UFI sees quickening pace of recovery

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Paris, 24th February: Last week, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released its latest research in the bi-annual Global Barometer. The report highlights the quickening pace of the industry’s recovery in 2022, after the devastating impact of the global pandemic on physical exhibitions and business events in 2020 and 2021.

According to the survey, about 40% of companies worldwide declared “normal activity” during the period of October 2021 to February 2022 – much stronger than the 20% recorded in July 2021. Respondents expect the figure to increase to around 60% in March 2022. Companies expecting “no activity” dropped from 34% to 16% during the second half of 2021, and the figure has dropped to less than 5% in March 2022.

Alibaba records slowest revenue growth in years

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Hangzhou, 24th February: Last week, the Alibaba Group, the largest e-commerce company in China, released its results for the quarter ended 31st December 2021. The company reported total revenues of US$38 billion, up just 10% year-on-year; one of the slowest growth rates in Alibaba’s history. The group’s net income dropped 75% - down to slightly more than US$3 billion.

Revenues from Alibaba’s China B2B business, primarily generated through 1688.com, were US$664 million. This represents an increase of 10% compared with the same quarter in 2020.

The international B2B business, primarily operating through Alibaba.com, generated revenues of US$760 million, a year-on-year increase of 29%. B2B revenues accounted for only 3.7% of the group’s total revenues in this recent quarter.

Singapore raises event capacity limits

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Singapore, 16th February: Committed to supporting businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic, the Singaporean Government will ease restrictions on events next month.

As of 4th March 2022, Singapore will end across-the-board attendance limits for business events, media conferences and mask-on classes. Instead, the Ministry of Health will limit event sizes based on venue capacity. Zoning requirements will also be removed, leaving masks and vaccinations as the primary health and safety protection measures.

Separately, Singapore’s Budget 2022 will continue to offer support to businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic. A total of S$500 million (US$372 million) has been allocated to the new “Jobs and Business Support Package.”

APEC looks to restart travel

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Asia Pacific, 23rd February: As part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the APEC Safe Passage Taskforce is due to release an update on their policy discussions during a recent two-day meeting with officials. APEC representatives discussed ways to co-ordinate cross-border travel in the region, as well as ways in which vaccine certificates can be used to reconnect international “business mobility.”

Several proposals and policies aimed at supporting global travel initiatives have been reviewed. Officials are looking for a “foundation in safe passage for the region for long-term resilience.” According to APEC, these policies will guide the region to work towards “interoperability and safe and sustainable travel as well as enhance connectivity.” They also committed to exploring additional solutions to facilitate safe cross-border travel in the region.

Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN to be held in Bangkok

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Bangkok, 15th February: Cosmoprof will soon add a new event to its portfolio. Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN will run from 15th to 17th September 2022 at the IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center in Bangkok, serving the Southeast Asia beauty market.

The new event will be organised through an alliance between BolognaFiere Group, Informa Markets and China Beauty Expo (CBE). It will also be supported by TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau). The event is expected to cover over 10,000 m2 and will feature some 500 exhibitors and brands – ranging from early supply chain raw materials to branded and finished beauty products. The organisers expect to attract more than 8,000 visitors to this edition of the event.

Quick takes

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Alibaba reports slowest ever growth, misses expectations

Alibaba, the largest e-commerce group in China, posted 10% revenue growth – the slowest growth rate since its 2014 IPO. It continues to be challenged by macroeconomic headwinds, political tensions, Beijing’s watchful eye and increased domestic competition. Growth in its cloud business is also slowing.

 

Greater Bay Airlines wins routes

This is not exactly a B2B media story, but it is certainly a sign of the times and another step toward the endgame of engineering Cathay Pacific’s demise. Greater Bay Airlines was awarded a license to operate 104 routes running out of Hong Kong.

 

New white paper calls for the return of events

A new white paper, “Business Events are the Fast Track to Recovery,” was launched to call for the re-opening of the business events industry and highlight the contributions that business events make to the wider economy. The report was jointly issued by the three main global trade bodies representing the business events industry – including UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

 

Tarsus’ OFFPRICE show looks strong

It is good to see parts of the business events world roaring back. Tarsus’ retail-focused exhibition posted robust results when it was held in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Informa to divest Pharma Intelligence

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London, 10th February: Informa PLC, a London-based international B2B markets, knowledge services and business intelligence group, announced that it will sell Pharma Intelligence (the largest business within its Informa Intelligence division) to Warburg Pincus for £1.9 billion (US$2.6 billion).

In 2020, Pharma Intelligence accounted for about 40% of Informa Intelligence’s reported divisional revenues of £305 million (US$414 million), with reported divisional adjusted operating profit of £103 million (US$140 million).

RELX’s exhibitions record profit in 2021

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London, 10th February: Last week, RELX Group plc, parent company of RX Global (formerly Reed Exhibitions), released its financial results for the year ended 31st December 2021. Revenues in RELX’s exhibitions business posted underlying growth of 44%, amounting to £534 million (US$721 million). Adjusted operating profit for the year was £10 million (US$13 million), compared with a loss of £164 million (US$224 million) in the previous year.

Management attributed the growth in revenues of the exhibitions business to a gradual reopening of exhibition venues across geographies. In 2021, the company held a total of 269 face-to-face events. In addition, the company announced it had made good progress on digital initiatives, with digital tools supporting their physical events.

BOL’s profit up 31%

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Bangkok, 11th February: Business Online (BOL), a leading online information service provider in Thailand, recently released its financial results for the year ended 31st December 2021. Revenue for the year was US$19 million, representing moderate growth of 3.9% year-on-year. BOL’s net profit for the year grew 31% to US$7.0 million. Diluted earnings per share in 2021 were Baht 0.28 (US$0.0085).

More than 93% of BOL’s revenue was generated from its service business, which contributed US$18 million, representing year-on-year growth of 2.1%. The remaining revenue was generated from dividend income (US$827,000) and “other income” (US$411,000).

Singapore Airshow 2022 opens

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Singapore, 15th February: Organised by Experia, Singapore Airshow 2022 opened on 15th February at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore, featuring 600 participating companies from more than 39 countries and regions.

The biennial event will run until 18th February, and targets to attract over 13,000 trade attendees. However, this year’s Singapore Airshow will not be open to public. In addition, all attendees must be pre-registered, fully vaccinated and adhere to the prevailing safe management measures, including mandatory mask-wearing, safe distancing protocols, designated F&B zones and regular disinfection of event spaces.

Quick takes

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Hong Kong spirals into panic mode

As Hong Kong faces new daily highs in Omicron infections, Chief Executive Carrie Lam has requested that hotel operators provide up to 10,000 rooms to serve as isolation facilities. With experts anticipating up to 5,000 new daily cases by mid-March and hospitals already at capacity, these spaces will be vital to continue the city’s “dynamic zero-COVID” policy.

 

Other markets in Asia move to fully reopen

As of 14th February, India will remove mandatory quarantines and negative pre-arrival COVID PCR tests for international travellers. Instead, travellers will only need to present a completed vaccination certificate. By 30th April, Vietnam will require a vaccination certificate issued 14 days before entry, a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to entry and at least US$50,000 of travel insurance in COVID treatment coverage. Taiwan will be lowering its compulsory two-week on-arrival quarantine period to only 10 days by mid-March.

 

Constellar appoints M&A Director

MICE venue and events group Constellar Holdings has announced that Luke Han will take on the newly created position of Director of Group Mergers & Acquisitions. He will play an integral role in driving Constellar’s acquisition and growth strategy and bolstering the group’s status within Asia.

VNU AP partners with Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce

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Thailand, 3rd February: VNU Asia Pacific, an international exhibition organiser, has announced a new partnership with the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce (TICC). TICC will officially become a corporate partner of VNU Asia Pacific later in 2022.

Under the terms of the new partnership, TICC will support VNU Asia Pacific with marketing and promotion, with a special focus on two key events: AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Free From Food Asia.

Quick takes

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Hong Kong shoots itself in the foot – again

Monocle offers an accurate short summary of Hong Kong’s unfailing determination to take strong positions against its self-interest. There will be no quick recovery from this for Hong Kong.

 

Where can you go in Asia?

Mix Meetings offers a good short summary of which countries/territories are being sensible and which are not.

 

Thailand to launch a new air show in 2027

This week, TCEB and various key government stakeholders in Thailand announced plans to organise Thailand's first-ever air show in 2027. The event will be held near Pattaya in the country’s developing Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and the show will offer direct competition to the long-established Singapore Airshow.