HKECIA updates members on industry trends

Hong Kong, 23rd June: The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) held its annual conference in June. More than 130 participants attended the physical conference held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), which updated members and industry players about the latest industry trends and the government’s plans to help tourism recover.

Participants showed particular interest in analysis of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry from both the global and regional perspectives. Insights on how Hong Kong’s exhibition industry could tap into opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the roadmap to unrestricted international business travel were other popular sessions.

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 2022)

Quick takes

First hybrid MICE meetings space launched in Macau

Sands China has unveiled the first hybrid meeting space in Macau, Smart Stage at The Londoner Macao, an Extended Reality (XR) studio. It offers professional broadcast quality live-streaming capability and hologram functionality, allowing presenters to interact with real-time visual markers to deliver a more authentic experience.

Hong Kong government creates new tourism body

The Government of the Hong Kong SAR has formed a new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), to be headed by Kevin Yeung, the former secretary for education. In addition, a new Travel Industry Authority (TIA) will be in place from 1st September 2022, overseeing licensing and regulating travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts.

Macau experiences decline in visitor arrivals

Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) announced a total of 600,748 visitor arrivals in May 2022, a decline of 30.6% year-on-year, and a drop of 1.0% month-on-month. Numbers of same-day visitors (358,920) and overnight visitors (241,828) decreased by 8.5% and 49% year-on-year, respectively.

India Exposition Mart receives approval for IPO

India, 22nd June: India Exposition Mart Ltd, a leading integrated exhibitions and conventions venue in India, announced that it has received capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) approval to raise Rs 6 trillion (US$77 million) through an initial public offering (IPO).

According to the draft red herring prospectus, the IPO comprises the fresh issue of equity shares of up to Rs 4.5 trillion (US$58 million) and an Offer For Sale (OFS) of up to 11,210,659 equity shares by existing shareholders.

SCMP appoints new CEO

Hong Kong, 15th June: The South China Morning Post (SCMP) announced the appointment of Catherine So as Chief Executive Officer, effective 15th July 2022. She will succeed Gary Liu, who will transition into a new role to oversee the development of Artifact Labs, a new blockchain and NFT company created by SCMP.

Under the new role, Catherine So will bring her leadership experience in media and technology, strong track record for corporate transformation and innovation, and success in growing consumer-focused companies. She is also experienced in digitalisation, audience development and content commercialization; and will be responsible for SCMP’s next stage of audience and subscriber growth.

Constellar appoints Chua Wee Phong as Chief Executive (Venues)

Singapore, 20th June: Constellar appointed its current Chief Executive (Markets), Mr Chua Wee Phong, as Chief Executive (Venues), effective from 1st July 2022.

Since February 2021, Mr Chua has served as Chief Executive (Markets) at Constellar, bringing experience and knowledge of consumer verticals in the exhibition space, and an extensive network of industry players in Singapore and Asia. In his new role, Mr Chua will be instrumental in evolving the Singapore EXPO business as it embarks on a new growth strategy to drive the recovery of the sector.

Informa reports robust trading

London, 16th June: Last week Informa PLC, an international B2B markets and digital services group, issued a trading update reconfirming its full year guidance on the back of robust year-on-year trading, and reported its progress on the 2021-2024 Growth Acceleration Plan II (GAP II).

According to the group, Live Events continue to return at pace across North America, the Middle East, Europe, ASEAN and Latin America. Customer demand was stronger than anticipated and post-show feedback was also positive, with high levels of rebooking, back to pre-pandemic levels. This year, more than 200 Live Event brands have been held by Informa Markets around the world, featuring over 25,000 exhibitors and attracting more than 1 million participants.

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 2022)

Quick takes

ASM Global launches training

ASM Global has announced plans to launch a multilingual training programme named “ASM Global Academy.” It will serve the group’s workforce of 61,000 employees, offering more than 1,800 multi-language content courses.

Jimé Essink on new venture

Exhibition World caught up with former CEO of Informa Markets Asia, Jimé Essink. He discussed his latest ventures including VenueScout, a digital platform enabling event organisers to evaluate and find the best venues.

MCH appoints new CEO

It seems that James Murdoch & Co. have finally settled on a new CEO. As of 1st July, Florian Faber will become Group CEO. He will take over from former CFO, Beat Zwahlen, who succeeded Bernd Stadlwieser. Faber has been with MCH since 2009.

Taiwan reduces quarantine for arrivals to three days

Taiwan, 13th June: Earlier this week, Taiwan announced its latest easing of COVID-related rules, reducing its mandatory quarantine for all arrivals from seven to three days as of 15th June 2022.

However, visitors need to continue to monitor their health for another four days after completion of the quarantine period. In addition, other COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. According to media reports, the number of overseas arrivals permitted to enter Taiwan will be limited to just 25,000 a week.

Japan reopens with tight regulations

Japan, 14th June: Tourists from 98 countries have been allowed to enter Japan as of 10th June 2022. This comes after more than two years of closed international borders.

However, local travel agents complain that the recovery of Japan’s travel and hospitality industries will be limited due to tight rules maintained by the Japan Tourism Agency. Tourists must join a tour conducted by a Japan-registered travel agency and agree to abide by the government’s COVID-19 control measures. Tourists will also have to secure a visa and private health insurance before entering the country.

GIFA and METEC Indonesia launch in 2023

Indonesia, 9th June: GIFA and METEC Indonesia will be held for the first time in Jakarta next year, serving Indonesia’s metallurgy and foundry industry.

Running from 13th to 16th September 2023, the shows will be organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia (MDA) in Singapore, a subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf Group and PT Pamerindo Indonesia, a leading trade fair organiser in Indonesia which is also part of Informa Markets.

The new events will showcase machines, plants and technologies from additive manufacturing, foundry machines and processing plants to new technologies for user industries in various vertical markets.

Pico Thailand’s revenues up 55% in Q2

Bangkok, 10th June: Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, has released its results for the quarter ended 30th April 2022. Revenues in the quarter were US$7.3 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 55%.

The company posted a net profit of US$16,000, compared with a net loss of US$321,000 in the same quarter last year. Pico’s management attributed the results to the Thai government’s easing of COVID-19 controls, as well as the economic recovery that has begun in Thailand.

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 2022)

Quick takes

Thailand welcomes return of international MICE events

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) rolled out a new business events brand at IMEX Frankfurt, Thailand MICE – Meet the Magic, which aims to revitalise and re-energise the industry after two years without international travel. This year’s first large convention is the 2022 Global Summit Women, scheduled for 23-25 June, which will welcome over 1,000 participants from more than 60 countries.

Pet Fair South East Asia comes to Bangkok

Organised by the VNU Group, Pet Fair South East Asia – The ASEAN Pet Industry Partnership Hub for Distribution, Retail and Sourcing – is set to take place from 26-28 October at the BITEC Exhibition Centre in Bangkok. The event is the first fully B2B pet industry tradeshow platform for South East Asia’s fast-emerging pet markets.

Messe Muenchen India partners with ICEA

Messe Muenchen India and the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) will join forces to focus on display manufacturing at electronica India 2022 and productronica India 2022, to be held from 21-23 September at India Exposition Mark Ltd. in Greater Noida. The partnership supports the government’s vision to increase self-reliance in India’s electronics manufacturing sector.

South Korea eases restrictions on travel

From 8th June, South Korea will remove quarantine requirements for unvaccinated foreigners and ease restrictions on international flights. The number of flights allowed to land at Incheon is being increased from 20 to 40 flights per hour, and a previous flight curfew from 20:00 to 05:00 has been lifted. International travellers are still required to present a negative PCR test result prior to entry and within 72 hours after arrival.

Phase 2 of China National Convention Center to Open in 2024

Beijing, 30th May: China National Convention Center, Phase 2 (CNCC-II), located in the Beijing Olympic Green Area in the north of Beijing, served as the Main Media Center (MMC) for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The venue is now undergoing transformation into a flexible events venue, aiming to open in 2024.

CNCC-II will feature 420,000 m2 of floor space and 270,000 m2 of meeting and event space in three floors. The first will include a 7,300 m2 divisible plenary hall and 30,000 m2 of exhibition floor space. On the second floor, it will have over 35,000 m2 of function space with meeting rooms in sizes from 100 to 2,000 m2. The top floor will see over 35,000 m2 of function space comprising three banquet halls and two gardens. In addition, there will be over 30 VIP lounges spread across the three floors. The centre complex will also comprise an office building, boutique retail outlets and two hotels.

Messe Frankfurt India’s run of 9 shows in May

India, 3rd June: Messe Frankfurt India, the Indian subsidiary of international exhibition organiser, Messe Frankfurt, hosted nine physical exhibitions and conferences in May, introducing leading innovations by over 600 companies and attracting over 50,000 visitors from 57 countries and 6 continents.

The nine events included the Mumbai debut of Gartex Texprocess India, Denim Show alongside Screen Print India, the Paperworld India, Corporate Gifts Show, Interior Lifestyle India presented by Ambiente India, Media Expo and LED Expo fairs, and the NGV (Natural Gas Vehicles) India Summit.

Global Exhibitions Day 2022 shows value of physical exhibitions

Paris, 3rd June: The seventh edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) took place on 1st June 2022. This year’s GED focused on the irreplaceable value of physical exhibitions and face-to-face business events in creating platforms for economic growth and recovery.

The exhibition industry is seeing the re-emergence of face-to-face events as the world moves past the pandemic. GED 2022 reached more than 800 million people around the world online, through social media and web posts, messages and comments.

Melbourne is back for business events

Melbourne, 2nd June: Earlier this month, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) attended IMEX Frankfurt, showing the international market everything Melbourne has to offer as a destination. Resulting demand for business events in Melbourne has bounced back faster than expected.

The Australian team also demonstrated how business events can be conducted safely and effectively in Melbourne with COVID-prevention measures in place. They expect to welcome 17,600 international delegates attending 25 business events in Melbourne before the end of 2022.