400+ exhibitors at ISPO Beijing

Beijing, 23rd January: Messe München, an international exhibition organiser, held its event, ISPO Beijing and Alpitec China, at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) from 16th to 19th January 2019. More than 400 exhibitors representing 682 brands were showcased at the show.

Positioned as one of the most important sports trade fairs in the Asia, the four-day show attracted approximately 30,000 trade visitors. The event featured forums, information on key trends, as well as products focused on a wide range of winter sports, outdoors activities, as well as health & fitness equipment. Football was a new category added this show.

HKTDC’s Fashion Week attracts 13,000 buyers

Hong Kong, 17th January: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded the 50th edition of its Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter last week attracting nearly 13,000 buyers from 78 countries and regions.

The Fashion Week ran from 14th to 17th January at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The HKTDC maintains that this is the largest fair of its kind in Asia. The four-day fair featured some 1,400 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions.

Tarsus releases year-end trading update

London, 14th January: Tarsus Group, an international B2B media group, released an update on its financial year ending 31st December 2018. Management noted that the company continues to make progress on its “Quickening The Pace” strategy.

According to Tarsus, like-for-like revenues are expected to increase by 9% last year. Visitor/buyer growth across its portfolio was approximately 10%. During the year, Tarsus launched 19 brands replications including six new Connnect events as well as the first edition of Labelexpo Southeast Asia. Tarsus also completed six acquisitions last year. Total like-for-like bookings for 2019 are up more than 10%.

IFSEC India launches preview show in Bangladesh

New Delhi, 10th January: At the 12th edition of the International Fire & Security Exhibition and Conference (IFSEC) India, UBM India announced plans to launch a preview show in Dhaka, Bangladesh later this year.

At the inaugural session of IFSEC India, UBM India also announced its plans to launch a preview show in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 18th to 20th April 2019. The preview show will provide a new platform for the Bangladeshi market to enhance its safety and surveillance services. The event will also feature a conference, product launches live demonstrations.

ITB China continues partnership with China Tourism Association

Berlin/Shanghai, 10th January: ITC China, a trade show serving the travel industry in China, renewed its strategic partnership with the China Tourism Association (CTA) for the 2019 edition running from 15th to 17th May at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre (SWEECC).

Under the terms of the partnership, marketing activities will be held during ITB China 2019 to “mutually promote both parties as well as to enhance business opportunities and raise global awareness for the Chinese travel industry.”

drink technology India postponed in Bangalore

India, 8th January: drink technology India (dti), an event serving the beverage and liquid food industry in India, announced plans to postpone the event from February to April, reported following a “request” from the event’s exhibitors.

Organised by Messe München, dti was originally scheduled to run from 28th February to 3rd March 2019. The new dates are from 10th to 12th April 2019. The event will remain at Bangalore International Expo Centre (BIEC), as planned.

130,000+ buyers at first four HKTDC fairs of 2019

Hong Kong, 10th January: Last week, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded its first four shows in 2019 attracting more than 130,000 buyers, an increase of 3.3% over last year.

The Hong Kong Toys Games Fair, Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and Hong Kong International Stationery Fair ran from 7th to 10th January, while the Hong Kong International Licensing Show was held from 7th to 9th January. All four shows took place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Digital to account for half of APAC ad spend

Asia, 11th January: According to Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN), a multinational media and digital marketing communications company, digital advertising spending in Asia Pacific is expected to account for 49% of the total spending in 2019.

Overall spending in the region is forecast to grow by 4.5% this year. Digital is now the main channel for advertising in Asia Pacific. China spends 63% on digital ads, Australia (52%), New Zealand (49%), Hong Kong (48%) and Taiwan (43%).

Reed Exhibitions to acquire Mack Brooks

London, 15th January: Reed Exhibitions, the second largest global exhibition organiser, announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mack Brooks Exhibitions. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close at some point in the first half of 2019. Although no financial details for the acquisition were disclosed, industry insiders have estimated the deal to be worth approximately £210 million (US$273 million).

Mack Brooks has a small portfolio in Asia including geo-cloned editions of Asia Blech, InterAirport, and its Fastener Expo in China, India, Thailand and Singapore. In total, the company is estimated to have revenues of approximately US$50 million. The deal represents Reed Exhibitions first significant acquisition in many years.

Wellington, NZ to build a new venue

Wellington, New Zealand, December: The Wellington City Council has approved plans for the construction of a new venue, the Wellington Conference and Exhibition Centre (WCEC).

According to the council, construction work will start in 2019. The venue will feature convention space spread across two upper floors adding 10,000 m2 of total space. The exhibition gallery on the ground floor will feature 1,650 m2.

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 2019)