Informa’s releases positive trading update

London, 9th November: London-listed Informa plc released its trading update for the 10 months ending 31st October 2018. The group posted underlying revenue growth of 3.9% in the period.

The UBM businesses performed well in the same period. Overall, revenue growth in the period was 2.3%. The events business grew by 3.4%. Strong performances were recorded from the following segments: Pharma (CPhI Worldwide), Technology (Black Hat) and Lifestyle & Brands (Furniture China).

BOL’s profits up 142% in Q3

Bangkok, 8th November: Last week, Business Online (BOL), a leading online information service provider in Thailand, announced its financial results for the quarter ended 30th September 2018. Revenues in the third quarter were US$4.05 million, representing strong growth of 25% compared to the same quarter last year. Net profit in the quarter jumped 142%, reaching US$1.2 million.

More than 90% of BOL’s revenues were generated from its core information services – US$3.7 million. This represents a year-on-year increase of 25%. The company attributed the increase in revenues to its information services and to several special projects. Meanwhile, expenses in the quarter increased by 2.1%.

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 2018)

Deutsche Messe to acquire LaserFair Shenzhen

Hannover/Shanghai/Shenzhen, 2nd November: This week, Deutsche Messe announced a deal to purchase a majority stake in LaserFair based in Shenzhen. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Launched in 2007, LaserFair’s management maintains it is the largest laser exhibition in southern China. The event focuses on key segment including laser processing, laser applications, and intelligent manufacturing. After the acquisition, the show will be directly managed by Deutsche Messe’s Chinese subsidiary, Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai together with the other shareholder, Shenzhen XZQ Information Science and Technology Company.

Global Sources opens its inaugural Lifestyle show

Hong Kong, 27th October: Hong Kong-based Global Sources launched its first Global Sources Lifestyle trade fair running from 27th to 30th October at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) venue. The exhibition featured creative, curated and innovative gifts, premiums and home products.

Highlights of the newly launched event included: Meet the Millennials, showcasing various product categories; Lifestyle Live, a daily program of live shows on fitness, travel, and food; the Cool Design Award & Gallery, showcasing selected innovative products; and the Global Sources Summit, a three-day conference focusing on online business.

Koelnmesse launches a premium furniture show in Shanghai

Shanghai, 24th October: imm cologne, a leading furniture show, will open along side interior design days shanghai (idd shanghai), running from 22nd to 24th November 2018 at the 800 Show venue located close to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre.

Due to the high growth furniture market in China, Koelnmesse, an international exhibition organiser, has opted to open the premium furniture show in Shanghai. According to the organiser, idd shanghai will leverage the strength of imm cologne, showcasing premium and luxury furniture products.

73,000+ buyers at HKTDC’s lighting fairs and Eco Expo Asia

Hong Kong, 27th October: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded its lighting fairs and Eco Expo Asia earlier this week, attracting more than 73,000 buyers from 154 countries and regions, which represents an increase of 6% compared to last year’s figure.

The 20th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 27th to 30th October. More than 2,700 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions attended this year, with first time exhibitors from Lithuania, Macau and Portugal.

The third edition of the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo was held at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) running from 26th to 29th October. Eco Expo Asia is jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK). Running from 25th to 28th October at AWE, the show featured about 340 exhibitors.

UBM’s Singapore Jewellery & Gem Fair features 120+ exhibitors

Singapore, 26th October: More than 120 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions showcased products at the Singapore Jewellery & Gem Fair (SJGF). It featured a wide range of jewellery products.

Organised by UBM Asia, SJGF was held from 26th to 29th October at Marina Bay Sands. In addition to exhibition, the show also included a series of workshops and seminars for trade visitors to join. An award ceremony was also held during the show to highlight the work of local designers.

VNU Exhibitions appoints new Managing Director in Asia

Bangkok, 30th October: VNU Exhibitions, an international event organiser, recently appointed Mr. Heiko M. Stutzinger as its new Managing Director for the Asia Pacific region.

In this new role, he will oversee the entire Asia Pacific region and will set the strategy for VNU in the Asia Pacific region. Heiko is currently Deputy General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai as well as Deputy Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf China. Heiko will take on the new role as of 1st February 2019 and will be based in VNU’s Bangkok office.

Baidu’s profits rise 56% in Q3

Beijing, 30th October: Earlier this week, Baidu, the leading Chinese language Internet search provider, released its financial results for the quarter ended 30th September 2018. Revenues were US$4.1 billion, a 27% increase year-on-year. Net income in the third quarter grew 56%, reaching US$1.8 billion.

The vast majority of Baidu’s revenues were generated from Baidu core business (US$3.15 billion). This represents an increase of 25% year-on-year. In the third quarter, Baidu reported it had about 522,000 active online marketing customers, up 7% year-on-year. Meanwhile, revenue per online marketing customer in the quarter jumped 80% year-on-year to US$6,300.

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 2018)

Messe München acquires Air Cargo India expo

Munich, 15th October: International trade fair organiser, Messe München, announced it has bought Air Cargo India and Air Cargo Africa from STAT Trade Times, an Indian publishing house. Financial details were not disclosed.

Air Cargo India, a biennial event, takes place in Mumbai. The 7th edition of Air Cargo India was held in February this year, featuring 74 exhibitors and over 2,500 visitors. The 4th edition of Air Cargo Africa attracted 80 exhibitors and recorded 2,126 visitors to the event in 2017. The 5th edition Air Cargo Africa will be held from 19th to 21st February 2019 in Johannesburg.

Terrapinn acquires Solar & Storage Live from Solar Media

U.K., 17th October: International event organiser, Terrapinn, has announced that it recently acquired Solar & Storage Live from Solar Media Limited. No financial details were announced.

Solar & Storage Live is a U.K. leading solar power and solar storage exhibition and conference. The event will reportedly continue to be supported by Solar Media.

Made-in-China’s revenues drops 29% in Q3

Nanjing, 25th October: Earlier this week, Shenzhen-listed Focus Technology, which is the owner and operator of Made-in-China.com, reported its financial results for the quarter ended 30th September 2018. Revenues were US$34 million - that represents a decrease of 29% compared with last year. The company’s net income increased slightly by 2.6% in the quarter to US$4.4 million.

The Nanjing-based company also released its results for the nine-months ended 30th September. Focus Technology generated revenues of US$93 million, down 33% compared with the same period in 2017.