Trade fair market in Asia grows by 4.3% in 2010

News this week: This week we published the seventh edition of UFI-BSG annual report, "The Trade Fair Industry in Asia." Overall, the trade fair industry in Asia expanded by 4.3% in 2010.Net area sold by organisers in Asia reached a total of 15.5 million m². This figure has nearly doubled since the first edition of this report was published in 2004 when 8.1 million m² were sold in Asia.

In 2010, the fastest growing markets were two of the smaller trade fair markets, the Philippines and Macau. Net square metres sold in the Philippines increased by 56% to 128,250 m², while Macau grew by 29% to 125,000 m². Of the larger markets, Hong Kong posted an 11% gain, while Taiwan and Malaysia both grew by slightly more than 13%. India had a strong year, significantly outperforming the regional average increasing net square metres sold by 9% to reach 763,750 m².

The largest trade fair market in Asia, China, grew on pace with the regional average increasing by 4.3% as 8.5 million m² were sold there. The trade fair market in China now largely defines the region. It is the largest trade fair market by any measure. China accounts for 55% of all space sold in the region and generates one third of regional revenues (US$1.2 billion). China is also home to 68% of Asia’s venue capacity. By the end of 2011, there will be 96 venues in China offering 4.18 million m² of space. Across the region, there are now 177 venues with a total capacity of 6.14 million m². This represents a huge change from 2005 when regional capacity was just 3 million m².

Overall, revenues from trade fairs in Asia in 2010 increased 4.7% rising from US$3.39 billion to US$3.55 billion in 2010. China generated revenues of US$1.2 billion and Japan’s were US$797 million. Together, these two markets account for 56% of the region’s revenues. Hong Kong recorded revenues of US$384 million which is an impressive 10.5% of total revenues. This is even more impressive given that the 10.5% market share comes through just two venues.

The full report is available for purchase on the BSG website.