africa region reported growth. Looking ahead to 2018, about 80% of companies in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific remain optimistic about growth this year. South Africa was the only weak spot with just 25% expecting growth.

MIFF 2018 expands to 100,000 sqm

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Kuala Lumpur, 26th January: The upcoming edition of the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2018 is expected to expand by 25% reaching 100,000 m2. Running from 8th to 11th March, MIFF will be held at two venues – the newly opened Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

 

Organised by UBM, MIFF 2018 will feature greater international participation, about one-third of the 600 exhibitors will be international – including companies from mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, U.S., Turkey, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sabah to develop business events segment

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Sabah, 30th January: The Sabah Convention Bureau, which was just established in January 2018, will focus on attracting new events to that region, according to its management.

 

Sabah is the third Malaysian state to establish its own convention bureau, after Sarawak and Penang. The Sabah Convention Bureau is headed by Gordon Yapp, who previously general manager of Sabah Tourism Board. Yapp reports to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah. Yapp stated that his first task is to build a strong team, prepare the bureau to generate leads, and develop marketing collateral.

IMPACT confident of reaching revenue target

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Bangkok, 1st February: Thailand’s largest exhibition venue, the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, reported the venue would reach its revenue target of 2.7 billion baht (US$86 million) by the end of its financial year in March 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2017, IMPACT hosted 164 events, a 55% year-on-year increase.

 

Paul Kanjanapas, managing director of IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, stated, “The upsurge in clients’ catering service requirements escalated rapidly due to the increasing demand for parties in companies and individuals, particularly from November 2017 to February 2018.”

HKTDC launches Marketplace App

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Hong Kong, 1st February: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) officially launched the first phase of its Marketplace App at four consumer fairs last month. The rollout will take place in three phases. This follows a soft launch in November last year.

 

The HKTDC Marketplace App includes an e-Badge feature, which was reportedly well received and will be introduced at most of the HKTDC’s trade fairs this year. Other features in the new app include: HKTDC product magazines and supplements, the HKTDC Online Marketplace and hktdc.com’s “Small Orders.”

Philippines announced details of MICE Roadmap

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Philippines, 23rd January: This week, the Philippines released further details regarding its MICE Roadmap designed to attract more business events to the country. Some of the new measures include reducing the cost of organising business events as well as addressing a variety of other issues that hamper the development of the local business events industry.

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Pico Far East’s revenues down 4% in 2017

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Hong Kong, 24th January: Hong Kong-listed Pico Far East announced its annual results, for the year ended 31st October 2017. The company reported total revenues of US$510 million, down by 4% year-on-year. The company attributed the decline to the end of two non-recurring mega projects in the previous year. The company’s net profit fell 6.3% during the year, down to US$36 million. Diluted earnings per share for the year were HK$0.2286 (US$0.029).

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Informa acquires UBM for US$5.2 billion

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London, 17th January: Earlier this week, London-listed UBM plc and Informa plc, announced that they were engaged in serious acquisition discussions. Within 24 hours, it was announced that Informa would acquire UBM in a US$5.2 billion deal. The deal is still pending approval from the two boards and relevant regulators. Together, the two companies will become the world’s largest exhibition organiser with a global market share of approximately 6%.

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