Singapore’s Branded Events acquired by Dentsu

Tokyo, 2nd October: London-based Dentsu Aegis Network Limited announced this week that the company has reached an agreement to acquire a 69% stake in Branded Ltd. Dentsu has an option of making it a wholly owned subsidiary in the future. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Branded, established in 2002, has offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, which is a leading producer of live media events in the Asia Pacific. The company organises events to connect businesses, brands, celebrities and fans. The team of media experts specializes in the conceptualization, programing, organisation, and production of dynamic conferences, live music festivals, educational academies and fans events. In 2017, the company generated revenues of HK$15.8 million (US$2 million).

IEG purchases organiser in Western China

Chengdu, 28th September: Last week, the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) signed an agreement with Chengdu ZhongLian Exhibition Company, the organiser of the Chengdu Environmental Protection Expo (CDEPE). Under the terms of the deal, IEG will acquire a 60% stake in CDEPE. The value of the deal was not announced.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will develop events focused on sectors including green technology and environmental protection services in Western China.

Messe Frankfurt enters into new strategic alliances in India

India, 26th September: The Indian subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Limited, has entered into a strategic alliance with the exhibition division, officially named Gifts & Accessories, of Netlink Solutions (India) Limited, organiser of Stationery & Write Show, Corporate Gifts Show and Houseware & Kitchenware Show.

The Stationery & Write Show is positioned as India’s largest exhibition serving the stationery and writing instruments market. Future editions of this event will be renamed the “Stationery & Write Show presented by Paperworld.” The Corporate Gifts Show will be held concurrently.

9,000+ booths at Global Sources’ autumn trade shows

Hong Kong, 27th September: Global Sources will host its 2018 autumn series of trade shows later in October at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) featuring more than 9,000 booths.

Global Sources’ flagship show, Global Sources Electronics, will be held in two phases, Consumer Electronics and Mobile Electronics. Consumer Electronics, running from 11th to 14th October, will feature 3,800 booths. The second phase, Mobile Electronics, showcasing 3,700 booths, will run from 18th to 21st October.

A new event, Global Sources Lifestyle, will be co-located with Global Sources Fashion running from 27th to 30th October. Global Sources Lifestyle will target buyers sourcing new and creative gifts, premiums and home products from China and across Asia. As usual, Global Sources Fashion will cover a wide range of fashion products including apparel, fashion jewellery, underwear and swimwear, bags and luggage, scarves, footwear and fabrics.

UBM to launch ProPak Philippines in 2019

Philippines, 3rd October: International exhibition organiser, UBM plc, will expand its ProPak portfolio to Philippines next year. ProPak Philippines will run from 24th to 26th January 2019 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

With ProPak Philippines, UBM will aim to bring leading visitors and exhibitors from the processing and packaging industries. It will also connect leading international and local suppliers to local and regional buyers in the Philippines. The organiser expects that more than 180 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at the new show – including international pavilions from China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan and the U.K. It is expected to attract over 6,000 trade industry visitors.

ITE releases trading update with revenues over US$220m

London, 3rd October: London-listed ITE Group plc, has published its trading update for the year ended 30th September 2018. Revenues for the financial year are expected to be £175 million (US$228 million).

According to the company, it continues to make progress on its “Transformation and Growth” (TAG) programme. As part of this programme and in an effort to re-align its events portfolio, ITE has sold 56 non-core Russian events and two Malaysian events.

In India, ITE expects growth in its largest, leading shows in 2020 primarily due to the completion of a new exhibition hall which is scheduled in April 2019. The new hall will be part of the existing Pragati Maidan venue in Delhi and it will add 100,000 m2 of exhibition space.

Airport Authority Hong Kong increases stake in AWE

Hong Kong, 24th September: Earlier this week, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) announced it acquired the rights and equity in AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) held by IEC Investments Limited, as well as the ownership of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited, for HK$900 million (US$115 million). This deal reduces the shareholders of AWE to just two – the Hong Kong Government and AA.

At the same time, AsiaWorld-Expo CEO, Allen Ha left the organisation. He was immediately replaced with Irene Chan who was previously with the Airport Authority.  Ha had been in the role of CEO for 11 years. Chan has been with the AA since 2007. Most recently, she has held roles focused on retail management.

Mega Expo records profit in FY2018

Hong Kong, 21st September: Last week, Mega Expo (formerly known as Kenfair), a Hong Kong-based exhibition and event organiser, announced its financial results for the year ended 30th June 2018. The company reported total revenues of US$32 million, representing a huge increase of 147% compared with the previous year. The company posted a net profit of US$12 million, compared with a loss of US$5.03 million in 2017.

Mega Expo attributed the increase in revenues to strong results from key business segments and its strategy in China. Mega Expo’s largest business sector, “organising exhibitions, events planning and related services” generated revenues of US$13 million and accounted for more than 40% of total revenues. This represents a year-on-year growth of 2.8%.

TCEB launches new brand campaign

Thailand, 20th September: Earlier this month, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched a new branding campaign, “Thailand: Redefine Your Business Events,” aiming to meet the demands of business travellers with a focus on corporate events.

As part of the campaign, there is an initiative to implement strategic plans that will enhance the recognition of Thailand’s MICE industry as well as grow its revenues. The Thai government will offer subsidies for new shows as well as packages designed to boost the size of Thailand’s exhibitions and visitor numbers.

500+ companies at IE expo Guangzhou 2018

Guangzhou, 20th September: This week, the IE expo Guangzhou 2018 posted a 20% increase in terms of exhibiting companies. A total of 505 companies from 15 countries participated in the show. It attracted over 26,000 trade visitors which is a 7% increase compared to last year.

Running from 18th to 20th September 2018 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, the event occupied an exhibition space of 31,000 m2. The exhibition covered a wide range of environmental industry categories including those related to water, waste, air and soil.

Energy Storage China 2018 concludes Tangshan

Tangshan, 21st September: Recently, the Energy Storage China (ESC) 2018 concluded at the Tangshan Southlake Convention and Exhibition Center. The event featured more than 200 industry experts.

Organised by the Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Company, the two-day event was held from 19th to 20th September. Some 30 speakers from various energy categories shared their views on cutting-edge technologies as well as key trends in the global energy storage market.

IBTM China attracts 3,400 visitors

Beijing, 17th September: Organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, IBTM China 2018 was held at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing from 12th to 13th September 2018. It attracted 3,400 visitors to the show.

More than 300 exhibitors from 20 countries attended the two-day show, which included meetings, networking opportunities and educational sessions. One of the most attended sessions was the Knowledge Programme covering topics across ten key areas including: advances in Chinese tech innovation, a study of the associations market in China and an overview on how to sell incentive travel to business leaders in China.