Asia Business Media: July 2013

Friday, July 26, 2013

UBM Asia’s jewellery fairs launch ID card system

News this week: UBM plc’s subsidiary, UBM Asia, has launched a new Trade Buyer ID Card system for visitors attending jewellery shows organised by the company worldwide. UBM Asia’s portfolio of jewellery shows are held across mainland China, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, Turkey, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The ID card system was first launched in 2012 for the mainland China and Hong Kong editions. Registered trade visitors can now attend all of UBM’s jewellery shows without having to register for a visitor’s badge. According to UBM, over 10,000 jewellery buyers from 92 countries and regions are now registered users of the Trade Buyer ID Cards. The Trade Buyer ID Card is valid until December 2015.

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Baidu’s revenue up 39% in Q2

News this week: Market leading Chinese-language Internet search provider, Baidu, reported revenues of US$1.2 billion for the quarter ended 30^th June 2013, a 39% year-on-year increase. However, net income attributable to the company dropped by 4.5% from last year, amounting to US$431 million. Diluted earnings per share in the period were RMB 7.52 (US$1.22).

In the second quarter of 2013, the number of active online marketing customers jumped by 33% over 2012 reaching 468,000. Revenue per online marketing customer in the period was US$2,623, a rise of 3.9% over last year.

Baidu’s management expects revenues in the third quarter to be between US$1.46 billion and US$1.46 billion, representing an increase of 40%-43% over the third quarter in 2012. Revenues generated in the third quarter of 2012 were US$995 million.

Exhibitors up 8.7% at Reed’s Japan pharmaceutical show

News this week: The 26^th edition of Interphex Japan reported an 8.7% increase in the number of exhibitors to 970, rising from 892 recorded in 2012. Organised by Reed Exhibitions Japan, the annually-held pharmaceutical trade show was hosted at the Tokyo Big Sight.

Interphex Japan took place from 10^th to 12^th July along with the co-located pharmaceutical ingredients show, In-Pharma Japan. This year’s show was divided into 11 areas including the Materials Process Zone, BioPharm, Water Production and Control, Logistics, and Plant Engineering.

SEAFIE rescheduled to launch at MIFF 2014

News this week: Recently, UBM Asia announced a new schedule for the inaugural edition of Southeast Asia Furniture & Interiors Import-Expo Exhibition (SEAFIE), moving from the original date of 13^th to 16^th September 2013 to coincide with the 20^th anniversary of Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) to take place from 4^th to 8^th March 2014.

The two events will be held across two venues in Kuala Lumpur, the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC). According to UBM Malaysia, the re-scheduling was in response to the level of interest shown by registered exhibitors. Instead, a specially designated SEAFIE Hall will be allocated to exhibitors at MIFF 2014, targeting the mid-to-high-end furniture segment.

Aviation event to be held at Singapore Expo

News this week: Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre will be the host venue for the aviation event, MRO Asia, from 2013 to 2015. Singapore EXPO and MAX Atria will host the first MRO Asia Conference & Exhibition 2013 from 29^th to 31^st October.

The three-day event focuses on the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector targeting OEM’s, airlines and MRO suppliers. The event’s exhibition element will feature aviation MRO products, strategies and solutions, while the conference will highlight topics on issues and concerns surrounding the MRO domain. Panel discussions and case studies will form parts of the event.

MyCEB moves into China

News this week: The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) announced its expansion into mainland China with the appointment of Travel Link Marketing (TLM) as a local representative effective 1^st July this year. TLM’s appointment will see the marketing company operate representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

TLM is also planning to open a new office in Chengdu, and will be responsible for developing leads for MyCEB in China’s business events market. Last year, MyCEB reported the securing of 26 association meetings in Malaysia over the next five years.

Friday, July 19, 2013

More than 1,260 exhibitors gathered at HKTDC’s fashion show

News this week: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) recently concluded the 20^th edition of its Fashion Week for Spring/Summer with 1,268 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The four-day trade show ran from 8^th to 11^th July and featured the latest brand designs, international fashion, accessories, as well as various fabrics and sewing supplies. The HKTDC organised close to 30 events during the show, which included fashion shows, seminars and networking cocktails, in addition to 88 overseas buying missions.

TCEB appoints new vice president & director of exhibitions

News this week: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) announced two senior management promotions following the recent appointment of Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai as its new president earlier in May.

TCEB’s former exhibition director, Supawan Teerarat, has been appointed as new vice president to manage the bureau’s overall strategy and business development. Prior joining TCEB, she has worked in senior positions at various exhibition venues and companies.

Singex launches “Internet of Things” Expo

News this week: Singex Group and the Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA) will co-organise a new trade event, Internet of Things (IoT) Asia, from 21^st to 22^nd April 2014 at the Singapore Expo Convention & Exhibition Centre.

IoT Asia is an exhibition and conference event focusing on the IoT and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications industries. The inaugural event will be co-located with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing (ISSNIP) Conference and supported by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.

IoT Asia is reportedly the first IoT event in the region and the organisers expect the event will feature about 100 exhibiting companies and 5,000 visitors, covering 5,000 m² of exhibition space.

ITE’s performance in-line with expectations

News this week: International exhibition organiser, ITE Group plc, released its Interim Management Statement for the three months ended 30^th June 2013. Revenues in the period were £95 million (US$145 million), compared with 2012’s £76 million (US$116 million). The group attributed part of the increase to its biennial event, Moscow International Oil & Gas and revenues from Metaltech, acquired in January 2013. Excluding these effects, like-for-like revenues in the quarter were up 8% over the previous year.

In the quarter, ITE also acquired 50% of ECMI in Malaysia for an initial consideration of US$2.6 million and a deferred consideration of US$1.4 million. The group also holds options to acquire additional equity in 2017 and 2019.

The Malaysian subsidiary of ITE Group, ECMI ITE Asia, announced it will launch a new Cosmobeauté exhibition in Myanmar. The professional beauty industry event is currently held in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. The new Myanmar edition will be held at the Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon from 6^th to 8^th June 2014.

Alibaba’s revenue up 71% in Q1

News this week: According to Yahoo’s latest regulatory filing, China’s largest e-commerce company, Alibaba Group, recorded revenue of US$1.38 billion in the first quarter ended March 2013 – up 71% over the US$806 million in Q1 2012. Net income during the period was US$669 million, an impressive jump of 204% from the US$220 million recorded in 2012.

The company reported first quarter income from operations of US$709 million, compared to the US$213 million recorded last year.

Yahoo currently holds a stake of approximately 24% in Alibaba Group. Alibaba completed the buyback of 20% of shares from Yahoo for US$7.6 billion in September 2012. According to financial industry analysts, an Alibaba Group IPO is expected sometime this year or in 2014.

UBM’s June jewellery fair sets new record

News this week: The June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair concluded last month with new record attendance figures. Organised by UBM Asia, the show attracted a new record of 1,841 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions, and more than 25,900 visitors from 113 countries and regions.

The four-day trade show took place at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 20^th to 23^rd June 2013. UBM Asia reported the largest overseas visitor groups originated from mainland China (8,029), India (894), Taiwan (791), the Philippines (627), the U.S. (537), Japan (525), Thailand (525), Korea (462), Indonesia (372), Singapore (279) and Australia (277).

The next edition of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair will take place at the HKCEC from 19^th to 22^nd June 2014.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Glebe Island exhibition contracts agreed

News this week: The management agency of Sydney’s Darling Harbour redevelopment, Infrastructure NSW (INSW), has announced four contracts to build an interim exhibition centre at Glebe Island have been finalised and early site work will begin this month. The interim exhibition space is expected to open in time for the start of Sydney’s 2014 exhibition season, which begins in February.

The interim facilities will be named the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island, and will include 20,000 m² of pavilion-style exhibition space, an additional 5,000 m² of temporary expansion space, food and beverage facilities, loading-docks, as well as storage and waste management facilities.

The existing convention and exhibition facilities at Darling Harbour will close in December this year for the development of the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition & Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP).

ITE to launch Paperex Indonesia in 2014

News this week: ECMI Trade Fairs, a Malaysia-based member company of London-listed ITE Group, will partner with Indonesian exhibition organiser PT Prakarsa Sinergi Utama to jointly launch Paperex Indonesia in 2014.

Reportedly, the first major international pulp and paper trade show in Indonesia, Paperex Indonesia will run from 3^rd to 4^th December 2014 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). The show will also feature a “World Paper Forum” and other seminars. ITE’s Paperex portfolio also includes Paperex India and Paper+, both held in India.

Richard Wightman, ITE Group’s head of marketing, commented, “This launch further demonstrates our commitment to expanding our event portfolio in Southeast Asia. The outlook for the paper and pulp sector in Indonesia is very promising and we are looking forward to working with new and existing Paperex customers who are keen to develop their business in the region.”

UBM Asia to jointly launch Indonesian expo

News this week: UBM Asia will launch a furniture expo in Indonesia with the Indonesia Furniture Association (AMKRI) in 2014. The exhibition, named Indonesia International Furniture Exposition (IFEX), will be held in the two key venues in Jakarta.

IFEX will be held at the Jakarta International Expo (JI Expo) from 11^th to 14^th March and at Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) from 12^th to 15^th March. The Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry will support the event. The exhibition will showcase a variety of furniture types.

Christopher Eve, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia said, “Indonesia has a vast furniture industry and it is ready to further expand its already substantial export potential. Indonesia’s strengths lay in its manufacturers’ high level of craftsmanship, manufacturing capacity and traditional as well as modern designs. We are proud to partner with the AMKRI, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Industry to create higher business platforms, opportunities and visibility to the Indonesian furniture industry.”

UFI’s survey: growth expected across global exhibition industry

News this week: Last week, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the results of its 11^th Global Exhibition Barometer Survey, with a majority of the participating companies reporting an expected increase in revenues in 2014.

According to the survey, about 75% of the companies that replied to the survey expect their revenues to increase in the first half of 2014. In terms of operating profit, more than half of the companies in America and 30%-40% in all other regions expect an increase of more than 10% for 2013. However, only 10% of the companies believe the economic crisis will end in 2013, 37% in 2014, while another 42% in 2015.

Paul Woodward, UFI Managing Director commented, “These results indicate a positive outlook across all regions in terms of turnover increase. Exhibitions continue to be an excellent indicator of economic development. While remaining cautious about the global economic environment, these current survey results are good news for us all.”

HKTDC exhibition revenues flat in 2012/13

News this week: Earlier this week, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) published its annual report for the financial year ended 31^st March 2013. Revenues generated from exhibitions and trade missions were flat compared with the previous year at US$210 million. Overall, the HKTDC’s total revenues, including the government subvention of US$49 million, were US$322 million – a year-on-year growth of 2.7%.

Revenues from product magazines and its online marketplace were US$25 million, increased by 1.0% over 2012. The operations of the HKTDC-owned Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) generated revenues of US$21 million, up 7.7% year-on-year.

HKTDC Executive Director, Fred Lam, quoted in the annual report, “Fiscal 2012/13 was challenging year for Hong Kong exporters… Yet even a difficult environment will yield opportunities. With emerging and mature market economies seeking robust regions with which to trade, we made progress by promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s central business district. Building on our city’s economic advantages, we continued our series of overseas mega-promotions in select mature markets.”

Global Sources expects strong attendance at Shenzhen fashion show

News this week: NASDAQ-listed Global Sources expects the upcoming China International Fashion Brand Fair – Shenzhen (FashionSZshow) to host more than 3,000 booths, covering over 70,000 m² of exhibition space at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (SZCEC).

The FashionSZshow is co-located with the Shenzhen International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories and the Shenzhen Textile Equipment Fair. FashionSZshow will run from 11^th to 13^th July. More than 100,000 international and local visitors are expected to attend.

In a separate announcement, Global Sources announced its China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components is sold out three months ahead of the show, which will run 12^th to 15^th October this year at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in Hong Kong.

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