ICCA reports over 10,000 meetings held in 2011

News this week: According to International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), there were more than 10,000 regularly occurring association events in 2011, compared to 9,120 in 2010.

The top three ranked countries in 2011 are the same as in 2010: the USA (759 meetings), Germany (577 meetings) and Spain (463 meetings). In Asia, China (8^th worldwide) ranked first in the region with 302 meetings held last year, while Japan with 233 meetings dropped from 7^th to 13^th due to cancellations caused by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

In Malaysia, there were 126 meetings in 2011, of which 78 were held in Kuala Lumpur, up from 119 in 2010. Malaysia’s global ranking was 29^th in 2011 and seventh in the Asia Pacific/ Middle East region.

In terms of city rankings, Vienna was number one worldwide with 181 meetings. Singapore was 5^th, the highest ranking Asian city with 142 meetings and Beijing was 10^th with 111 meetings in 2011.

This post is excerpted from BSG's weekly e-newsletter which is part of our subscription research service, BSG Tracker. Visit our website to find out more about this service. You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.

ART HK to be re-branded Art Basel in Asia

News this week: Following the acquisition of the Hong Kong International Art Fair (ART HK) by MCH Group last year, the event will be re-branded, “Art Basel in Asia” next year.

ART HK 2012, in its fifth edition ran from 17^th to 20^th May, attracted the participation of 266 galleries from 38 countries worldwide and a record 67,205 visitors to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The inaugural edition of the Art Basel in Asia will also be held at the HKCEC from 23^rd to 26^th May 2013 with a preview on 22^nd May. The new fair will be directed by Magnus Renfrew, who is the current director of ART HK.

Renfrew commented, “The progress that the Fair has made over the last five years has been extraordinary. We have had a strong attendance from both the international art world and from the local Hong Kong community. The quality of work on show demonstrates how seriously galleries are now taking Asia. It will take time to develop the market here but we have witnessed this week an increased openness internationally in engaging with work from different cultural and aesthetic backgrounds and sales have been solid.”

This post is excerpted from BSG's weekly e-newsletter which is part of our subscription research service, BSG Tracker. Visit our website to find out more about this service. You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.

Suntec in the running for Darling Harbour bid

News this week: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Services is part of the ‘VeNuSW’ consortium bidding to design, build and operate the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) at Darling Harbour. Suntec believes their strong Asian network will provide the edge needed to win the bid over their biggest competitor ‘Destination Sydney’ led by AEG Ogden.

Ong Wee Min, Suntec’s chief commercial officer, explained they are marketing-driven and their strength lies in the company’s global client network managed by around 40 sales professionals around the world.

The new facilities will include 40,000 m² of exhibition space and 6,000 m² of meeting room space. Convention and banqueting capacity are expected to cater to 10,000 and 2,000 people respectively, along with an entertainment venue capable of hosting at least 8,000.

The ‘VeNuSW’ consortium is led by Plenary Group and Brookfield Multiplex. In addition to Suntec, other members of the consortium include Brookfield Multiplex Services, Life Nation Entertainment and MCI.

Bidding results will be announced at the end of 2012. The expansion project is scheduled for completion by 2015-2016.

This post is excerpted from BSG's weekly e-newsletter which is part of our subscription research service, BSG Tracker. Visit our website to find out more about this service. You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.