Asia Business Media

Friday, February 28, 2014

TCEB reports MICE arrivals up 5% in Q1

News this week: The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) recently released 2014 first quarter results of Thailand’s MICE industry. Covering the period from October to December 2013, the country received 186,864 MICE visitors who contributed US$491.8 million to the local economy – that is up 5% and 6% respectively compared with the same quarter in 2013.

Highlighting the Oceania market, TCEB revealed a growth of 13% and 14% respectively in the number of MICE visitor arrivals and revenues generated during the quarter. In particular, TCEB noted visitor arrivals from China recorded significant growth during quarter – up 177% over the same period in 2013.

According to TCEB, the international convention business accounted for the largest share of Thailand’s MICE market, measured by both visitor arrivals (58,682) and revenues generated (US$178 million). Looking ahead, TCEB projects an overall 5% growth in visitor arrivals and a 10% growth in revenues for the full year in 2014.

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UBM to launch beauty trade show in Thailand

News this week: UBM Asia has recently announced plans to launch a new health and beauty trade show, ASEANbeauty, in Thailand in 2015. The three-day show is supported by the Thai Cosmetics Manufacturers Association, and will serve the South East Asia region. ASEANbeauty will take place from 8^th to 10^th April 2015 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

Exhibitor product categories at the show will include perfumery, cosmetics and toiletries, professional care products, natural health products, health food & beverages amongst others.

M. Gandhi, managing director of UBM ASEAN Business, said, “Visitors can expect to meet over 200 leading suppliers covering personal care, skin care, hair care, nail care including cosmetics, fragrances, raw ingredients, salon supplies, natural heath products, hair products, nails and accessories from Asia and countries around the world in a truly global marketplace.”

Glebe Island receives mostly positive reviews after inaugural fair

News this week: According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, Glebe Island Expo’s inaugural event, the Reed Gift Fair Sydney February, which took place at the 25,000 m² interim venue in Sydney has successfully concluded – with only some minor complaints received from attendees’ feedback.

The most common issue attendees faced at the five-day trade show, held from 15^th to 19^th February 2014, centred on delays caused by transportation. The main modes of transportation to the venue consist of the free shuttle bus and ferry services, as well as limited paid parking on-site. According to some reports, visitors had to wait up to 90 minutes for the bus service.

Debbie Evans, managing director of Reed Exhibitions Australia, acknowledged issues such as the scheduling of buses and ferries were to be expected, but was pleased with the new site overall, adding, “…we jumped onto them really quickly. The feedback we got from Tuesday onwards was really very positive.”

Baidu’s revenues up 43% in 2013

News this week: NASDAQ-listed Baidu, the leading Chinese-language Internet search provider, reported its results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year in 2013. Revenues in the year were US$5.3 billion – a year-on-year growth of 43%. The company posted a net income in 2013 of US$1.7 billion, flat with the previous year. Diluted earnings per share in the period were RMB 29.93 (US$4.94).

Most of Baidu’s revenues were generated from its online marketing services. In 2013, the company had about 753,000 active online marketing customers, up 26% compared with 2012. Revenue per customer was US$6,971 in 2013 – a year-on-year growth of 13%.

For the quarter ended 31^st December, revenues were up 50% reaching US$1.6 billion, while net income attributable to shareholders was flat compared with last year, at US$460 million. Baidu’s management expects revenues in the first quarter of 2014 to be between US$1.53 billion and US$1.57 billion, representing an increase of between 54.8% and 59.5% year-on-year.

CEIR: 3% growth in U.S. exhibition industry in Q4

News this week: Earlier this week, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released its index measuring the performance of the exhibition industry in the U.S. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the U.S. exhibition industry posted a 3% growth year-on-year – marking the 14^th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth.

The CEIR Index consists of four key metrics: net square feet sold, professional visitors, number of exhibiting companies, and gross revenue. Three of the four figures recorded growth in Q4. The largest growth was recorded in professional visitors, jumping 5.8% year-on-year, followed by gross revenue which grew by 3.6%. The number of exhibiting companies increased by 3.0%, while net square feet sold dropped slightly falling by 0.5%.

CEIR’s economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., chief economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates, Inc. was quoted, “With the fourth quarter’s results and 14 consecutive quarters of growth, and our predictions closely matching outcomes, we are confident in the continued growth and progress of the industry. The exhibition industry has survived and emerged from the Great Recession and we are confident that the upswing will continue.”

UBM concludes largest ever SIGN CHINA

News this week: Concurrent events, SIGN CHINA and LED CHINA, concluded earlier this week at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. The four-day events were held from 23^rd to 26^th February and were organised by UBM Trust, one of UBM Asia’s joint ventures in China.

This edition of SIGN CHINA occupied 13 halls at the venue covering more than 130,000 m² of exhibition space. UBM reported the participation of some 1,800 exhibitors at the event. Product categories showcased at the event included signage, sign materials, acrylic panels, POP items, printing materials & consumables, cutting machines, engravers, bending machines and LED displays.

LED CHINA, now in its 10^th edition, attracted over 1,200 exhibitors and featured more than 80,000 m² of space across eight halls. Product categories at the event included LED lighting, displays, packaging, chips and LED equipment.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Alibaba to establish e-commerce association in Taiwan

News this week: China’s largest e-commerce company, the Alibaba Group, will establish an e-commerce network association in Taiwan to help local small- and medium-sized companies to trade more effectively in the global market.

After opening its office in Taiwan in 2008, Alibaba has been assisting local companies to make better use of the Internet in their trading activities. The company also aims to Taiwanese SMEs to promote their products internationally. More than 20 Taiwanese companies have come together to form this e-commerce association.

According to Bryan Fu, general manager of Alibaba’s Taiwan branch, the local manufacturing sector is in the midst of a transition. The older generation is not adept in using digital technology, while the younger generation, although born in the age of the Internet, still has limited knowledge about trading with merchants in western countries using e-commerce. The association aims to ease the SMEs transition into the world of e-commerce.

Informa expands MEDLAB series to Singapore

News this week: Informa Exhibitions’ subsidiary, Informa Life Science Exhibitions, expanded its MEDLAB series to Singapore. The inaugural show, MEDLAB Asia Pacific, was held from 18^th to 20^th February 2014 at the Marina Bay Sands venue.

According to the organiser, the new show covered 3,000 m² of exhibition space featuring exhibitors from the medical laboratory technology industry. Products categories at the show included: disposable items, diagnostic equipment, hospital management, laboratory equipment and biotechnology. The show also provides the industry with a platform to obtain the latest information on innovations and technology in the market.

Simon Page, managing director, Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, was quoted, “MEDLAB Asia Pacific is organised in association with Scherago International and is an innovative laboratory exhibition and congress. We are confident that it will provide an opportunity for industry professionals practicing in the Asia Pacific region to learn about the latest advances in their applications in laboratory medicine as well as current and future industry trends.”

BOL’s revenues and profits rise in 2013

News this week: Earlier this week, Bangkok-listed business information provider, Business Online (BOL), announced its financial results for the year ended 31^st December 2013. The company reported revenues of US$12 million, up 6.1% year-on-year. Net income in 2013 was US$2.8 million, representing growth of 4.1% compared with 2012. Diluted earnings per share in 2013 were Baht 0.11 (US$0.0034).

Approximately 63% of BOL’s revenues were generated through its flagship online information service – amounting to US$7.8 million. This figure results a 9.2% increase over 2012. According to the company’s annual report, the remaining revenues were categorized by BOL as “other service income” and “other income”. The company did not supply details regarding these revenue categories.

VNU Exhibitions to cooperate with veterinary association

News this week: VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, a joint venture between VNU Exhibitions Europe and the TCC Exhibition & Convention Centre, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) to improve content and management of livestock industry trade fairs.

Under the terms of the MOU, VNU Exhibitions will support FAVA with scholarship programmes in Southeast Asia, South Asia and China. FAVA will support knowledge sharing and analysis of new trends at industry trade fairs including VIV Asia in Thailand and ILDEX Exhibitions in Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia over the coming three years.