Asia Business Media: March 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015

Messe Frankfurt’s Intertextile Shanghai opens at NECC

News this week: This week, Messe Frankfurt opened the relocated Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition for the first time at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.

A show record of more than 2,600 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions was hosted – up 77% from 2014’s 1,469. The three-day show runs from 18^th to 20^th March occupying more than 100,000 m² of gross exhibition space. Messe Frankfurt reported the attendance of around 180 European suppliers at the SalonEurope pavilion, along with other group and regional pavilions representing India, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan and debutant Kenya.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring is co-located with three concurrent textile industry events: Yarn Expo Spring, PH Value (previously the China International Knitting Trade Fair) and the China International Fashion Fair (CHIC).

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Accor named operator of new Indian venue

News this week: French-based hotel group, Accor, has been appointed as the venue operator of the new Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC). JECC, which opened in November 2014 is located in the industrial-focused area of Sitapura, and sits 5km away from the Jaipur International Airport. The venue was jointly developed by the Dangayach Group and Derewala Group.

JECC houses two exhibition halls with a combined indoor exhibition space of 20,000 m² and another 10,000 m² of outdoor space. The venue’s convention centre can cater up to 1,200 seated delegates. A 241-room Novotel is located on-site and will begin operations in 2016.

Jean-Michel Cassé, senior vice president of Accor India, said, “Accor’s appointment to manage JECC is a reflection of the group’s experience in managing major conference and exhibition facilities across India. In India, we have been the pioneer in the field of Convention Centres, through the Hyderabad International Convention Centre and the Lavasa International Convention Centre and Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach.”

GSA 2015 welcomes over 5,000 visitors

News this week: Earlier this month, Global Security Asia (GSA) concluded its 6^th edition with nearly 200 exhibitors from 32 countries, and welcomed more than 5,000 visitors.

GSA 2015 was held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3^rd to 5^th March. Showcasing the latest trends and technologies in homeland security, the event also included a conference titled “The New Asian Threat Landscape”, which addressed key issues surrounding the ISIS threat to the region.

Andrew Marriott, managing director of GSA Exhibitions Pte Ltd, said, “Our exhibitors and delegates were very positive about what they took away from our show. The various threats to national security keep evolving and growing in new ways and there is no doubt that we will see even stronger interest in MILIPOL Asia-Pacific in 2017, incorporating Global Security Asia, in Singapore, as collaboration across the region deepens.”

Reed Exhibitions Greater China names new president

News this week: This week, Reed Exhibitions Greater China, a subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions, announced its current president, Nat Wong, will be succeeded by Mr. Hu Wei on 16^th April 2015. Wong became president of the company in 2012. He leaves Reed Exhibitions China with nine member companies serving 12 industry verticals with 58 events to date.

Hu Wei, a native of Tianjin, has previous experience in China and the U.S. with Best Buy and Ace Hardware Corporation. Hu has already joined-up with the management team to understudy Nat Wong prior to his official appointment date. In 2015, Reed will see a number of major show launches take place in China including The Health Industry Summit (tHIS) and Shanghai Comic Convention.

Paul Beh, regional president of Reed Exhibitions Asia-Pacific, commented, “We owe a lot to Nat for his contributions. Over this period of time, he has been instrumental in growing the business and we have seen RX GC scaling greater heights with expansion into new markets through acquisitions and launches of which I am fully appreciative and proud of.”

470+ exhibitors at UBM’s Indonesian furniture show

News this week: Reportedly Indonesia’s largest furniture trade show, Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX) 2015, ran for four days from 12^th to 15^th March at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo). Organised by PT Dyandra UBM International, a joint venture company of UBM Asia and Dyandra, IFEX utilised all halls at JIExpo as well as several large temporary halls.

More than 470 exhibitors showcased a wide range of contemporary and traditional furniture products, with a special focus on wooden and rattan furniture products. Highlighting the importance of the furniture industry and furniture exports for the country’s economy, the show was opened by Indonesia’s President, Mr. Joko Widodo. The organiser expected to attract around 8,000 trade buyers.

Ernst K. Remboen, president director of PT Dyandra UBM International, commented, “The furniture industry in Indonesia is enjoying very robust growth on the back of strong exports and surging domestic demand. The nation has abundant supplies of sustainable raw materials such as wood, rattan, bamboo and natural textiles, as well as a highly skilled labour force and extensive manufacturing capacity. The size of IFEX is expanding each year, and I expect that it will soon become one of the key events in the global calendar of furniture exhibitions.”

HKTDC’s jewellery shows hit record number of exhibitors

News this week: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) held its jewellery fairs, Hong Kong International Diamond Gem & Pearl Show and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show under the “Two Shows, Two Venues” arrangement for a second time – which set a new record for number of exhibitors featuring more than 4,360 exhibitors from 52 countries and regions.

The 2^nd Hong Kong International Diamond Gem & Pearl Show showcased loose stones and raw materials from 2^nd to 6^th March at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). The 32^nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 4^th to 8^th March, focused on finished jewellery collections. More than 76,000 buyers from 140 countries and regions visited the two shows, an increase of 2% over 2014.

Benjamin Chau, HKTDC’s deputy executive director, said, “Despite the global economic challenge, the two shows recorded a slight increase in buyer attendance. It is a very encouraging result. Attendance from some traditional markets even recorded double-digit percentage growth, such as the U.S., Italy, the U.K. and Japan. Attendance from certain emerging markets such as Thailand, Israel and South Africa also recorded significant growth, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading jewellery sourcing hub.”

Monday, March 16, 2015

TCEB unveils new strategic development plans

News this week: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has announced its strategic plan to further develop the international and mega events sector. The three-pronged strategic plan includes: the Win Strategy, Promote Strategy and Develop Strategy.

Under the Win Strategy, TCEB will provide support to international festivals and mega events, and also encourage MICE-friendly cities to organise regular large scale events. While the Promote Strategy involves organising international roadshows in key overseas markets, TCEB will facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors as part of its Develop Strategy.

Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of TCEB, revealed, “The clear strategic direction helps reaffirm our role as a solutions provider to for all touch points of the festivals and events franchise, from bidding facilitation and linkage to international networks, to partnership establishment and international marketing activities, audit research, and re-bidding.”

U.S. exhibition industry grows 1.7% in Q4

News this week: The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reported its Index report for the fourth quarter 2014. The U.S. exhibition industry recorded growth for 18 consecutive quarters – which was up 1.7% year-on-year during the reported period.

All four criteria used in the research, net square feet sold, number of exhibitors, number of attendees and revenues posted increases. The number of attendees saw the highest growth with 2.6%. This was followed by revenues (up 2.1%), net square feet sold (up 2.0%), and number of exhibitors (up 0.2%).

CEIR’s economist and chief economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates, Inc., Allen Shaw, Ph.D., said, “With the fourth quarter’s results and 18 consecutive quarters of growth and our predictions closely matching outcomes, we are confident in the continued growth and progress of the industry.”

Pico Thailand’s revenue drops 24% in Q1

News this week: Last week, Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, released its financial results for the quarter ended 31st January 2015. Revenues in the quarter were US$6.7 million, a year-on-year decrease of 24%. The company recorded a net profit of US$16,000, dropping from last year’s US$168,000. Earnings per share in the period were Baht 0.002.

Pico Thailand attributed the decreases in revenue and profit to the country’s political uncertainty and recovering economy. Additionally, the company cited a significant amount of revenue in the previous financial year was generated by a large-scale project, ITU Telecom World.

Two new convention venues planned for New Zealand

News this week: Convention and Incentive New Zealand (CINZ) announced plans to build two new convention centres – New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland and Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre (CCEC) in Christchurch.

NZICC can host events of up to 3,500 delegates, and will feature a 3,000-seat arena and exhibition space. The venue is scheduled to open in the second half of 2017. CCEC, meanwhile, will have 4,000 m² of exhibition space, a tiered and divisible meeting space for up to 1,500 participants. CCEC is scheduled to be in operation by late 2017.

CINZ’s chief executive, Sue Sullivan, was quoted saying, “New Zealand is working to become a major player in the international convention business. A facility in Auckland catering for 3,000 delegates will allow New Zealand to host conferences of a size not seen here before. It will give us the ability to tan into market we’ve been shut out in the past because we simply haven’t had venues big enough to cater to their needs.”

MIFF features 500-plus exhibitors

News this week: Last week, UBM Malaysia, a subsidiary of UBM Asia, held the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) from 3^rd to 6^th March 2015 over two venues – the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC).

According to UBM, the five-day fair featured more than 500 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, of which 10% were first-time exhibitors. MIFF covered 80,000 m² of exhibition space with exhibitor product categories including furniture of dinning, bedroom, living room, office, children, occasional, and also furniture fittings and hardware.

Dato’ Dr. Tan Chin Huat, chairman of MIFF, said, “The overall response reflects the importance of MIFF as a highly effective trade platform in the international market place, one that stands out for value, quality, variety and world class show experience. Our goal is always to continue and develop MIFF to benefit exhibitors and buyers alike.”

Record turnout at 10th UFI Open Seminar in Asia

News this week: This year UFI (The Global association of the Exhibition Industry) celebrates the 10^th edition of its Open Seminar in Asia and the exhibition industry turned out in full force to mark the occasion. More than 300 delegates from 21 countries and territories gathered in Hong Kong for Asia’s most important event serving exhibition industry professionals.

This year, the seminar returned to Hong Kong which also hosted the inaugural edition in 2006. The seminar was co-hosted by both the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and it was held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Paul Woodward, UFI’s Managing Director, stated, “It is gratifying to see so many senior exhibition industry representatives from across Asia supporting UFI’s most important event in the region. The scale of this week’s seminar in Hong Kong is a testament to the strength of the industry in Asia. Approximately one third of UFI’s global membership is now located in this region, with more than 220 members across 15 Asian markets. UFI looks forward to building on this track record of growth and success in the decade ahead.”

Asia Business Media