UFI: exhibition industry improving

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Paris, 27th July: Earlier this week, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released its latest Global Barometer research, highlighting the strong impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the global exhibition industry in 2020. However, it is gradually improving, primarily driven by physical exhibitions and business events.

According to the survey, less than 10% of companies expect “no activity” for the last quarter of 2021, compared with 53% in January. Nearly half of companies expect “normal activity”, compared with 12% in January. The results vary by region, depending on the currently confirmed or expected “reopening dates” for exhibitions. The majority of companies in all regions expect both local and national exhibitions to open again in the coming 12 months, and international exhibitions to reopen in the first half of 2022.

GSSE moves to new Jio World Centre

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Mumbai, 12th July: Leading Indian B2B exhibition organiser, publication & media house, Virgo Communications & Exhibitions, will organise its GSSE 2022: Global Stainless Steel Expo at a new venue, Jio World Centre.

The show, to run from 3rd to 5th March 2022, will be a focused international B2B exhibition/conference, connecting stainless steel industry and related stakeholders from around the globe.

Singapore tightens COVID restrictions

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Singapore, 21st July: Singapore scaled down in-person business events and live performances and also reduced event size caps from 22nd July until 18th August, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Live performance and business events of up to 100 persons are allowed with pre-event testing, and up to 50 without testing. Spectator and participatory sports events are allowed up to 100 persons with testing. Other measures include reduction in group sizes for social gatherings from five to two, and reduction in operating capacity at attractions and museums from 50% down to 25%.

Separately, Singapore is considering quarantine-free travel for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from as early as September. It is expected that 80% of its population will be vaccinated by then, meeting conditions to reopen.

Thailand updates COVID-19 measures

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Thailand, 21st July: Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand, the government has released several measures to control the situation.

On 21st July, the Thai Government announced new tougher measures to effectively reduce COVID-19 infection. From 20th July, it increased the number of provinces under maximum restrictions from 10 to 13, with unnecessary outdoor activities prohibited.

Quick takes

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V-Connect Vietnam’s success story

The Vietnam Edition of V-Connect ran from 21-23 July and had been a big hit with the crowd. A digital B2B Networking event for ASEAN’s Feed to Food Industry, it attracted over 7,000 views from 62 countries. Gathering 150 international brands from 62 countries and 1,159 unique registered visitors, the event also helped match together 200 and more businesses. In these unusual times, digital events are the key to new connections!

 

Korea launches new marketing campaign for Unique Venues

In promotion of Korea’s Unique Venue programme, the Korea MICE Bureau has unveiled a new digital marketing campaign and microsite that pairs its many collaborating venues with dancers – highlighting each venue’s specific mood and feel.

 

Constellar Holdings rightsizes from extended COVID impact

Constellar Holdings let go of 21 employees as part of a rightsizing exercise due to the prolonged impact of the pandemic, affecting 12% of its Singapore office headcount. Due to the repeated rescheduling and cancellation of events, Constellar Holding’s Singapore Expo & MAX Atria experienced a 95% drop in physical events.

Alibaba provides fund for start-ups in the Greater Bay Area

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Hong Kong, 13th July: The Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund (AEF), launched by the Alibaba Group in 2015, is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

A new venture fund, dubbed the AEF Greater Bay Area Fund (GBA Fund), is targeting a final close before June 2022 with a funding package of HK$2 billion (about US$260 million), which will include capital commitments and credit facilities. In addition to GBA entrepreneurs, the fund will also benefit Hong Kong-based start-ups planning to expand into the region, with a key focus on sustainability, deep tech, health tech, artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 related projects.

HKTDC releases Annual Report

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 Hong Kong, 7th July: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) released its Annual Report for the 2020/21 financial year ended 31st March 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HKTDC has postponed or cancelled its physical fairs since April 2020 and organised virtual fairs instead. During the reporting period, the fairs attracted more than 394,000 buyers and 7,400 exhibitors.

In financial figures, revenues from exhibition admissions dropped 95%, down to US$9.1 million. Including a government subsidiary of US$77 million, the HKTDC posted total income of US$166 million, down 42% from last year.

Hong Kong’s Kitec to be transformed into grade-A offices

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Hong Kong, June: A group of investors led by Billion Development and Project Management paid HK$10.5 billion (US$1.35 billion) for Hopewell’s Kowloon Bay Trade and Exhibition Centre (Kitec) in Hong Kong.

The consortium plans to spend HK$20 billion (US$2.56 billion), which includes the acquisition cost, to develop the complex into grade-A offices. The complex now has a gross floor area of 164,400 m2.

830,000+ visitors attend Hong Kong Book Fair

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Hong Kong, 14th July: Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Book Fair, the Hong Kong Sports & Leisure Expo and the new World of Snacks concluded on 20th July, attracting more than 830,000 visitors.

Running from 14th to 20th July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the co-located fairs featured more than 760 exhibitors, presenting a broad selection of books, sports, products and snacks.

The encouraging results of the Book Fair and its co-located fairs support the return of more physical public shows.

Quick takes

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PM Modi visits Varansi for launch of “Rudraksh” convention centre

On 15th July, the “Rudraksh” International Cooperation and Convention Centre was inaugurated with the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two-storey venue seats 1,200 people, and was built with the help of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

 

Tarsus Group acquires BodySite Digital Health

Global B2B events and media group Tarsus has announced the successful acquisition of BodySite Digital Health – a digital patient care management and education platform. Integrated under the Tarsus Medical Group, the division will expand its stack of digital products and enhance subscription services for healthcare professionals.

 

Trio of Thai resort islands reopen under Samui Plus scheme

The Thai resort islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao will be reopened, quarantine-free, to fully vaccinated foreign travellers. Under the Samui Plus scheme, these islands will be open to foreign travellers between July and December 2021. Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says this initiative is “another significant step towards achieving the Thai prime minister’s recently announced policy of reopening the whole country within 120 days, or by the end of October.”

 

GL events China to become a strategic investor in North Star Convention

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China, 9th July: Hong Kong registered Chinese industrial conglomerate, North Star Company Limited, announced it has brought on board four new strategic investors, including GL events China, to strengthen the capital base of its convention and exhibition subsidiary, Beijing North Star Convention Group Co., Ltd. The three other investors are: Beijing Capital Tourism Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang Construction Investment Co., Ltd. and Jingdong Technology Holding Co., Ltd.

The registered capital of North Star Convention Group will be raised from RMB 120 million (US$18.5 million) to RMB 200 million (US$30.8 million) after the completion of the deal. The parent company will own 60% while the four new investors will each hold 10%. The company will also be renamed as “Capital Convention (Group) Co., Ltd.”, and will remain as a subsidiary of the North Star Company.

Hyve releases FY21 Q3 trading update

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London, 8th July: London-listed Hyve Group plc has released its trading update for the three-month period from 1st April to 30th June (Q3).

During the quarter, the company ran 18 in-person events, for a total of 28 events held for the financial year. In respect of cancelled events, £2.1 million (US$2.9 million) of further insurance claims have been approved. Therefore, net debt as of 30th June was reduced to £73 million (US$101 million), from £92.4 million (US$128 million) as of 31st March 2021.

HKTDC opens twin jewellery shows in July

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Hong Kong, 8th July: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will organise the 37th edition of Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and seventh edition of Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show from 25th to 29th July, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The twin jewellery shows will be held for the first time in a hybrid format. The physical fairs will be attended by industrial buyers and will also open to public for the first time. The online business matching service will run until 5th August, allowing global jewellers to make business deals through online video conferences.

Thailand tightens restrictions in Bangkok and 9 provinces

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Thailand, 9th July: The Thai Government announced a 14-day nightly curfew that applies to Bangkok and nine other provinces, starting from midnight on 12th July. Daily new COVID-19 infections in the country have been on the rise, with 5,530 cases reported on 1st July and 9,276 cases on 9th July.

The affected areas include Bangkok and its vicinities (Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom) and four provinces in the southern region (Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla).

Quick takes

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Andrew Phua to lead Singapore Tourism Board’s operations in Greater China

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Executive Director Andrew Phua will be moving to China to lead STB’s operations in the China, Hong Kong/Macau and Taiwan markets. Effective 16th September 2021, Andrew Phua’s successor in Singapore will be Poh Chi Chuan, the previous ED of the Board’s Technology Transformation Group.

 

Elsie Cheung to step down as SCMP COO

After 20 years of service, South China Morning Post Chief Operating Officer Elsie Cheung will be leaving the news organisation for personal reasons, effective 30th July 2021. Cheung’s contributions have been “integral to the transformation of the brand” according to SCMP Chief Executive Gary Liu.

 

Tokyo Olympics to be closed to spectators amid new COVID spikes

Japan has declared a state of emergency in Tokyo from 12th July to 22nd August following a spike in COVID-19 cases. To prevent the unnecessary spread of the Delta-variant, public spectators will not be allowed to attend the Olympic Games.

Ecosystm partners with Constellar

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Singapore, 30th June: Ecosystm, the disruptive technology research and advisory platform, and Constellar Venues, a subsidiary of Constellar Holdings (formerly known as SingEx-Sphere Holdings), have agreed to collaborate on a series of Executive Think Tanks globally.

Under the new partnership, Ecosystm’s deep industry knowledge gained through their real-time technology research platform and pool of world-class industry and technology analysts, in conjunction with Constellar’s renowned operational excellence in venue and events management plus their extensive customer and partner networks, will deliver an enhanced standard of virtual, physical and hybrid events around the world.