HKTDC opens seven autumn trade fairs featuring a hybrid format

Hong Kong, 19th October: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will bring its seven autumn trade fairs into a single “physical + online” platform this year.

The physical fairs will run from 27th to 30th October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), while the online fairs will be held from 27th October to 6th November. Close to 1,700 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions will join the hybrid fairs, presenting a comprehensive range of cutting-edge tech products, solutions, services and innovations.

Quick takes

Malaysia’s MITEC resumes operations

Following the reopening of Malaysia’s business events sector, the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) has reopened its doors. All staff have been fully vaccinated and must adhere to strict government-mandated operating procedures. In previous years, MITEC has hosted prominent events including the SEA Games 2017 and Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2018.

Dubai to hold a special edition of APLF in 2022

Hong Kong’s extensive quarantine restrictions have led to the APLF-Leather and Materials+ trade fair being relocated to Dubai. The event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 30th March to 1st April 2022. In contrast to Hong Kong, Dubai has achieved a 98.1% vaccination rate and has been reopened to international visitors since July 2020.

VNU Group appoints new COO

Heiko M. Stutzinger has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of international venue and event organiser Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs|VNU Group, effective 1st December. Mr. Stutzinger succeeds the group’s previous COO, Peter van der Deer.

Melbourne eases lockdown, but international reopening remains uncertain

Following an announcement on 17th October, Melbourne will begin easing lockdowns and allowing restricted operations for certain businesses. On a national level, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has urged the federal government to determine a date and reopening framework for the tourism sector. According to ATEC, the A$45 billion (US$33.7 billion) sector “cannot afford to stay closed” after months of being crippled by the pandemic.

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 2021)

HK government to provide more support for events

Hong Kong, 8th October: Last week, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, announced in her latest Policy Address that the government will extend its Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme for an additional six months to 31st December 2022.

In addition, a one-off immediate relief measure for private organisers of exhibitions will be part of the extended scheme. Organisers of exhibitions held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) or AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) from 2015 to 2021 may apply for the immediate relief. The amount will be equivalent to 20% of the average annual rental of the relevant exhibition – up to a maximum of HK$1 million (US$128,500) per event. The original Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme was launched on 3rd October 2020 with a value of HK$1.07 billion (US$137.5 million).

Messe München & AES partner

Munich, 20th September: Messe München, through its Southeast Asian regional operation MMI Asia Pte Ltd, will organise ASEAN Ceramics along with Asian Exhibition Services (AES) beginning in 2022.

ASEAN Ceramics, a ceramic manufacturing exhibition and conference, will continue to be held as both ASEAN Ceramics Thailand and ASEAN Ceramics Vietnam. The first ASEAN Ceramics Thailand, organised by Messe München, will run from 30th November to 2nd December 2022 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok. The show will be managed through Messe München’s subsidiary office in Singapore.

NürnbergMesse launches “embedded world” in China

Shanghai, 28th September: Exhibition organiser, NürnbergMesse, will take one of its leading brands, embedded world, to China. The new event will be launched with its partner WEKA FACHMEDIEN GmbH and Informa Markets Creativity.

The inaugural event will be held from 15th to 17th June 2022 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center (SWEECC) occupying an exhibition area of approximately 16,000 m2. The organiser expects that more than 300 companies covering components, modules, application systems, embedded image processing systems and communications will participate in the event along with more than 10,000 trade visitors. The event will focus on intelligent and secure design solutions for the automobile and IoT industry.

Messe Düsseldorf to launch REHACARE SHANGHAI

Shanghai, 9th October: International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, will launch a new trade fair, REHACARE SHANGHAI, through Messe Düsseldorf GmbH and its subsidiary Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Ltd, to address the rehabilitation industry in China and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities.

The new event will take place from 1st to 3rd September 2022 in Shanghai and will be supported by Messe Düsseldorf’s industry knowledge through its flagship event REHACARE INTERNATIONAL. Messe Düsseldorf expects more than 100 leading suppliers to showcase their rehabilitation equipment and solutions at the end event. It also expects to attract approximately 8,000 trade visitors.

Quick Takes

Singapore moves to open to visitors

Despite rising COVID infection numbers, Singapore’s government is holding firm and has made moves to open its borders to vaccinated travellers from selected countries. If only the Hong Kong government would take a page from this playbook.

Comexposium exits “safeguard procedure”

French exhibition organiser, Comexposium, is emerging from the French version of bankruptcy protection. This is a welcome development, but with limited impact on the Asian operations which were largely excluded from the structuring exercise.

MGM Resorts selected to build IR in Osaka

In somewhat of a surprise move, the government in Osaka took a concrete step towards finally committing to building an integrated resort (IR) which will include MICE facilities. Japan has been making noises about building an IR in several cities for years, so there is plenty of opportunity for this project to be derailed once again at some point in the future.

HKCEC hosts 25 physical exhibitions during the summer

Hong Kong, 5th October: The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) hosted a total of 25 physical exhibitions during the summer (from 14th July to 31st August), welcoming over 1.29 million attendees.

Of the 25 exhibitions held during the summer, 17 were local public exhibitions, seven were public and trade fairs, and one was trade fair. Themes of the exhibitions included books, sports and leisure, comics and animation, food, education, household appliances, baby products, wedding products, wine and jewellery.

Tokyo Big Sight hosts 84 exhibitions in FY2020-2021

Tokyo, 30th September: Tokyo Big Sight released its Annual Report for the financial year 2020-2021, ended 31st March 2021. During the financial year, the venues hosted 84 exhibitions, although many exhibitions were cancelled or postponed caused by the spread of COVID-19. The exhibition hall occupancy rate was 22.7% during the year, compared with 69.5% during the 2019-2020 financial year.

Operating revenues during the year were 14.7 billion Yen (US$133 million), a year-on-year decrease of 30%. The venue posted a loss of 255 million Yen (US$2.3 million) this year, compared with a profit of 1.84 billion Yen (US$17 million) in the previous year.

EEAA elects Nicole Walker as new President

Australia, 30th September: The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) elected the new board of directors during their annual general meeting on 28th September, electing Nicole Walker (Arinex) as President.

Other key office bearers include: Vice President, Helen Mantellato (International Convention Centre Sydney); Treasurer, Paul Elliot (Harry the hirer), and Secretary, Elissa Duke (Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre).

SILMO to launch in Singapore

Singapore, 25th September: Recently, SILMO International, MP Singapore, and the Singapore Tourism Board signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to host SILMO Singapore from 2023 to 2025.

Licenced by the SILMO Association in Paris, SILMO Singapore will be positioned as the Asian flagship edition of SILMO Paris, an international B2B eyewear and lifestyle tradeshow for new designs, collections, and technologies in the eyewear industry.

The first edition of SILMO Singapore will be held at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, running from 12th to 14th April 2023.

Quick takes

Phuket opens doors to all vaccinated tourists

Starting from 1st October, fully vaccinated travellers from any country are welcome to book holidays in Phuket and other provinces taking part in the quarantine-free Sandbox scheme. After visiting one of the designated Sandbox locations for a week, travellers will be free to visit the mainland sans quarantine.

Australia to end 18-month travel ban in November

Vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to travel abroad from November, as the government eases tight travel restrictions that have been in place since March 2020. Upon returning to Australia, vaccinated residents will be allowed to isolate at home for seven days, while non-vaccinated residents must quarantine for 14 days in a hotel.

Japan shortens quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers

From 1st October, fully vaccinated travellers from non-high-risk destinations entering Japan will have their mandatory quarantine shortened from 14 to 10 days. Travellers must provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination, and will be able to observe the shortened quarantine period at home or an accommodation of their choosing.

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 2021)

Canton Fair schedule adjusted

Guangzhou, September: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 130th Canton Fair will be held next month for only one phase instead of the three initially planned phases.

The fair will run from 15th to 19th October in both online and offline editions. The onsite fair will cover an exhibition area of about 400,000 m2, featuring a total of 16 product categories across 51 sections. The online counterpart will maintain 60,000 booths and provide an online trade cooperation and exchange platform for enterprises and buyers.

ICC Sydney hosts over 350 events during FY 2020/21

Sydney, 28th September: Earlier this week, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) released its Annual Performance Review for the 2020/2021 financial year. The venue hosted 352 events during the year in the face of lockdowns, border closures and operating restrictions.

Adapting to the pandemic, the venue upgraded its technology, broadcasting services and team skills to offer hybrid and virtual events in-house. Of the 352 events held at ICC Sydney, 80 were virtual, 72 were hybrid and 200 were in-person. According to the venue, almost 90,000 people joined the 60 events scheduled in May.

Inaugural Formnext + PM South China concludes

Shenzhen, 20th September: The inaugural edition of Formnext + PM South China, a new exhibition for the Chinese manufacturing industry, concluded on 11th September in Shenzhen, bringing together 199 exhibitors and 9,330 visitors. The event was jointly organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd and Uniris Exhibition Shanghai Co Ltd.

Positioned as the leading fair in the region for additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, design, software and processing technologies, the event took place at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center from 9th to 11th September and occupied 15,000 m2 of exhibition space.

NOVA Group posts losses in FY 2020/21

­Hong Kong, 28th September: Recently, Hong Kong-based exhibition and event organiser NOVA Group (formerly known as Mega Expo) announced its financial results for the year ended 30th June 2021. The company reported total revenues of US$29 million, a decrease of 58% compared with last year. The company also posted a loss of US$702,000 during the year, compared to a net profit of US$18 million in the previous year.

More than 76% of its total revenues were generated from its cultural & entertainment segment, amounting to US$23 million and representing a year-on-year decrease of 61%. The financing segment generated revenues of US$6.8 million, accounting for 23% of total revenues. This business segment dropped 9.0% from the previous year. The remaining revenues were generated from its exhibition & events segment (US$16,000), with a reported decrease of more than 99% year-on-year.