Alibaba joins government to tackle piracy in China

News this week: China’s largest e-commerce company, Alibaba Group, announced it will partner with five key Chinese government and law enforcement agencies to fight pirated goods online and offline. These organisations will include the Ministry of Public Security, State Administration for Industry & Commerce, General Administration of Quality Supervision, State Intellectual Property Office, and General Administration of Press and Publication.

According to Alibaba at a company press conference, the company will work with the Government through reporting criminal activity, sharing of information, and professional training to identify and shut down factories and other sources of pirated goods. Alibaba reportedly removed a total of more than 94 million alleged infringing listings from its platforms in 2012.

Polo Shao, chief risk officer of Alibaba Group, said, “On e-commerce platforms, every single transaction creates a record, and every piece of information about sellers of counterfeit products is traceable. We are very pleased to be cooperating and coordinating with the appropriate governmental agencies on this important effort in offline and online enforcement.”

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.

Exhibitors up 30% at HOTELEX Shanghai

News this week: Hospitality trade show HOTELEX Shanghai recently concluded to record-breaking attendance at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) covering an exhibiting area of 130,000 m². Co-organised by the Shanghai Tourism Bureau, China Tourism Hotel Association and Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo, HOTELEX Shanghai attracted more than 1,500 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors from 1^st to 3^rd April 2013 – a growth of 30% and 36% respectively over 2012.

This edition of HOTELEX featured an International Premium Area (IPA) for first-tier industry players, as well as VIP programmes for professional buyer groups. Sub-events this year also included the Hotel Uniform Show Competition, Wine-tasting Area, the China Gelato Championship and World Latte Art Championship.

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.

Netsun’s revenue up 45% in Q1

News this week: Shenzhen-listed online sourcing platform, Zhejiang Netsun released its financial results for the year 2012. The company reported revenues of US$26 million, up 11% from 2011. Net profit attributable to shareholders in the year was US$5.8 million, a year-on-year growth of 12%. Earnings per share in the year were RMB 0.22 (US$0.035).

Netsun’s two largest business segments, information promotion services and online services, both generated about US$8.0 million, which accounted for 31% of total revenues.

The Hangzhou-based company also announced its results for the quarter ended 31^st March 2013. Revenues were US$8.3 million – an increase of 45% compared with the same quarter of 2012. However, net profit attributable to shareholders in the period dropped 6.4%, down to US$1.6 million. Earnings per share in the quarter were RMB 0.06 (US$0.0097).

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.

Reed expects a strong year in 2013

News this week: London-listed media group Reed Elsevier released an interim management statement for the first quarter of 2013. Although no actual figures were reported, overall, Reed’s management expects “2013 to be another year of underlying revenue, profit, and earnings growth”.

Excluding biennial exhibition cycling and timing, revenue growth rates of the company’s exhibitions business were maintained at levels similar to the second half of last year, noting in particular that the U.S., Brazil, Japan and emerging markets performed well in the quarter, while Europe saw modest growth.

Looking ahead, Reed’s management expects growth to be good in the U.S. and Japan, but limited in Europe, while strong in other markets. The company also reduced its revenue growth forecast for exhibitions business to 5%-6% in 2013 due to the cycling out of shows.

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.

UBM’s revenue and profit down in Q1

News this week: Earlier this week, London-listed UBM plc released its results for the quarter ended 31^st March 2013. UBM’s revenues were down 7.9% year-on-year from £211.5 million to £194.7 million. Adjusted group operating profits decreased 24% from £46 million to £35 million.

Revenues from the company’s events business, which accounted for more than half of overall revenue, were down 9.7% year-on-year at £109.4 million, compared with last year’s £121.1 million. Adjusted group operating profits decreased from £42 million to £30 million, down 29%. The company attributed the decrease to effects of biennial show cycling and the movement of events between quarters, but noted that shows in the U.S. and emerging markets performed well.

David Levin, CEO of UBM, said: “UBM had the tough first quarter we anticipated, with Events revenues reflecting declines in our UK Built Environment shows. Our portfolio of events in the US and Emerging Markets performed well. Forward bookings are tracking in line with our expectations and we continue to expect strong growth through the balance of the year, particularly in our Emerging Markets events which are weighted to the second half.”

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.

Global Sources acquires stake in Chinese machinery exhibition

News this week: NASDAQ-listed Global Sources announced an agreement has been made to acquire a proportion of the Shenzhen International Machinery Manufacturing Industry Exhibition (SIMM) and its related trade shows. According to the terms of the agreement, Global Sources will acquire a 70% stake in the Shenzhen International Machinery Automation Exhibition and the Shenzhen International Mould Making Technology & Product Exhibition, and a 56% stake in the Shenzhen International Cutlery & Tools Exhibition and the Shenzhen International Metal Processing Industry Exhibition.

Subject to closing conditions, the cost of the acquisition will range from approximately US$11 million to US$16 million depending on the level of its performance. The last edition of SIMM was held from 28^th to 31^st March 2013 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, and attracted around 4,600 booths and more than 75,000 visitors.

Merle A. Hinrich, executive chairman of Global Sources, stated, “Our ownership interest in SIMM further assists us to establish a strong presence in a fast-growing market in China. With SIMM’s dominant presence in the machinery industry, combined with Global Sources’ globally established media platform, the partnership enables both parties to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.”

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.

Alibaba re-launch mobile OS, unveils new online storefronts

News this week: China’s largest e-commerce company Alibaba Group has re-launched its mobile operating system (OS) under the new moniker, Alibaba Mobile Operating System (AMOS), following a last minute cancellation last September when Google stepped in to halt the company’s launch press conference with computer manufacturer Acer.

As part of the company’s push to gain adoption of AMOS, Alibaba will subsidise handset makers RMB 1 (US$0.16) a month for every AMOS-handset sold, and has also setup a US$162 million fund to encourage mobile app developers to build apps for AMOS through a revenue sharing scheme.

Separately, Alibaba.com, Alibaba’s B2B subsidiary, unveiled a free “mini-site” service that offers its Gold Suppliers to customise the design of their online storefront and homepage layout. Alibaba reports that more than 12,000 China Gold Supplier members have switched to the new service since its launch two months ago.

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.

Canton Fair opens to economic uncertainties

News this week: Reportedly Asia’s largest trade fair, the spring edition of the biennial China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), opened earlier this week amid unfavourable market conditions of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, avian flu and rising costs.

According to the latest statistics, China’s year-on-year export growth in March this year slowed to 10%, compared with growth of 21.8% recorded in February. The country’s year-on-year first quarter GDP growth also slowed to 7.7%, down from the 7.9% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.

As a result of rising labour costs and appreciation of the Yuan, one Indian buyer of audio/video equipment reported an increase of more than 50% in price compared to a decade ago. One Taiwanese buyer of auto accessories also claims costs have risen by between 10% and 20% compared to last year.

The spring trade fair reportedly attracted 24,200 exhibiting companies to occupy 59,000 exhibition booths this year.

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.

Sydney Showground announces expansion plan

News this week: Earlier this week, the Sydney Showground announced expansion plans that will see the construction of a new exhibition pavilion in the coming months. The venue recently completed a US$66 million infrastructure upgrade at the Sydney Showground Stadium last year.

The latest expansion will be funded by the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) Board, and will provide around 8,500 m² of additional exhibition space. According to Sydney Showground, space at the venue will total around 11,000 m² at the scheduled completion date of early 2014.

Peter Thorpe, general manager of Sydney Showground, said, “It’s no news to anyone that demand for space will be at a premium from the end of 2013. We need to ensure that our planning is robust and future focussed and that our infrastructure is therefore capable of taking on any challenge that organisers and promoters throw at us.”

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.

More than 10,000 exhibitors attend HKTDC’s April fairs

News this week: Trade fairs organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) this April attracted more than 10,000 exhibitors.

The HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) welcomed more than 1,000 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions from 6^th to 9^th April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). In its fifth edition this year, there were first-time exhibitors from Finland, Greece, India, Macau and the U.S. The fair also highlighted three new zones: the Hall of Display World, the World of Chandeliers and the Small-Order Zone. The four-day trade fair attracted nearly 18,000 buyers.

Asia’s largest spring electronics show, the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), co-locate with the HKTDC International ICT Expo, attracted a total of 3,250 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions. Running from 13^th to 16^th April at the HKCEC, more than 90,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions visited the shows. The Electronics Fair included a new product zone: Bag and Cases zone, while the 10^th ICT Expo reached a new show record of more than 600 exhibitors.

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.

Global Sources’ electronics shows features 3,900+ booths

News this week: NASDAQ-listed Global Sources opened its spring China Sourcing Fair on 12^th April, featuring more than 3,900 booths for electronics, components and security products.

The co-located events, China Sourcing Fairs: Electronics & Components, Security Products and Korea Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components, ran until 15^th April at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Some of the major pre-registered buyers at the events included Auchan, Best Buy, CHUBB, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung, Schneider, Sharp-Roxy and Whirlpool.

Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources Exhibitions, said, “China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components marks its 10^th anniversary this year… In the past decade, the Fair has established itself as a dedicated trade platform and has become a ‘must-attend’ event for buyers sourcing quality consumer electronics from Greater China and Asia.”

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.

ITE expands Asian business through Malaysian JV

News this week: Exhibition organiser ITE Group announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in the exhibitions series Cosmobeauté and Lab from Malaysia-based ECMI Trade Fairs (ECMI) for an undisclosed sum.

As part of the deal, the two companies will establish a joint venture company, ECMI ITE Asia Sdn Bhd, to develop new exhibitions to serve the ASEAN region – focusing particularly on Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Russell Taylor, CEO of ITE, commented, “I am delighted to be joining forces with ECMI to further extend ITE’s regional reach. Our success of developing international standard events in growing and emerging markets, combined with ECMI’s local expertise makes this an exciting partnership in one of ITE’s focus regions.”

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.

Alibaba announces senior appointments and new products

News this week: E-commerce company Alibaba Group has expanded the services provided by its group shopping website, Juhuasuan, to cover Hong Kong and Taiwan. Juhuasuan previously did not support orders outside mainland China. The platform aggregates daily deals of products and services listed on Alibaba’s consumer-focused Taobao Marketplace.

Launched in 2010, Juhuasuan recorded US$3.33 billion in transaction volume last year – more than double its 2011 volume.

Separately, Alibaba announced two new senior management appointments this week. Maggie Wu has been promoted from deputy CFO to CFO replacing long-time CFO, Joe Tsai. Mr. Tsai will become executive vice chairman of the Alibaba Group effective 10^th May 2013. Tsai is one of the 18 co-founders of the Alibaba Group and is also a member of the company’s board of directors.

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.

ABEC launches new events in India with Russian partner

News this week: India-based exhibition organiser Asian Business Exhibitions and Conference (ABEC) announced plans to launch a travel and tourism trade show, International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (IITT), in partnership with the Moscow International Travel Tourism Exhibition (MITT).

The inaugural IITT is expected to cover 10,000 m² at the MMRDA exhibition centre in Mumbai from 16^th to 18^th January 2014.

Manish Gandhi, COO of ABEC and event director of IITT, said, “Launching IITT in India is an initiative to create a domestic and international networking and marketing platform for the travel and tourism Industry, to explore efficient ways of business travel planning and policies.”

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. 

Mack Brooks to launch railway exhibition in Thailand

Bangkok, 9^th April: Mack Brooks Exhibitions, supported by the Ministry of Transport of Thailand (MOT), will launch a new railway equipment, systems and services trade show for the South-East Asia market. Exporail South East Asia – Thailand will take place at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) from 12^th to 14^th March 2014.

The three-day exhibition will showcase products and services from railway equipment and systems suppliers covering rolling stock, signalling, infrastructure and communications, as well as the participation of government authorities.

Michael Wilton, exhibition director of Mack Brooks Exhibitions, stated, “The South East Asian region is experiencing significant growth in terms of GDP as well as an increasing population. This has a knock-on effect on the capacities and capabilities of the current rail networks in the region. Thailand is an obvious place to hold an exhibition to help the region meet these demands.”

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.

1,100 exhibitors at Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei

News this week: The Taipei International Auto Parts and Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA) and Taipei International Automobile Electronics Show (AutoTronics Taipei) opened on 10^th April with record exhibitor numbers.

Approximately 1,100 companies from 13 countries occupied more than 3,000 booths at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Exhibition Hall 1 and Nangang Exhibition Hall. The co-located events will run until 13^th April. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) expects more than 6,500 overseas trade buyers to attend these events.

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.

MIFF 2013 posts record results

Kuala Lumpur, 4^th April: The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), a leading furniture exhibition in South-East Asia, posted record results at its 2013 edition. MIFF ran from 5^th to 9^th March and was held across two venues, the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC).

Organised by UBM, the 2013 MIFF grew 25% compared with the previous edition covering 80,000 m², and featured 504 exhibitors and 18,397 trade visitors. UBM also noted that around 70% of the exhibitors have confirmed their participation in the next edition of MIFF which will run from 4^th to 8^th March 2014 and will once again be held at PWTC and MECC.

Datuk Dr. Tan Chin Huat, Chairman of MIFF, said: “We are delighted at the sales record because MIFF has delivered yet again despite the global economic uncertainties… Another important point I must make is that we are getting more high quality buyers from all over the world. We have very good feedback from the exhibitors who are pleased with their strong order books. This is definitely a big boost for MIFF going into our 20th anniversary next year.”

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.

TCEB partners to develop environment protection guidelines

News this week: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) to develop environmental guidelines and carbon footprint assessment tools for the exhibition industry.

TCEB is promoting two standards related to environmental protection: the energy management standard IOS 50001, and the sustainable management and administration of event business ISO 20121. According to TCEB, the MoU facilitates cooperation in assisting the exhibition industry to find viable ways to reduce an exhibition’s environment impact.

Thongchai Sridama, Committee, acting on behalf of the President of TCEB, commented, “If all MICE operators realise the heart of this issue and adopt the carbon footprint assessment as part of their business operation, it will definitely help create business opportunities particularly among customers… TCEB, as its next step, will expand the direction of carbon footprint assessment to cover other fields of MICE, namely the convention and incentive industries.”

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.

Alibaba and MasterCard sign MoU

News this week: China’s largest e-commerce company, the Alibaba Group, and MasterCard have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing to collaborate in e-commerce business in the future.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two companies aim to join forces to establish an enhanced e-commerce environment to benefit consumers and small businesses. They agreed to work together to help combat intellectual property infringement.

Both companies believe the MoU will help to provide a safe and efficient payment experience for users of Alibaba Group’s platforms. They will also cooperate on innovations on cross-border payments, acceptance, security and risk management.

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.

TTG’s revenues increase 2% in 2012

News this week: Hong Kong-listed China.com has announced its financial results for the year ended 31^st December 2012. The company reported revenues generated from its travel media business (TTG) were US$12 million, up 2.0% year-on-year.

China.com recorded revenues of US$18 million, an increase of 12% over 2011’s results. The remaining US$6 million in revenues were generated from its Internet business.

China.com attributed TTG’s increase in revenues to the successful results of two trade shows: Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meeting in China (IT&CM China) and Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meeting in India (IT&CM India). China.com’s revenue increases to due to organic growth in its Internet portal business.

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.

CEOX appoints new President and CEO

News this week: COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Korea announced the appointment of the new president and CEO, Bo Kyung Byun who will replace Sung Won Hong. Mr. Sung has served the venue in the role of president and CEO for the past three years. The appointment was effective as of 28^th March.

Prior to the appointment, Mr. Byun has experience heading several of Korea’s top information and technology corporations and he was also CEO and president of the Seoul Business Agency, Korea’s organisation offering growth support to SMEs since 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.

TCEB’s appoints new president

News this week: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has appointed Nopparat Maythaveekulchai to be its new president. The former President, Akapol Sorasuchart, resigned March 2012. Mr. Nopparat will assume his new role on 2^nd May. His responsible will be to promote TCEB within Thailand and abroad. Mr. Nopparat was formerly executive vice-president of TOT Plc, Thailand’s largest telecommunications operator.

Mr. Nopparat commented, “I want people, especially Thais, to know and understand [TCEB’s] role and duties for better coordination in the future… My experience in international coordination will help upgrade the bureau and the Mice industry.”

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.

M&A in U.S. down in Q1

News this week: Earlier this week, The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. (JEGI) released its report on media M&A activity in the first quarter in 2013. In the quarter, a total of 353 transactions were completed in the U.S., with a total deal value of US$7.5 billion – compared with 374 transactions and US$12 billion deal value in the first quarter in 2012.

The B2B media sector recorded eight transactions amounting US$102 million in the quarter, up 61% in deal value from US$63 million with nine transactions last year. M&A activity in the B2B online media & technology sector was flat compared with 2012 with a deal value of the 21 transactions in 2013 valued at US$198 million. This compares with a total of US$201 million in deal value generated from 19 transactions in the first quarter of 2012.

There were 16 transactions in the exhibitions & conferences sectors in the first quarter of 2013, compared with 15 recorded last year; however, the deal value dropped 38% from US$263 million in 2012 to US$164 million this year.

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.

UBM Asia expands baby product shows in India

News this week: UBM Asia, a subsidiary of UBM plc, has expanded its China Baby Maternity Industry Expo (CBME) in India. The Indian edition of CBME will be held from 11^th to 13^th April 2013 at Hall VI of the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The CBME India will be similar to the China show and will exhibit categories of maternity & baby care products; baby carriages, car seats & furniture; toys, educational products & souvenirs; children, baby & teenager apparels & footwear; maternity clothing, underwear, hosiery & accessories; and food & health care products.

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.

SIGN China and LED China post double digit growth

News this week: Co-located events, SIGN China and LED China, both reportedly recorded double digit growth in terms of exhibition space, exhibitor numbers and visitor numbers. The two events, organised by UBM Trust (a UBM Asia joint venture company), were held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) in Guangzhou from 1^st to 4^th March.

SIGN China covered a total space of 120,000 m², up 20% compared with 2012. Exhibitor numbers grew by 15.5% to reaching 1,530. While LED China’s total exhibition space was 80,000 m², a year-on-year increase of 14% and it attracted some 1,012 exhibitors, up 12% over the previous year. A total of 77,182 visitors attended both events, a jump of 23% over the 2012 figures.

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.

Australian Motor Show cancels 2013 edition

News this week: The Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) has announced the cancellation of the 2013 edition of the exhibition which was originally scheduled to be held in June in Melbourne.

According to the AIMS organiser, the decision to cancel based on consensus from the local auto industry and it follows a trend of recent suspensions and cancellations of motor shows in in London, Zagreb and Amsterdam. The view of the Australian industry was that due to limited marketing budgets, potential exhibitors planned to allocate spend to activities other than exhibiting. Future editions of the show have not been ruled out.

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.

Interstoff Asia Essential expands seminars on eco topics

News this week: Messe Frankfurt’s Spring edition of the Interstoff Asia Essential exhibition, held earlier this month, recorded a total of 229 exhibitors and 7,244 visitors.

Interstoff Asia Essential – Spring was held from 13^th to 15^th March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The three-day event included a trends forum, fashion shows, a functional fabrics display area and seminar programme focused on three key areas: design & trends, marketing strategy and technology.

Senior General Manager at Messe Frankfurt (HK), Ms Wendy Wen, stated, “We continue to position Interstoff Asia Essential not just as a sourcing fair, but as an event where buyers, exhibitors and designers can get the latest updates and ideas in design and trends, new technologies and eco-friendly products and processes.”

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.

Informa Exhibitions acquires Australian property event

News this week: Informa Australia, part of the Informa Exhibitions, has announced the acquisition of the Australian Home Buyers & Investor Show from Event Management International (EMI). No financial details have been disclosed.

Australian Home Buyers & Investor Show, in its 7^th year, is focused on home buyers and property investors in Australia. According to media reports, the deal also includes another of EMI’s events, Trading & Investing Seminars & Expo, which was launched in 2001 and provides information and education to traders and investors. The two events are held in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Informa Australia is a conference organiser and specialist trade publisher in Australia with its events held across Australia.

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.

SEEC revenues up, profits down

News this week: Hong Kong-listed SEEC Media has reported its financial results for the year ended 31^st December 2012. The company generated revenues of US$67 million, which is an increase of 7.1% over the previous year. Profits for the year dropped 7.9% to US$4.2 million. Dilute earnings per share in 2012 were HK$0.0185 (US$0.0024).

The majority of SEEC’s revenues were generated through advertising agency income, which amounted to US$56 million – or 84% of total revenues. That is a 4.9% year-on-year increase. The remaining revenues were generated through advertising income from conferences & events (US$6.7 million) and sales of books & magazines (US$4.1 million). Advertising income from conferences & events increased 43% over 2011, while sales of books & magazines was down 4.2%.

According to the company, revenues at its flagship magazine, Caijing, grew 18%. The company attributed the drop in profits to increases in the costs of hosting and organising its portfolio of conferences & events.

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.

CCID revenues up 15% in 2012

News this week: Last week, CCID Consulting, the Hong Kong-listed arm of the mainland media group, released its annual results for the year ended 31^st December 2012. The company’s turnover was US$23 million, an increase of 15% over the 2011 result. However, profits recorded a year-on-year decline of 43%, down to US$1.3 million. Diluted earnings per share in 2012 were RMB 0.012 (US$0.0019).

More than 61% of turnover was generated from CCID’s management & strategic consultancy services, amounting US$14 million and representing a 29% year-on-year increase. The second largest business segment was “information supervision services”, which generated revenues of US$4.5 million and accounted for 19% of CCID’s total turnover – that represents a 2.2% decrease compared with 2011. Market consultancy services generated 14% of total revenues (US$3.3 million or 18% of the total). Marketing consultancy services dropped 8.7% compared with the previous year. The remaining income was generated from training & technical services (5.2%) and data information management services (0.5%).

CCID’s management attributed the decrease in profits to increased investment in its subsidiaries and increases in labour costs.

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.