Perth Convention Bureau appoints new CEO

Perth, 24th June: The Perth Convention Bureau (PCB) recently appointed a new CEO, Gareth Martin who will succeed former CEO Paul Beeson in February.

Martin, has recently been the Acting CEO, has worked with the PCB and its stakeholders for over 12 years. Martin has extensive business events sales and marketing experience and he has held a variety of senior executive roles at PCB.

HKTDC celebrates 30th edition of the Hong Kong Book Fair

Hong Kong, 25th June: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will open the 30th edition of its Hong Kong Book Fair next month, featuring a record number of exhibitors - more than 680 exhibitors from 39 countries and territories.

Running from 17th to 23rd July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the Book Fair will host some 310 cultural events during the event. This year’s theme is “Sci-Fi and Mystery.”

The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo will run concurrently with the Book Fair. In its third edition, more than 140 exhibitors will showcase sports and leisure products and services from over 160 brands.

500+ exhibitors at IAMD SHENZHEN 2019

Shenzhen, 26th June: Organised by Deutsche Messe AG and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai, Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives SHENZHEN 2019 (IAMD SHENZHEN) opened on 26th June, featuring more than 500 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions.

The three-day day was held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (SZCEC), covering over 35,000 m2. This year’s show focused on automation products and technologies as well as industry solutions covering six sectors: industrial robotics, control systems & transmission technology, automotive equipment & electronic manufacturing technology, machine vision, industrial IoT and AGV.

CPhI China reports 25% visitor increase

Asia, 26th June: Informa Markets’ Health & Nutrition business, led by the CPhI global pharma event series, reported increased visitor and exhibitor numbers at many of its global editions. The largest event in the portfolio is CPhI China which recorded an increase of 25%.

In March, CPhI South East Asia, which recently moved to Bangkok, ran from 12th to 14th March. That edition posted increased numbers – rising by more than 50%, reaching 7,250 visitors and 250 exhibitors. CPhI Japan was held from 18th to 20th March and it attracted almost 20,000 pharma professionals and 571 exhibitors from 29 countries.

CPhI China ran from 18th to 20th June and recorded visitor numbers of 50,000 – up 25% over the previous edition. According to the organiser, Informa Markets, this year’s edition marks the first time that the Shanghai event occupied the entire venue at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre (SNIEC).

Sarawak Trade, Tourism Office opens in Singapore

Sarawak/Singapore, 20th June: The Sarawak government opened the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (Statos) in Singapore on 20th June. It will serve as a one-stop centre to promote tourism and agricultural products from Sarawak, bring in more investment, and promote trade and attract more tourists to the Malaysian state.

The Singapore government agreed to host the Sarawak’s office where it acts as the hub of communication between the state’s exporters and the business community in Singapore.

AIPC, ICCA and UFI form alliance

Paris, 25th June: This week, three international meetings industry associations agreed to launch a global alliance. The associations are AIPC (The International Association of Convention Centres), ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association), and UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry).

Under the terms of the agreement, the three associations will facilitate collaboration and generate more comprehensive and deeper benefits for their members. The alliance will begin with a program of exploring exchange and reciprocity in four key areas: educational content, research, standards and advocacy.

Global Exhibitions Day 2019 celebrated around the world

Paris, 6th June: The fourth edition of Global Exhibition Day (GED) was held on 5th June 2019. GED aims to highlight the exhibition industry’s value and role as a driver of economic growth.

GED 2019 promoted four core advocacy messages, including UFI’s recently released global and regional data related to the economic impact of exhibitions, which underscores how important exhibitions are in contributing to total economic output, job creation and GDP growth. GED activities were held in some 90 countries and regions on 5th June. A total of 41 GED partner associations supported and joined the celebrations.

Questex Asia closes media and publication division

Asia, 30th May: Media and events company, Questex Asia, announced the closure of its Asia media and publication division, including publications based in Singapore and Hong Kong.

According to media reports, Questex’s shuttered the titles at the end of May. However, Questex’s Asian event business, managed out of its Singapore office, will continue to operate, while the Hong Kong office will be closed. Catherine Wong, senior vice president, will continue to lead the Questex Asia team.

Deutsche Messe expands portfolio in Indonesia

Hannover/Jakarta, May: International exhibition organiser, Deutsche Messe, will join forces with Indonesian tradeshow company Wakeni, to organise a woodworking machinery and components event, IFMAC – International Furniture Manufacturing Component Exhibition.

The two companies will jointly organise the 8th edition of IFMAC for the first time running from 9th to 12th October 2019 at the Jakarta International Expo. According to Deutsche Messe, IFMAC 2018 featured over 300 exhibitors from 23 countries and attracted more than 13,000 visitors from 37 countries and regions.

67,000 visitors at THAIFEX 2019

Bangkok, 28th May: Organised by Koelnmesse, the 16th edition of THAIFEX-World of Food Asia concluded recently attracting over 67,000 trade visitors from 134 countries. THAIFEX was held at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center.

Running from 28th May to 1st June, the five-day show occupied an exhibition area of 107,000 m2, occupying all 11 halls at IMPACT. A total of 2,745 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions participated in the show – including 28 start-up companies.