Slovakia has launched an architectural competition to design its national pavilion for EXPO 2027 Belgrade, marking the formal start of the country’s preparations for the international exhibition.

The project is being led by SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, Slovakia’s national tourism promotion agency. The competition has been verified by the Slovak Chamber of Architects, or SKA. Organisers said the competition follows consultations with SKA representatives to finalise the terms in line with the chamber’s competition rules.

“Thanks to the chamber’s professional approach, the competition is being carried out according to the highest professional standards and opens the door to a wide spectrum of architectural teams – from established studios to young talents,” Lukáš Parízek, commissioner general for EXPO 2027 Belgrade, said in a statement.

The process formally began with the first meeting of the expert jury on March 26, when the final competition conditions were set. Organisers said the framework was designed to balance Slovakia’s ambitions for the pavilion with practical feasibility and the goal of attracting strong submissions.

“EXPO 2027 is a unique opportunity for Slovakia to show the world our creativity, innovativeness and ability to deliver bold solutions,” Matej Fekete, director general of SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, said in a statement. “The architectural competition is the first step toward creating a pavilion that will be not only visually attractive, but also a strong story about Slovakia as a country of opportunity.”

Organisers said proposals will be reviewed by an international jury that includes architect Peter Stec, who has worked at OMA and Herzog & de Meuron and contributed to projects including the extension of Tate Modern in London. The panel also includes licensed architects, a design expert and representatives of the organiser.

Slovakia’s presentation at EXPO 2027 will be built around the concept “Slovakia – Playground of Opportunities.” Organisers said the pavilion will reflect themes of play, innovation and progress, supported by the slogan “Where play becomes opportunity” and the subtheme “Play for Progress.”
 

The competition calls for a full architectural concept for a national pavilion under the “Living Playground” theme. The pavilion is planned for Hall 6 at the EXPO Belgrade 2027 site and will occupy 648 square meters across two above-ground floors.

According to the competition brief, the pavilion should include a signature visual installation, an interactive public area using technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, a business zone, and a hospitality section featuring a Slovak restaurant and café with souvenirs.

Organisers said the top three entries will receive prizes totaling 29,000 euros ($31,000). The winner will receive 12,000 euros ($12,800), second place 10,000 euros ($10,700), and third place 7,000 euros ($7,500).

The submission deadline is 10 a.m. on May 14, 2026, through the IS EVO system.

Slovakia was the first country to sign a participation agreement with the organisers. Its presence at Expo 2027 is designed to advance long-term goals in economic diplomacy, tourism promotion, nation branding, and international cooperation.

As the first world exhibition ever held in the Western Balkans, Expo 2027 Belgrade offers participating countries a major platform to raise their global profile, promote trade and investment, showcase innovation, and deepen diplomatic and commercial ties.

SLOVAKIA TRAVEL is Slovakia’s national tourism promotion organisation, responsible for developing tourism in domestic and international markets.

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Santiago de Chile will become the Latin American capital of smart cities from July 24 to 26 on the occasion of Smart City Expo Santiago de Chile (SCES). The event, which this year reaches its third edition, will bring together more than 6,000 visitors and nearly a hundred companies at the Estación Mapocho Cultural Center to discuss and address the design and construction of smarter and more sustainable cities.

Under the motto "Recovering the city for people: a shared challenge", the event organised by Fira de Barcelona and Interexpo, with the support of the Government of Santiago, the Regional Council, and the Regional Development Corporation, will connect the public sector with private companies, universities, start-ups, and civil society.

SCES structures its congress section around four focus areas: Safe and Resilient Cities; Adaptation to Climate Change; Mobility and City Planning, and Living Better: Opportunities for Social Integration and Cohesion.

To address these issues, the meeting will feature the participation of a hundred prestigious speakers, including Marta Rofin Serrà, architect and CEO of Healthy Cities; Washington Fajardo, specialist in housing and urban development at the Inter-American Development Bank; Camila Mileke, Secretary of Cities in the Government of the State of Paraná (Brazil); Daniela Chacón, Executive Director of the Tàndem Foundation; and Jorge Andrés Moisés Gonzales, Undersecretary of Tourism of the Mayor's Office of Cartagena de Indias.

In parallel to the conference programme, SCES will have an exhibition space in which innovative and disruptive solutions focused on urban transformation and sustainable mobility will be presented. In total, more than 100 companies and institutions such as Claro Empresas, Copec, Enel, Indra, NEC, Sercotec, Sonda, and Yunex, among others, will participate.

Fira, plataforma global

Smart City Expo Santiago de Chile is part of the programme of events that Fira de Barcelona International organises outside Spain in 2025. With a dozen confirmed events, the trade fair institution is reinforcing its expansion strategy abroad. Among the scheduled events are editions of Smart City Expo in New York (USA), Curitiba (Brazil), Puebla (Mexico), Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Doha (Qatar) and Tomorrow City in Shanghai (China).

In addition to these, IOT Brazil in Sao Paulo, Mexico Hospitality Expo in Guadalajara (Mexico), Alimentaria Chengdu in China and Tomorrow Blue Economy in Niteroi (Brazil) are added.
 

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Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the leading international event on cities and smart urban solutions organised by Fira de Barcelona will hold its largest edition ever in 2025. From November 4-6 and under the theme “The Time for Cities” the show and congress aims to seize the full potential of technologies to transform the urban landscape gathering 1,000 exhibitors, 25,000 attendees and growing its exhibition floorspace exceeding last year’s record-breaking edition.

The event, held at Fira’s Gran Via venue, will focus on strategies to transform current metropolises into more sustainable, efficient, and livable spaces and will give a central role to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key asset capable of accelerating a much-needed push towards more efficient and sustainable cities. To do so, SCEWC will host the new “AI-enabled cities” where attendees will be able to learn how this technology can improve and speed up urban transformation projects worldwide.

This new area will add to an exhibition floor space that will bring together leading companies from around the world to showcase the latest solutions and technologies. Among them are Axis Communications, Bentley, Dahua Technology, Dassault Systèmes, Dell, Deloitte, iotsquared, Microsoft, Nvidia, Spie, Urbaser and Veolia.

In addition to companies, the event will also house a large number of country pavilions including those from Argentina, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Nordics, United Kingdom and the USA.

The event’s director, Ugo Valenti, said that “Twenty-five years into this new millennium we know that cities are more than clusters of infrastructure; they are dynamic systems built around the lives of millions and our greatest asset to curb climate change and secure a better future for millions of people around the world. Smart City Expo is the place where companies, experts and government officials act in this common goal and share strategies, technologies and projects that speed the process.”

The Capital of Urban Knowledge

Along these lines, SCEWC will gather over 600 speakers and international experts in its congress to share the latest experiences and breakthroughs in urban transformation in a conference programme structured around eight main tracks: Enabling Technologies, Energy & Environment, Mobility, Governance & Economy, Living & Inclusion, Infrastructure & Building, and Blue Economy.

Among the confirmed speakers are Nikki Greenberg, CEO of Real Estate of the future and a globally recognised futurist and strategic advisor with over two decades of experience in real estate development, urban innovation and technology-driven transformation; and Kate O’Neill, Founder and CEO of KO Insights, a renowned digital innovator focused on enhancing human experiences at scale through data-driven and AI-led interactions, who has worked with companies Google, IBM, Microsoft, and the United Nations.

The Global Hub of Innovation

In 2025, SCEWC will also focus on the potential of startups as a driving force capable of developing new solutions in the urban transformation field. To achieve this goal, the event will reprise its Innovation Playground, a space to connect the main players of the global urban innovation ecosystem including investors, research centers and 80 startups. This will rise the number of young innovative companies at the show to almost 350 when adding those present at other areas of SCEWC.

To strengthen the role of SCEWC as the global hub of urban innovation, the summit will host again the joint celebration of Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, organised by Fira de Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility and aimed at developing a new and sustainable urban mobility paradigm; and the third editions of Tomorrow Building, focused on innovative construction, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy, aimed at using the full potential of ocean resources for a sustainable economic growth. To round off this unmatchable offer, SCEWC will also host the fourth edition of the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit, an event organised by Barcelona Activa focused on scientific tech entrepreneurship and university spin-offs.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

UFI announced the expansion of its training programmes worldwide with the increase in the offer of the UFI Exhibition Management School and the Venue Management School around the world.

This strategic initiative underscores UFI's commitment to education as one of its core pillars, aiming to empower professionals at all stages of their careers with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the ever-evolving exhibition landscape.

Regional Successes and Upcoming Programmes

This year, UFI successfully conducted a Venue Management School (VMS) in Shenyang, hosted by Shenyang New World EXPO and held in collaboration with the Venue Management Association (VMA) of Australia. Additionally, a VMS took place in Macau with the support of the Macau Fair & Trade Association (MFTA), enhancing the expertise of local venue management professionals.

Looking ahead, UFI will also host a UFI Exhibition Management School programme in Macau with MFTA from 10-12 September, which is expected to significantly elevate the professional standards and capabilities within the exhibition industry.
 

UFI Greater Bay Area Education Partnership

UFI and the Macau Fair & Trade Association (MFTA) have signed the first-ever Greater Bay Area Education Partnership, which will include multiple onsite, in-person UFI education programmes in Macau. UFI’s Exhibition Management School and Venue Management School, held in English and Mandarin, will be among the programme offerings.

This exclusive, two-year agreement further underscores UFI’s role as a leading education provider for the global exhibition industry and will help establish Macau as an education hub.

Adeline Vancauwelaert, COO of UFI, comments, “In response to the growing demand for professional development opportunities, UFI is committed to expanding our educational offerings globally. Education is one of UFI’s core pillars, and we aim to ensure that industry professionals worldwide have access to the highest quality training and resources, empowering them to drive the future of the exhibition industry.”

“We are thrilled to see UFI’s educational programmes expand significantly over the past year, with continued growth on the horizon thanks to dedicated education patrons like MFTA. UFI remains committed to providing continuous learning and professional development to the entire industry, and we extend our gratitude to the lecturers, partners, and hosts who help us make this possible," adds Anna Lawerence, UFI Education Programme Manager.

Both the UFI Exhibition Management School (EMS) and the UFI Venue Management School (VMS) are foundation programmes of the UFI Certified Professional designation.

For more information about UFI’s education programmes and how to enrol, please visit UFI.org

RCNi, a digital health information company that supports best practice in the nursing profession and is wholly owned by the Royal College Nursing, has announced the return of this dynamic event for everyone who works in nursing.

Hosted over two days (23-24 October) at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, and with a focus on the professional and personal development of nurses at every stage of their careers, Nursing Live is a unique and inspiring event for the nursing community.

Celebrating the entire nursing profession, Nursing Live brings together together CPD, peer collaboration, self-care, career guidance, clinical skills, networking and fun all under one roof. More than 160 speakers will deliver practical, strategic, inspiring and therapeutic sessions.

The event is designed for all nurses, regardless of specialty, experience or background, whether you work in the NHS, independent sector or across health and social care. There are sessions specifically for students, newly qualified nurses, leaders and internationally educated nurses across all four fields of nursing.

RCNi managing director Rachel Armitage said: "Nursing staff who attend our two-day celebration of nursing will discover a wealth of professional development and career opportunities, clinical demonstrations and health and well-being tips from masterclasses and experts.

Attendees will be well placed to explore everything from the latest healthcare tech to dynamic job opportunities through our different exhibition zones, while our workshops, presentations and panel discussions will explore key nursing topics."

But it's not just about professional development – Nursing Live focuses on well-being with self-care with presentations on topics such as sleep, nutrition and stress-management.

The sessions at Nursing Live are delivered across a variety of formats. The main stage is home to our keynote speakers and strategic-level panels, while three learning labs host practical case studies and conversation sessions. Two workshop spaces will provide interactive learning, and the compassion cafe offers therapeutic sessions sharing advice to help manage the emotional impact of nursing.

This year you can also register for 1:1 CV clinics, and even join the Nursing Live choir who will perform during the day, just for fun.

To ensure all CPD provision, presentations and well-being elements of the event are aligned to the needs of the profession, RCNi – which publishes Nursing Standard and ten other authoritative journals – will be working with a group of advisers and advocates who will be supporting the development of the event.

The cohort will include nurses at various stages of their careers, specialists from different clinical settings, senior leaders and members of the RCNi editorial.

Register now to attend Nursing Live 2024. Tickets are free and valid for the entire two-day event.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has named Freeman-Zenus as the winner of the 2024 UFI Operations & Services Award.

The topic this year was: “Customer expectations & needs in 2024: Leveraging strategic partnerships or digital solutions to enhance customer experience.” It sought to recognise and celebrate innovative approaches to customer service that either fostered close cooperation with strategic partners and/or harnessed the power of digital solutions. In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting customer preferences, this award aimed to highlight the initiatives and strategies that anticipate and fulfil customer needs proactively.

Stefan Eckert, Senior Vice President Services at Koelnmesse GmbH and Chair of the UFI Operations & Services Working Group declares: “On behalf of the whole Working Group, congratulations to Freeman and Zenus who shared with us their impressive idea to measure visitor sentiments. To better understand visitor behaviour and visitor expectations will be of essential value for the industry. With less visitors attending the shows, we need to focus on visitor quality and serve these high-value customers accordingly. To understand their behaviour creates the analytical basis for improvements.

"The Zenus and Freeman teams have been working collaboratively for the past few years, so we are excited and honoured by this distinction. This award will only reinforce and strengthen our partnership. Event organisers are under more pressure than ever to provide clear ROI to their exhibitors and sponsors. They can benefit tremendously from the actionable insights our ethical behaviour mapping technology provides," said Panos Moutafis, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Zenus.

“We are honoured to be recognised with a UFI Award for a digital partnership that helps event organisers understand attendee behaviour and exhibitor impact. By working side-by-side with Zenus, Freeman clients can measure their live events the same way they measure their digital marketing channels — total impressions, dwell time, and how show floors convert to key activities,” said Janet Dell, Freeman, CEO.

The jury also acknowledges the finalists for the quality of their projects: FFAIR for its project “Redefining the Exhibitor Experience: How a Revolution in Ops Tech Has Changed the Game for Exhibitors and Exhibition Operations Teams,” and RX for its “RX Compliance Shared Service Centre”.

The winner entry is available to view here on the UFI website.

The UFI Operations & Services Award, part of UFI’s annual Awards, recognises outstanding initiatives in the exhibition industry. These awards celebrate excellence across various categories, including human resources, industry partners, marketing, sustainability, digital innovation, and operations & services. 

The 2024 UFI Award winners will present their projects at the 91st UFI Global Congress from 20-23 November 2024 in Cologne, Germany.

Click here to learn more about the UFI Global Congress

NRG Exhibitions (M) Sdn Bhd has announced the upcoming 4th Edition of Electronics Manufacturing Expo Asia (EMAX) and 3rd Edition of Penang Manufacturing Expo (PMAX) 2024.

Scheduled to take place from 24 - 26 July 2024 (10am-5pm), these premier events are poised to bring together industry leaders and influencers to showcase the latest advancements and foster collaboration in the electronics and manufacturing sectors.

Building on the success of previous editions, EMAX & PMAX 2024 will once again be held at the prestigious Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Penang, Malaysia. Renowned as the "Silicon Valley of the East," Penang serves as the ideal location for these expos, given its vibrant electronics and manufacturing ecosystem, strategic location, and supportive business environment.

EMAX & PMAX 2024 will feature a comprehensive range of exhibitors, seminars, and networking opportunities, providing attendees with valuable insights into the latest technologies, trends, and best practices shaping the industry. From chip manufacturers and semiconductor suppliers to equipment providers and industry experts, participants can expect to connect with key players and explore innovative solutions driving the future of electronics and manufacturing.

With a focus on fostering collaboration and driving growth, EMAX & PMAX 2024 are expecting to attract participants from over 40 countries, showcasing 200+ leading brands, and welcoming more than 8000 visitors. These figures underscore the growing significance of these expos as essential platforms for industry professionals to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and stay abreast of the latest developments.

Attendees can expect a diverse array of conferences, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, providing a holistic experience that caters to all facets of the electronics and manufacturing sectors. From keynote presentations and panel discussions to product showcases and business matchmaking sessions.

EMAX & PMAX is supported by:

• Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)
• Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB)
• Invest Penang
• Penang Foundry & Engineering Industries Association (PENFEIA)
• Malaysia Association of Sustainable Supply Chain and Innovations (MASSCI)
• SME Associations of Seberang Perai
• Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)
• IPC Technology Consulting Pvt Ltd
• IEE Penang Chapters
• Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MICCI)

For more detailed information on both events please visit EMAX Asia or Penang Expo

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the flagship trade event for the global meetings and events industry in the Asia Pacific region.

In 2024, AIME will host more than 600 buyers from around the world, welcome 3,500 visitor buyers and around 570 exhibitors from various business events sectors and countries – in fact, 33 countries will be represented. This represents a phenomenal growth of 63% in the number of exhibitors at AIME 2023 – and cements AIME’s position as the premier event for the international business events community in the region.

Exhibitors include Convention Bureaux, Convention centres, Hotels and Resorts, Unique venues, Event technology companies, Production and AV companies, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), Airlines, Cruise companies, and suppliers from every Australian state. 

International destinations attending AIME for the first time since Covid hit include Canada, Fiji, Korea, Macau, USA, Italy, Malta, Norway, Sri Lanka, UK/Ireland, Vietnam, India, Maldives and Monaco. 

They join countries including Japan, New Zealand, Africa, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Germany and Spain, returning again to the AIME showfloor. 

AIME is delighted to announce a larger showfloor in 2024, expanding the event’s footprint by an additional two bays at its home, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This growth allows the introduction of new zones, including The Boutique and DMC Network and will bring a number of first-time exhibitors to AIME. 

A dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers, The Boutique will showcase such operators as small, independently owned wineries with intimate spaces, design-led luxury venues with distinct personalities and services to match, and other bespoke and highly customisable experiences.

Also, for the first time at AIME, a dedicated zone for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) will exist – the DMC Network. This space will bring together on-the-ground teams from all over the world who are perfectly positioned to curate tailored experiences for conferences, incentives and events in their region.

AIME 2024 will also feature dedicated spaces on the showfloor for those all-important impromptu meetings, facilitating more networking opportunities across the three days of the event. 

A dedicated tech zone – which will be double the size of 2023 – continues to highlight the importance of event technology companies and suppliers to the global industry. 

The hotel zone continues to grow in popularity – a testament to the post-covid bounce back of travel – and in 2024, occupies a footprint that is 50% larger than AIME 2023

Other showfloor features and activations include the Accor Hosted Buyer Lounge, the Good Taste Cafe by Morton Hire and Media Lounge presented by Spice. 

Kicking off the three-day event on Monday, 19 February, AIME’s highly anticipated Knowledge Program is themed the 4Ps of GLOCALISATION, which is inspired by the AIME global community’s wish of harmonising the relationship between global insights and local nuances. 

Exploring the intricate dynamics of glocalisation’s transformative impact will be two magnetic keynote speakers, award-winning marketing executive Lisa Ronson and bestselling author, TV host and founder of the 100 Things movement Sebastian Terry.

Breakout sessions across the day will highlight how to align a “Glocalisation” mindset with the pivotal 4Ps – People, Planet, Purpose, and Profit – to achieve deeper brand engagement and sustainable business success.

The AIME 2024 Knowledge Program is attended by Hosted Buyers, Media, Exhibitors and Visitor Buyers who upgrade their ticket, but opportunities for education and inspiration continue for all attendees on Tuesday, 20 and Wednesday, 21 February, with the Ideas Academy presented by Spice. 

Each Ideas Academy session is delivered silently via individual headphones, with high-quality, informative content providing practical takeaways for attendees to implement in their business.

Sessions will run continuously and are free for all attendees. Bookings are not required.

As always, the hugely anticipated AIME Welcome Event will be a highlight of the three-day show. This exclusive evening is open to Hosted Buyers, Exhibitors, Media Partners, and VIPs. Visitor Buyers can elevate their experience by upgrading their tickets. It’s a night to remember! 

More details on the not-to-be-missed Welcome Event will be announced soon. 

As AIME enters its 31st year, it’s clear that it is the place where Asia Pacific does business – and where it has a lot of fun, too!

For more information or to register to attend AIME, visit: aime.com.au

© Expo Center Norte

MundoGEO will hold in 2024 the 1st edition of Expo eVTOL, an event dedicated to the Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOL) market, popularly known as “flying cars”. The fair and forum will take place in parallel with other MundoGEO events - DroneShow Robotics, SpaceBR Show and MundoGEO Connect - at Expo Center Norte (cover photo) - Pavilhão Amarelo, in São Paulo, between May 21st and 23rd of next year.

Expo eVTOL is a spin-off of the 1st eVTOL Forum - Challenges and Opportunities, held this year along with DroneShow Robotics, dedicated exclusively to this sector that is in evidence and promises to take the skies in the coming years. MundoGEO, in this way, responds to a market demand for a trade fair and a forum on the matter, contrary to what happens in aviation events, which reserve a secondary space for this disruptive technology.

The eVTOL market is expected to reach US$ 21.62 billion in 2027, according to a report by IMARC Group, a British consulting firm. The expectation regarding these aircraft is such that the main aircraft manufacturers in the world are directly involved, such as Embraer, Airbus and Boeing. Not to mention several startups that have accelerated projects with eVTOLs already flying, such as Lilium, Vertical Aerospace, EHang, Archer Aviation, among others.

Airlines around the world are also among the future operators of the “flying cars”. In Brazil, Azul and Gol have already announced intention to purchase eVTOLs with Lilium and Vertical Aerospace, respectively. Eve Air Mobility, from the Embraer group, has several future clients in its portfolio, including some Brazilian air taxi companies, such as Helisul, Voar Aviation, FlyBIS, Flapper and Avantto.

The forum held this year brought together some of these players, such as Eve, Gol, Azul, Vertical and Helisul, as well as other players closely involved with the sector, such as the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Brazilian Department of Air Space Control (DECEA).

The second edition of the forum, now inside the Expo eVTOL, will bring even more speakers to address the most current topics in the world of eVTOLs.

It will focus on three main axes: technology, regulation and market. In the first topic, issues related to industry, electrification, design, training and operation will be discussed. Regarding regulation, the paths for certification of eVTOLs in Brazil, international experiences and the insertion of these vehicles in the airspace already taken by planes, helicopters and drones will be brought. Finally, there will be room for debate on the size of this sector and those directly involved in the operation, such as airlines, air taxi companies, security and defense agencies and infrastructure companies.

“Expo eVTOL is MundoGEO’s fourth exhibition that anticipates and creates a space to discuss the economic, social and cultural impacts of technologies, now with this new mode of transport," says MundoGEO CEO, Emerson Granemann.

In addition to being an important debate arena, Expo eVTOL will also bring together companies at the trade fair, in which they will present not only their own aircraft and mock-ups of future eVTOLs, but also solutions that go beyond passenger transport, including logistics, defense and security. The first edition of the event coincides with the expansion of MundoGEO, recently acquired by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), responsible for more than 51 fairs and 122 events and conferences worldwide.

AsiaWorld-Arena (Hall 1) © AsiaWorld-Expo

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced that its 93rd UFI Global Congress will be held in Hong Kong. It will be hosted by AsiaWorld-Expo, and include activations throughout the “Greater Bay Area”.

UFI President, Michael Duck, says: “The UFI Global Congress will conclude a multi-year tour through the world’s leading exhibition markets in 2025 – after the USA in 2023 and Germany in 2024, Hong Kong will take the global UFI community to Greater China. We will also be able to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of AsiaWorld-Expo together with our hosts.”

CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo, Irene Chan, adds: “Located at the heart of China’s fast-growing Greater Bay Area, AsiaWorld-Expo is the perfect showcase of the synergies and rich potential of this vibrant market. 2025 is also a landmark year for witnessing another major milestone in the region’s growth: the ongoing development of SKYCITY, where AWE is situated, and where new cross-border facilities are taking shape. As a well-established MICE destination that is constantly adding new value to its market position, AsiaWorld-Expo looks forward to providing an exceptional EXPOtainment experience to global visitors and helping them unlock the enormous potential for business in the region.”

AsiaWorld-Expo selected as host for the event

The UFI Global Congress is the “must attend” event for the exhibition industry, as the largest global meeting of the year, which gathers hundreds of industry leaders from around the world to network and learn. A testament to the global footprint of UFI, it is taking place in different regions around the world each year. 2025 will see the event returning to the Asia-Pacific region where it last took place in 2019.

The UFI Global Congress takes place in November every year in trade show destinations around the world. Following this year’s Congress in Las Vegas (1-4 November 2023), the event will move on to Cologne, Germany, where it will take place from 17-20 November 2024. Recent hosts include Muscat (Sultanate of Oman), Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Bangkok (Thailand), St. Petersburg (Russia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Shanghai (China), Milan (Italy), and Bogota (Colombia).

Side programming to include “Greater Bay Area” activation

In UFI’s 100-year history, Hong Kong has hosted the UFI Congress once before, in the year 2000.

Open to more than 50,000 industry professionals globally, who work for UFI member companies, UFI’s Global Congress combines international networking with unique content. It’s an opportunity to gain insight into topics of strategic interest, learn about new trends, and discuss the challenges facing the exhibition industry.

Smart City Expo USA (SCEUSA), the North American edition of Smart City Expo World Congress, Fira de Barcelona's leading event on cities and urban innovation, lands in New York. From 4 to 5 October, 100 speakers, 300 government representatives and 75 companies will take part in the United States edition of the urban summit to discuss how smart cities can contribute to the well-being of their citizens.

Organised by Fira de Barcelona, in collaboration with Office of the Mayor, the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (NYCOTI), the African American Mayors Association (AAMA), and the National League of Cities (NLC), SCEUSA will take place at New York's Pier 36 conference and expo hall under the theme ‘The Future is Here.’   

The event aims to explore the opportunities for economic progress offered by digital transformation, analyse the most current and emerging trends in technology, and build discussions with the goal of creating more connected, equitable cities that foster the development and well-being of people and their communities.  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “we are thrilled to welcome Smart City Expo USA to the greatest city in the world. The theme ‘The Future is Here’ speaks to the urgency of addressing issues ranging from AI and workforce development to climate change and infrastructure now. It also lets the world know that the future of innovation and cutting-edge technology is here in NYC – a city that serves 8MM people and has a $100BN budget”     

Ricard Zapatero, Director of International Business at Fira de Barcelona, said that “we are delighted that a metropolis like New York is joining the group of cities around the world hosting Smart City Expo.”  “We are sure that its leadership, global influence and dynamism will provide a new impetus to urban transformation”, added Zapatero.  

2023 Conference Themes

The new edition of Smart City Expo USA will revolve around a conference with six main themes: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, finance, urban infrastructure, climate change,and culture. More than 100 speakers will address issues such as inequality in access to the digital environment, the redefinition of the relationship between governments and citizens, advances in connected mobility, the ethical application of algorithmic and AI systems, and circular economy and sustainable construction, among many others.   

Apart from the conference programme, SCEUSA will also have an exhibition space with 75 companies showcasing innovative solutions in the field of smart cities, along with workshops and demonstrations. 

In addition, with the goal of bringing the event to the entire population, a Community Day will be held on 3 October, which will include activities in neighborhoods, universities, and innovation spaces across the five boroughs of New York.  

Fira de Barcelona in the world

Organising international editions of Smart City Expo World Congress, held every year in Barcelona, is part of Fira de Barcelona’s internationalisation strategy. Dozens of cities in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia have already hosted the event since 2013. This year, shows have been organised in Curitiba (Brazil), Mérida (Mexico), Bogotá (Colombia), Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and two more are still to come in Doha (Qatar) and Shanghai (China).

New Zealand's only national tradeshow for the business events industry has been dubbed a triumph for the capital, celebrating many milestones and winning praise from attendees, organisers and media.

Held in Wellington for the first time in the show’s 27-year history, MEETINGS 2023 was the largest ever, welcoming over 1000 business events professionals, 224 exhibitor stands, and more than 400 buyers from around New Zealand, Australia and beyond.

Business Events Wellington collaborated closely with industry partners from around the city and region to offer buyers and media first-hand insights into Wellington’s unique and diverse range of venues, attractions and suppliers.

Business Events Wellington manager Irette Ferreira says this year’s show marked a significant moment in the city’s future, hosting buyers and industry friends in Wellington.

"We have had an incredible week. Every hotel, venue, supplier and experience in the city has come together to make MEETINGS 2023 a success. This week shows just how tight-knit Wellington’s industry is and what a client can expect when hosting a conference or event in the capital,” says Ferreira.

MEETINGS 2023 kicked off on Tuesday night with an evening welcome function at National Museum Te Papa Tongarewa, emceed by presenter Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’I and catered by Tākina Events’ executive chef showcasing the flavours of the region.

The following two days of exhibiting took place at the newly opened Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Wellington regional stand saw a record 20 stand partners participating and a full line-up of engaging demonstrations from local experts (including House of Dumplings, Greytown Honey, Southward Distillery, Wellington Chocolate Factory, Olivo and Moy Hall), a “Wellington General Store” featuring locally sourced products, alongside live art demonstrations from Wētā Workshop.

To round out the week, a celebration evening was hosted at Venue Wellington’s Shed 6, featuring the quintessential tastes, sights and sounds of Wellington in one spectacular evening.

“MEETINGS 2023 was an outstanding success thanks in no small part to the team at Business Events Wellington and Tākina Events. The venue itself was maximised with all rooms and meeting space used,” says Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive of Business Events Industry Aotearoa.

Tākina has been cleverly designed to be flexible, the spaces light and airy. Most importantly, we found the staff at the venue to be exceptional and obliging. They were critical to the overarching success of the event,” says Hopkins.

MEETINGS 2023 by the numbers

Familiarisations

For some buyers, their week began the previous Saturday for a comprehensive two-and-a-half-day familiarisation programme.

International buyers were treated to a unique look at New Zealand Parliament with a progressive dinner and a panel discussion hosted at the InterContinental Wellington discussing the role business events play in the city’s strategy. The expertly curated itineraries also included a dumpling masterclass by the House of Dumplings at TRYP by Wyndham, a hands-on workshop by The Wellington Chocolate Factory, and iconic Wellington attractions including Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne and Wellington Cable Car.

The day prior to MEETINGS, another 140 hosted buyers experienced Wellington’s manaakitanga (hospitality) at iconic Wellington attractions including Boomrock, Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, Wellington Apothecary and Te Papa, culinary delights including Whistling Sisters, Mojo Coffee and Noble Rot Wine Bar, and accommodation providers Mövenpick Wellington, QT Wellington, InterContinental Wellington and Sofitel Wellington.

From today until Friday, the capital of Colombia is hosting Smart City Expo Bogotá (SCEB), the Latin American country's smart city event. With the participation of more than 70 experts and 60 companies, the event is a platform for sharing ideas, knowledge and solutions to advance the smart and sustainable development promoted in recent years in the region.

Under the slogan "Ciudades que Cuiden, Ciudades que Innoven" (Cities that Care, Cities that Innovate), SCEB, the event organised by Fira de Barcelona with the support of the Mayor's Office of Bogota and the city's Chamber of Commerce, aims to promote cities as catalysts for the connection between the quality of life of their inhabitants and urban innovation.

The event features a congress that highlights the importance of cities as connectors of innovation and revolves around seven themes: Smart Technologies, Urban Mobility, Economic Development, Public Innovation, Energy and Environment, and Sustainable Territories. More than 70 international speakers from around twenty countries are taking part, including Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, the United States, Denmark, Iceland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Uruguay and Chile.

Another of the highlights is the exhibition area with more than 60 exhibitors, including companies, organisations and training centres that will present new technological developments and innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of citizens and promote a more inclusive and sustainable society.

In order to promote the region as a reference in the debate on urban innovation, the Mayor's Office of Bogotá has created awards for the best initiatives in smart cities that will distinguish projects in eight categories: leadership in innovation, both in the public and private sectors; innovation from nature; innovation from urban design; innovation from citizens; innovation from the market; innovation from technology; and smart culture.

Also, as a parallel event, on 2 June, FestiBO, the Bogota Public Innovation Festival, an initiative of Bloomberg Philanthropies, will bring together more than 20 national and international experts in urban innovation who will give talks and workshops open to the public.

Fira crosses borders

Smart City Expo Bogota is part of the international action of Fira de Barcelona, which this year is holding 8 shows around the world. Seven of these are international editions of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world's leading urban innovation show: Smart City Expo Curitiba (Brazil), Smart City Expo Latam Congress (Mexico), Smart City Expo Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Smart City Expo USA, Smart City Expo Doha, and Smart City Expo Shanghai (China), together with HostelCuba, the hospitality show held in Havana.

Since last year, the Barcelona-based trade fair institution has also been managing the Chinese venues of Nanchang and Xuzhou, which in 2023 will host 71 trade fairs and congresses.

All of this is part of the international expansion strategy initiated by Fira de Barcelona, aimed at contributing to the internationalisation of Spanish and Catalan companies and contributing its organisational experience.

Global Exhibition Day will take place on June 7, 2023 with a call for professionals in the exhibition industry to celebrate globally. This year's theme is “We Run the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone.”

In-person events have seen a strong comeback all around the world as industries and communities have reunited after the challenges of the global pandemic. The exhibitions and events industry is scaling up to meet demand, with investors and customers pushing the sector to grow and evolve. While the business model of exhibitions was challenged during the lockdowns, it has proven both its resilience and value proposition.

Against this backdrop, the 2023 Global Exhibitions Day (GED) will take place one month from now. Coming up on the 7th of June, we’re looking forward to further promoting and highlighting the importance that exhibitions have in all of our lives.

Set up in 2016, Global Exhibitions Day (GED) is held annually on the first Wednesday of June to drive visibility of the Exhibition Industry locally, regionally and on a global scale. In recent years, it saw activations and activities from industry players in over 100 countries and regions around the world.

This year, the main theme highlights that the exhibitions and events industry “runs the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone”.  We’re shining a light on how integral our work is to the continuation of all businesses and industries. We hope to encourage greater recognition for the influence and effect on economy that exhibitions hold.

“Ever since we launched GED in 2016 as an industry, it has been growing in reach and relevance, and the campaign was crucial to keep decision makers aware of us throughout the dark times of the pandemic. Now, after the post-pandemic recovery, GED allows us to focus and highlight the critical role we play for every industry, every community that we serve. More than ever, we have the opportunity to be seen by policymakers and decision makers as the important sector that we are. I encourage everyone to join this year’s activities”, says Michael Duck, UFI President.

As in previous years, UFI is serving as the central project office for GED. To facilitate the community’s activities for Global Exhibitions Day 2023, UFI has prepared an online toolkit on GED 2023 for interested parties to use when promoting GED.

All businesses and professionals in the sector are encouraged to join the GED celebrations on 7 June 2023 by highlighting the impact of exhibitions on facilitating the communication and collaboration of all types of industries and marketplaces.

This day of advocacy is supported by more than 60 national and international industry associations and facilitated by the UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. How can one get involved?

• Share your GED23 activities and keep updated on industry preparations by visiting www.globalexhibitionsday.org
• Create or take part in a #GED2023 initiative
• Follow the hashtag #GED2023 on all social media platforms
• Share social posts promoting #GED2023 using the correct tags and logos
• Create posts that share stories, product launches, notable event attendees, quotes, and statistics
• Highlight the importance of exhibitions wherever possible
• Ask government officials for endorsement and recognition of the day

Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), the leading trade convention for the meetings and events industry in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, has today released new insights into the success of their 30-year anniversary show which took place over three days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 13 - 15 February 2023.  

A post show analysis has revealed:

• AIME will generate an anticipated $200 million in business between exhibitors and buyers over the next 12 months -  a near 70% increase on 2022;
• 90% of exhibitors were satisfied with their attendance at AIME. This statistic outperforms equivalent benchmarks and places AIME in the top 5% of trade shows globally for exhibitor satisfaction;
• Similarly, nearly 90% of visitors were satisfied with their attendance at AIME. This statistic outperforms both equivalent benchmarks and also previous AIME events. It places AIME in the top 10% of trade shows globally for visitor satisfaction;
• Almost 80% of visitors are likely to return to AIME, feel it’s important in advancing their businesses, and is the place to source new products/services;
• 84% of visitors felt their objectives for attending AIME were met. 

Endorsing the success of the 2023 event, Silke Calder (right photo),  AIME Event Director, said: “These results are testament to the hard work that goes into fostering outstanding business outcomes. From our bespoke technology to the rigorous vetting of buyers, and from our AI powered meeting platform to our first-class Knowledge and AIMEbassadors Programs, the value of business events is championed at every juncture.”

“Excitement is building for AIME 2024, with the majority of 2023 exhibitors already reserving space for next year. This demonstrates both the show’s legacy as well as its importance to the global business events industry. It is also a reason why AIME is one of the most trusted shows in the Asia Pacific Region.” she said. 

Julia Swanson, CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau, is proud of the significant business platform AIME has become over it’s 30 years and the far-reaching commercial outcomes the event drives: “AIME enables new and valuable connections to drive commerce not just for us here in Victoria, but for the wider Asia Pacific Region. At the Melbourne Convention Bureau, we are thrilled with the achievements to date in bringing this event to you, for three decades.”

“At the core, we are about business events and providing the best access to key decision makers and the people who make it all happen. AIME has proven itself as an essential platform for this.” she said. 

Over 400 hosted buyers and media outlets, 3,000 visitors and more than 350 exhibitors attended AIME, where over 12,000 meetings took place. New zoning on the show floor enhanced networking and navigation and new features - The Accor Hosted Buyers Lounge, a new ‘Tech’ area, and a Wellness Café - improved the delegate experience. A huge kangaroo and a special anniversary lanyard featuring First Nations’ artwork were some of the ‘touches of Australia’ visitors were treated to throughout.  

A highly-anticipated Knowledge Program launched AIME on 13 February and saw an inspiring keynote from Australian tennis star, Jelena Dokic. The programme addressed industry hot topics around the future of work including how to build a more resilient events community. 

Delegates celebrated AIME’s 30-year legacy at a Welcome Event co-hosted by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) on the Marvel Stadium oval. State-of-the-art pearl theming celebrating 30 years was reflected in a directional menu created by Victorian producers, Delaware North. Entertainment from Hot Dub Time Machine took revellers through 30-years of dance tunes. 

AIME 2024 will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 19 -21 February 2024.

For expressions of interest or for more information, please visit aime.com.au

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) and the Singapore Tourism Board on 5th October 2022, IEG has established “IEG Asia Pte. Ltd.” in Singapore, continuing, with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), its development plan in Southeast Asia.

Just a few months after signing of the MOU, IEG has made a definitive landing in Singapore with its own company “IEG Asia Pte. Ltd.”, an entirely owned subsidiary, and with two trade show events in the jewellery and food & beverage sectors respectively, acquired from CEMS - Conference & Exhibition Management Services: to be precise, Sije - Singapore International Jewelry Expo and Café and Restaurant Asia.

With this operation, IEG, organiser of Vicenzaoro and Sigep, leading events held in Italy in the jewellery and food sectors, is continuing its expansion strategy into Southeast Asia, starting from Singapore - considered the hub par excellence, both from a logistic and economic point of view - to once again trigger that virtuous circle that, moving from the Rimini and Vicenza areas, strengthens the business of companies at a global level for further spin-off in the territories of origin.

Singapore Tourism Board confirms its support for IEG and IEG Asia in the development of existing events and the launch of new projects that can further strengthen the entire MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) ecosystem in Singapore.

STATEMENTS

“First and foremost,” says Francesco Santa, International Business Development Director at IEG, “we are delighted to confirm the partnership with STB, a guarantee of development and success for the acquired exhibitions. We would also like to emphasise how important synergies between events in Italy and those acquired are, not to mention the consequent impact generated by internationalising our exhibitions on Italian territory.”

According to Ilaria Cicero, CEO of IEG Asia: “The aim is to develop the shows in Singapore, also by leveraging on a mutual, productive exchange of the enormous success of the last edition of Vicenzaoro in January 2023, which was attended by over 1.300 exhibiting brands. The same can be said for Sigep with 1.000 companies exhibiting at the 2023 edition in Rimini”.

“With the dawn of the Aseanisation of the MICE industry in Southeast Asia in this decade,” says Edward Liu - Managing Director, Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd - “and the goals of bringing our events to the next level for Singapore and the region, we are delighted to tie up with the Italian Exhibition Group, which owns the Sigep and the Vicenza Jewellery Shows in Italy and abroad. These signature events would certainly complement our portfolio of the Café and Restaurant Asia series as well as the Singapore International Jewellery Expo (SiJE). IEG‘s strategic plan to expand into the Asia region will enhance our current shows to grow at a faster pace to meet the needs of the Asian market, and this would augur well for the MICE industry in Singapore and beyond in the near future.”

Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board, says: " We warmly welcome IEG’s increased presence in Singapore and their plans to anchor renowned global events here. IEG’s plans, as well as the recent opening of its regional headquarters in Singapore, underscore how our MICE industry is firmly on the recovery trajectory. We look forward to working together to bring in new tradeshows across other sectors as global business travel picks up pace.”

IEG IN ASIA

IEG is already active in Asia with international brands: in the Arab Emirates with Dubai Muscle & Active Show, the Middle East’s leading fitness and body building exhibition, and with JGT Dubai, one of the world’s most prominent jewellery trade shows; in the People’s Republic of China with CDEPE - Chengdu International Environmental Protection Expo, a major trade show for green technologies, and with Sigep China (organised by IEG China, IEG Group company), the show dedicated to gelato, pastry, bakery and coffee, that will be making its debut in 2023 from 10th to 12th May in Shenzhen, in partnership with Koelnmesse.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is inviting talented industry professionals from around the world to apply for the 2023 edition of its “Next Generation Leadership” grant programme.

The goal of the UFI Next Generation Leadership (NGL) Grant is to foster next generation leaders in the exhibition industry and promote talented professionals who demonstrate clear initiative in driving change and innovation in their area of activity. The programme has been a stepping stone for dozens of emerging leaders around the world in recent years. The programme is backed by leading global exhibition organisers Clarion, dmg Events, Emerald, Informa Markets, RX, and Tarsus Group.

NGL Grant applicants are asked to focus on a mission that tackles a critical topic facing the exhibition industry. This year, the mission calls for applicants to write a new blueprint on how to operate events that help industries evolve, help businesses to trade and learn and help every participant benefit personally from their participation.

“The NGL Grant reflects UFI’s commitment to recognising and elevating the best talent in the exhibition industry. Over the years, the programme has produced tangible insights for our industry and shown the talent we have across the exhibition businesses around the world. I invite all professionals to step forward and apply – and I call on all industry leaders to nominate their best and brightest, to encourage and support them to take part,” says Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director and CEO.

UFI awards the NGL Grant to up to five future leaders. The winners will be picked by an international jury, chaired by UFI President Michael Duck (Informa). The programme is open to anyone who works full-time in the exhibition industry but who has done so for no more than ten years. The 2023 programme begins in May and is spread over 8 months, allowing the grant winners to participate while also continuing to fulfil their daily work obligations.

Together, the winners will investigate the future of exhibitions through the 2023 mission. They will work closely with the team at the UFI headquarters in Paris and receive support from the NGL alumni community. They will present their findings in a special session at the 90th UFI Global Congress – the exhibition industry’s leading annual global event – taking place on 1-4 November 2023 in Las Vegas, USA. The grant covers the travel and accommodation needed to attend the event, as well as to attend the UFI European Conference in Maastricht, The Netherlands on 13-14 June 2023.

Applications are open until 9 April 2023. More information is available online at UFI.org 

UFI has released the latest, 30th edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research, which takes the pulse of the industry. The results highlight the quickening pace of the industry’s recovery in 2022 and a positive outlook for 2023.

While there is strong evidence that COVID-19 is behind in most markets, where the full recovery is expected in 2023, there remain a few markets, including China, where this full recovery is not anticipated in 2023. Globally, the level of operations continues to improve, with a proportion of companies declaring a “normal activity” gradually increasing from 30% in January 2022 to 72% in December 2022 and expected to reach 80% in June 2023 – aligning with pre-pandemic levels.

Companies from most markets expect to deliver 2022 results close to their 2019 levels. In terms of operating profit, around half of the companies are declaring an increase or stable level for 2022 compared to 2019 levels and increasing to 7 out of 10 for 2023. Those results for 2022 were achieved with no public financial support for 69% of companies, and for half of those that did, this aid represented less than 10% of their overall costs.

The most pressing business issues also reflect how the industry is now focusing on post-pandemic challenges and opportunities: “Internal management challenges”  (highlighted by 20%  of respondents), “Impact of digitalisation” (16%), and “State of the economy in the home market” and “Global economic developments” (both 15% of answers) are the most common ones. By comparison, the “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business” is now marked by only 5% of companies as one of the most important issues (compared to 19% twelve months ago).

“We can stop focusing on ‘post-pandemic recovery’ – and move on! This 30th edition of our Barometer confirms that the recovery phase is ending in most markets around the world. While every market shows certain specifics, globally attention has shifted toward future challenges. Internal management - primarily staffing - and the need to further develop digitalisation are top of mind around the world,” says Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO at UFI.

"Internal management challenges and digitalisation become the two most pressing industry issues."

Size and scope

This latest edition of UFI’s bi-annual industry survey was concluded in January 2023 and includes data from 367 companies in 56 countries and regions.

The study also includes outlooks and analysis for 21 focus countries and regions – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the USA – as well as five additional aggregated regional zones.

Operations

The highest levels of “normal activity” for the first half of 2023 on average are expected in Brazil (98%), Turkey and the US (95%), the UK (90%), Italy and Thailand (88%), and Spain and UAE (85%). In China, only 29% expect a normal activity, and 40% a reduced one.

This overall very positive outlook is driven by the fact that exhibitions can now be held everywhere in the world, except in some places in China. In parallel, new hygiene measures are reported in several regions (in more than 20% of respondents in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand). In China alone, as of December 2022, and combining all markets, 55% of respondents declared that exhibitions could be held (usually with hygiene measures), 17% reported that “only local events” were and 28% said that events were still not allowed.

Exhibition organizers participating in this edition of the Barometer were also asked to evaluate the “hosted buyers” packages, whereby the organiser invites and hosts selected visitors in return for a guaranteed amount of business meetings with exhibiting companies.

Global results indicate that half of the respondents apply this concept, and while one in four of them are happy with the programmes, two-thirds declare having mixed results. Results vary significantly between specific markets, providing insights into opportunities for hosted buyer programmes.

Turnover, operating profits and public financial support

Globally, on average and excluding China, the revenues for 2022 and 2023 represent 80% and 94% of 2019 levels.

Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Turkey have performed well above this average in 2022 and the UK will join that group in 2023.

In terms of operating profit, the markets in all the countries analysed are above average levels in either 2022 or 2023, or both, except China, Germany, Italy, Thailand, and the US.

Globally, 4% of respondents expect a loss for 2023, compared to 11% for 2022. The highest proportion of companies expecting a loss in 2023 is declared in China (18%), Germany (17%) and Italy (11%).

While the highest proportions of companies receiving public financial support are identified in Europe and Asia-Pacific, there are significant differences across all regional markets, and the percentages of companies declaring that they received “no public support” varies:

• from 69% in the US to 100% in Mexico, for North America
• from 53% in Brazil to 83% in Chile, for Central and South America
• from 12% in Greece to 86% in the UK, for Europe
• from 67% in Saudi Arabia to 91% in the UAE, for the Middle East and Africa
• from 19% in Malaysia to 100% in India, for Asia-Pacific.

Key business issues

“Internal management challenges” is the key business issue for all regions, and it is the most selected issue for most markets. Within “Internal management challenges,” 67% of respondents selected “Human resources”  issues,  44%  selected  “Business model adjustments”,  and  31% selected “Finance”.

For Germany, Italy, the UK and the US, however, “Global economic developments” has become the most pressing issue.

An analysis by industry segment (organiser, venue only and service provider) shows no differences with regard to the three most pressing issues, which remain “Internal management challenges”, “Impact of digitalisation” and “State of the economy in the home market”.

On the occasion of the 30th edition of the Barometer research, a special trend review has been undertaken to show how the industry’s priorities have changed in recent years. The analysis of the trend around top business issues over the 2015-2022 period identifies several important shifts:

• “Impact of digitalisation/Competition with other media” now ranks as the main issue, with 30% of answers (compared with 14% in 2015).
• “Global economic developments/State of the economy in the home market” have dropped from the main issue in 2015 (44% of answers) to 22% in 2021 and 29% in 2022, while the “Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the business” fell from 29% in 2020 to 5% in 2022.
• And “Internal management challenges” has increased from 14% in 2015 to 20% in 2022.

In parallel, “Sustainability/climate and other stakeholders’ issues” has doubled from 4% of answers in  2015  to  8%  in  2022,  while  “Competition from within the exhibition industry” has dropped considerably, from 20% in 2015 to less than 8% in 2022.
 

Future exhibition formats: physical and digital events

In addition to the 88% of companies who are confident that “COVID-19 confirms the value of face-to-face events”:

• 26% (compared to 44% and 63% previously) believe there will be “Less international ‘physical’ exhibitions and, overall, less participants” (with 5% stating “Yes, for sure”, 22% stating “Most probably” and 31% remaining unsure);
• 57% (compared to 73% and 80% previously) believe there is “A push towards hybrid events, more digital elements at events” (with 10% stating “Yes, for sure”, 47% stating “Most probably” and 25% remaining unsure);
• 5% (compared to 11% and 14% previously) agree that “Virtual events are replacing physical events”, while 11% are unsure and 84% state “Not sure at all” or “Definitely not”.

Background

The 30th Global Barometer survey, concluded in January 2023, provides insights from 367 companies, across 56 countries and regions. It was conducted in collaboration with 21 UFI member associations:

AAXO  (The  Association  of  African  Exhibition  Organizers)  and  EXSA  (Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa) in South Africa, AEO (Association of Event Organisers) in the UK, AFE (Spanish Trade Fairs Association) in Spain, AFEP (Asociacion de Ferias del Peru) in Peru, AFIDA (Asociación Internacional de Ferias de América) in Central & South America, AKEI (The Association of Korean Exhibition Industry) in South Korea, AMPROFEC (Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales de Ferias y Exposiciones y Convenciones) in Mexico, AOCA (Asociación Argentina de Organizadores  y  Proveedores  de  Exposiciones,  Congresos,  Eventos  y  de  Burós  de Convenciones)  in  Argentina,  EEAA  (The  Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia) in Australasia, IECA/ASPERAPI (Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association) in Indonesia, IEIA (Indian Exhibition Industry Association) in India, JEXA (Japan Exhibition Association) in Japan, MFTA (Macau Fair & Trade Association) in Macau, MACEOS (Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers) in Malaysia, SCEGA (Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority) in Saudi Arabia, SECB (Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau) in Singapore, SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) for the US, SOKEE (Greek Exhibition Industry Association) in Greece, TEA (Thai Exhibition Association) in Thailand, UBRAFE (União Brasileira dos Promotores Feiras) in Brazil and UNIMEV (French Meeting Industry Council) in France.

In line with UFI’s objective to provide vital data and best practices to the entire exhibition industry, the full results can be downloaded at UFI
The next UFI Global Exhibition Barometer survey will be conducted in June 2023. 

There has been a high demand for South Africa at Vakantiebeurs 2023 following the incredible success of the 360° localised LIVE AGAIN rolled out for North Europe in 2022. The residual awareness of this campaign allowed South Africa to be top of mind for Dutch consumers and trade, a message continuously reiterated over the five days at the show.

South African Tourism North Europe, servicing the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden have kicked off 2023 with a South African pavilion at Vakantiebeurs. Vakantiebeurs attracted over 65 000 consumers over the course of the four consumer days and over 8 000 travel trade on the trade day.

Six South African products joined the South African Tourism pavilion, inclusive of two provinces, namely WESGRO and Tourism Kwa-Zulu Natal and two SMMEs – Travel for Change and Royal Thonga Lodge. Other South African product present on the pavilion were Aquila Safaris and Cape Recife Lighthouse and Bellevue Nature Reserve.

South African Tourism North Europe focused on creating excitement at the South African pavilion for South African product and partners by inviting long-time B2B trade partner, Africa Feeling to host their famous high tea on the trade day, and this attracted 30 travel agents to the pavilion. The trade day also saw key partners and trade visiting the pavilion throughout the day for pre – set meetings as well as over 100 people to the late afternoon networking event. This event allowed for a much-needed in-person networking opportunity to share positive stories on how the recovery of the industry has been going. Vakantiebeurs and South African Tourism’s presence came at an opportune time, off the back of a very successful 2022 for partners, validated by strong arrival statistics.

The Netherlands recorded 10 374 for November 2022, bringing the total arrivals for January to November 2022 to 79 489 – a 373,6% increase when compared to arrivals over the same period in 2021. This now positions the Netherlands as the third largest source market out of Europe, preceded by the UK and Germany. This is significant as it reflects positive traction for the demand creation work that has been done in market through the localised LIVE AGAIN campaign that encouraged travelers to explore South Africa’s “lekker local tips”. This campaign was launched in March 2022 and allowed for the opportunity to experience South Africa through the eyes of locals who use their “lekker local tips” to highlight the beautiful parts of the country.

The North Europe hub also boasts exciting plans for the year ahead, communicating a stronger focus on responsible tourism, a deliberate focus on collaboration with trade, diversity initiatives and market access while ramping up demand through media investment leveraging a localised global campaign to inspire travelers to come to South Africa.

In the midst of the transition from traditional agriculture to increasingly high-tech farming systems, Infoagro Exhibition, the international trade fair for intensive production and auxiliary industry, wanted to highlight those exhibitors who have opted for digital technologies that facilitate work in the field.

It has therefore created the VíaSmart label, with which numerous companies exhibiting at the show will be able to highlight their products and services with agricultural applications based on digital technologies. The fair will take place from 10 to 12 May 2023 at the Palacio de Congresos in Aguadulce, Almería.

VíaSmart, which will be a new feature at the fourth edition of the fair, will visually highlight, just as the VíaEco label for companies with products for organic farming already does, those companies that have digital technology solutions, both by placing the label on the exhibitor company's stand: in the catalogue of companies belonging to the SmartAgro sector; on the map of the exhibition area in the exhibitors' guide, and on the badges of the professionals who belong to these companies. In addition, ViaSmart companies will be able to disseminate the knowledge provided by their solutions to professional visitors to the show through technology-themed conferences.

In this way, companies that include in their catalogue products and services based on smart intelligent solutions; neural networks; data mining; artificial vision; artificial intelligence; deep learning; robotisation; equipment that includes data processing; or software applied to agriculture, among other digital technologies, will be eligible to receive ViaSmart recognition.

Thus, under the VíaSmart umbrella, there will be a place for companies that produce drones for agriculture; that include IoT for agricultural activity; that have management software for agriculture and/or for the management of machinery, vehicles or fleets; with agricultural robots; or that market intelligent sensors or electronic systems for diagnosis or automatic guidance; intelligent irrigation systems; electronic systems for precision agriculture; GPS and satellite positioning systems; Isobus systems for communication between tractors, software and equipment; GIS software and services; cloud solutions for agriculture and other telematic systems. Start-ups and new innovative companies based on this type of technology will also be included under this label.

In order to obtain this distinction, exhibiting companies that have this type of products and services in their catalogue must apply to the organisers, providing information on the digital solutions in their portfolio.

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has today announced details of its highly anticipated Knowledge Program for 2023 which will include an address from Australian tennis star, Jelena Dokic.

The Knowledge Program will launch AIME on 13 February 2023. It will see a mix of industry business leaders and renowned professionals as well as keynote speakers from Saxton Speakers Bureau (Saxton) and ICMI Speakers & Entertainers (ICMI). This is in addition to breakout sessions which are designed for event professionals working across corporate, association, not-for-profit and supplier sectors.

The programme theme for 2023 is "Your Industry. Your Opportunity. What is the opportunity for the events industry now?" and will ask how, after much upheaval, renewal and refocus, the business events sector can emerge stronger and more important. Major industry discussion points around the future of work, how to build resilient cultures, what to do in a crisis, upskilling and  wellness will  be discussed. 

The programme will be hosted by industry leader, El Kwang, Chief Commercial Officer at The Venues Collection, AIMEbassador and Chair of the Knowledge Program Advisory Committee. Confirmed speakers for the day include Professor Ben Hamer and Jelena Dokic. Hamer is a media commentator, podcast host and author of The Kickass Career and will cover the future of work in his keynote. Australian tennis legend, Dokic, will draw on her extraordinary life experience to deliver an important talk around wellbeing and resilience.

Speaker sessions will be complemented by EQ (emotional intelligence) and IQ (intelligence) streams, designed to address both the hard and soft skills needed to thrive in the business events industry. The day will end with associations setting the vision for the future of the industry. Music from SongDivision will bring learnings from the day to life.

In anticipation of her keynote, Dokic said: “It is wonderful to see an industry putting health, wellbeing and resilience front-and-centre. It is clear the business events industry is moving at breakneck speed and these themes could not be more timely. Building resilient workforces will permeate the future of workplace dialogue and I am pleased to be part of this movement.”

New for AIME 2023 is the Knowledge Program Advisory Committee. Eight leaders from the Asia Pacific meetings and events industry have, for the first time, curated all program content ensuring discussions will leave attendees more invigorated than ever before.

Anna Patterson, Founder, Sight, and member of the committee is confident the programme will spark interest, stir debate and engage all areas of the events industry: “We are at a pivotal point in our industry’s trajectory and we need to think more about the future. The Knowledge Program is about empowering people by sharing experiences and focusing on the opportunities for what’s next. It’s a privilege to be a part of AIME for the 30th anniversary and help guide this program,” she said.

Silke Calder (photo above), AIME Event Director, is proud of AIME’s education programme, which both enriches and enhances the APAC business events community: “On the back of a monumental 2022, everyone is starting to feel the ‘burn’. Event planners more than ever are having to balance the practical skills of event planning with the more humanistic qualities which build connection within our workplaces and our events. We have kept this front of mind when curating the 2023 Knowledge Program, selecting a diverse range of speakers and sessions to create space for us as individuals, and together as an industry, to inspire leadership, creativity and map a better path forward.”

AIME’s Knowledge Program will kick-off AIME on Monday 13 February 2023. AIME 2023 will run from 13 –15 February at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Visitor Buyers wanting to attend the Knowledge Program can up-grade their ticket.

For more details on the Knowledge Program including latest announcements visit the website

“Reconnect”, “resume” or “reboot” are fairly recurrent words that the meetings industry has resorted to in this year of pandemic slowdown. Last May, Athens stepped up to the plate and stood before an audience of international buyers to promote its MICE products.

While certain destinations have taken advantage of this downtime to revamp teams, planning and even branding from one end to the other, others have only made one-off changes waiting for borders to reopen. In an extremely competitive market such as ours, putting these plans into practice does not embody within the same strategies or lead to the same results. To keep going is not as easy as it looks and that was one of the big takeaways from this trip to Athens this past May. For a start, the dense history of the city, cradle of Western civilisation and democracy, helps us explain the resilience and perseverance that time-based interruptions like COVID arouse – if just those walls could speak. But even if we think about Athens’ role as a global city due to its geo-strategic location and its importance in international trade, arts, culture, education and tourism, we find that change and progress does not strike fear into their hearts.

The answer to these yearnings was at Travel Trade Athens 2022: a must-attend annual event for events and travel professionals, connecting over 70 international buyers with the leading suppliers to the Greek tourism and MICE industries. International travel industry experts, representatives of various international associations and members of the international press, did not miss the call for this two-day immersive event, connecting Athens to key markets in Europe, the UK, the United States, and the Middle East. Organised by This is Athens-Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB), in cooperation with the European Tourism Association (ETOA), the small tradeshow provided over 1,500 meetings with officials from 90 Greek companies with the aim of strengthening local Greek industry to international opportunities in this recovery framework. And as traders prepared for work at the luxurious Hotel Grande Bretagne, a press conference next door at the King George Hotel was cutting the ribbons for the event with leading figures from the Greek industry. Athens Mayor, Kostas Bakoyannis, Aegean airlines President, Eftychios Vasilakis, Athens International Airport Communications and Marketing Director, Ioanna Papadopoulou and Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) CEO Vagelis Vlachos, took the pulpit to outline the various points on the promotion and profile of Athens for the times ahead. These included the announcement of a new Schengen lounge area at Elefthérios Venizélos airport, a 92% recovery in air traffic compared to last year, a strategic rise in the EU market and a commitment to reduce the carbon footprint by 100% by 2025.

“Despite all the difficulties given to us, the pandemic also gave us an opportunity to design and activate a comprehensive development plan for the City of Athens. It was a chance to reposition and develop Athens as an attractive, accessible, and sustainable city,” Vlachos told us. To implement this strategy, the city has focused on two pillars: emphasising conferences and meetings in order to position itself as a top choice for business travellers, and promoting and empowering local businesses with initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and innovation along with a roadmap for sustainable measures. It was also interesting to hear Mayor Bakoyannis portray the convergence between quality of life for residents and investment in Athens as a visitor destination: “In recent years, Athens has emerged as a destination for city breaks, for business travel, for investment and lm productions. (...) In the coming years we must start to change the paradigm and change the way we think. We have to understand our city holistically, not to separate the tourist from the local economy, but to treat our destination and our city as one.” A clear example of this was the This is Athens- City Festival with over 100 activities during the month of May for locals and visitors.

A short programme along Athens

The first leg on this family tour took us to The National Gallery − also known as the Alexandros Soutzos Museum, with its more than 20,000 works of art, it is considered the most important art museum in Greece and is particularly notable for its collection of Greek painting and sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries. However, what caught our attention most was undoubtedly the Ellinikon Experience Park, still under construction. Europe’s largest urban regeneration project that aims to be a multi-dimensional destination for global tourism, growing businesses and inclusive communities, connecting the heart of Athens with its charming coastline. Spreading over an area three times the size of Monaco, Greece’s largest development project is an €8 billion investment that aims to offer a multi-purpose mix of public parks, waterfront residences, retail and event spaces. It is expected to add up to 4.4% to the country’s economy and 75,000 jobs once completed, according to the developers. We end the day at the impressive Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, a double building on Faliro Bay that includes the National Library and the Greek National Opera, as well as the sprawling Stavros Niarchos Park.

“Despite all the difficulties given to us, the pandemic also gave us an opportunity to design and activate a comprehensive development plan for the City of Athens. It was a chance to reposition and develop Athens as an attractive, accessible, and sustainable city,”

The Megaron Athens International Conference Centre – an AIPC member – is arguably the premier venue for large conferences attached to one of the city's landmarks, the imposing Athens Concert Hall. In the building’s facilities, there is a total offer of 143,000 square meters and a selection of 18 spaces (with 4 main auditoriums) for meetings, combined with large exhibition areas and foyer totalling 12,000 square meters. Conceived as a large-scale, multifunctional cultural centre, Megaron is fully equipped to accommodate concerts and other musical events as well as conferences, with a total capacity of 6,000 delegates. A 30-minute walk away to the National Garden, we come across another historic building revitalised as a conference and exhibition centre for both public and private purposes. A monumental palace dedicated to the most pronounced principles of Olympism, the Zappeion Megaron has 4,546 square meters of exhibition and congress halls and a Peristyle Central Circular Atrium, fully equipped to meet the needs of scientific conferences, and sports exhibitions. The visit continued through the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum and ended at the illustrious Acropolis Museum, before returning to the hotel through the picturesque and charming Anafiotika neighborhood (Plaka).

UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) that will enable Malaysian business events professionals to access the globally-recognised UFI Certified Professional designation (UCP) in 2023. 


With courses on exhibition management and venue management, Malaysia’s new UCP training programme will be developed with and delivered by industry experts from Malaysia and beyond.


The agreement was signed by MyCEB Chief Operating Officer Noor Ahmad Hamid and UFI Managing Director & CEO Kai Hattendorf at the 89th UFI Global Congress in Muscat, Oman. 


Kai Hattendorf says: “Building on UFI’s very strong relationship with MyCEB, we’re excited to jointly focus on new support for education and training for our peers in Malaysia’s business events industry. Together with such trusted international partners, we can provide professionals around the world the opportunity to learn from the best in their field, and to showcase that with the UCP designation.” 


Noor Ahmad Hamid adds: UFI’s leadership in the global exhibition industry is highly respected and we value this opportunity to collaborate through this momentous MoU signed during the 89th UFI Congress. The introduction of UCP programme to the Malaysian industry players will further advance our professionalism. We hope to continue this good relationship with UFI for other innovative collaborations in the future. With this, we are prepared for everything that may arise in 2023 and beyond.” 


The decision to open up the UCP programme in Malaysia is based on a shared belief that both UFI and MyCEB will benefit from actively supporting a highly skilled, agile workforce who are prepared to do business globally.


The UCP programme is tailored to the specific needs of exhibition organisers and venues in each region of the world where it operates. The curriculum developed under this new partnership will be designed to boost professionalism in Malaysia’s business events sector – in line with MyCEB's work to establish a national Business Events Standard. Options may range from business development, leadership and crisis management, to digital innovation and sustainable development. 


Graduates of the Malaysian programme will receive an internationally recognised UCP certification, becoming part of the dynamic global network of UFI professionals. In this way, each new business to offer the UCP programme to its employees contributes to raising industry standards worldwide. 


The UCP was launched in 2021 at the request of UFI members, based on the organisation’s long experience in delivering globally relevant, regionally-adapted training for exhibition industry professionals. The UCP programme consists of two foundation programmes and a wide range of specialised modules, delivered by UFI and carefully selected educational partners.

The UCP’s modular structure enables training to be adapted to the employees of each company. As well as a ‘pick and choose’ course for individual professionals, companies benefit from in-house solutions to re-skill and up-skill their work force.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy will keynote the 89th edition of the annual Global Congress. Registration pacing trends show the 2022 event to be one of the largest and most diverse in UFI history.

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced today the keynote for its 89th annual Global Congress, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and director of the critically acclaimed Marvel Studio’s series Ms. Marvel.  

This year’s Congress will take place in Muscat, Oman, on 14-17 November, and is tracking to be among the largest ever gathering of leaders of the exhibition and business events industry.

The 2022 iteration of the UFI Global Congress is the first to return to the Middle East since 2012, though UFI has hosted regular regional conferences each spring in the region. UFI CEO, Kai Hattendorf said, “We couldn’t be prouder to bring the industry to Oman for this year’s event. The Middle East, and Oman specifically, has shown significant investment and commitment to developing a world-class business-events ecosystem.

They are embracing our sector as a driver of economic growth. We are excited to be working with the host team to put on this truly unique event, and our promising early-registration numbers show that industry professionals are also eager to meet again face-to-face, and to see what Oman has to offer.

Long renowned for its networking, the UFI Global Congress is also at the forefront of industry thought leadership. Ms. Obaid Chinoy keynote will begin the Congress with an audio-visual journey about uncovering the unseen, and the entire programme will be expertly guided by former broadcast journalist, Eithne Treanor.

In addition, the programme will cover topics such as the state of the economy, global risks and opportunities, and trends in the industry. It will also dive into transformational topics, like the industry’s sustainability agenda and talent narrative, as well as data and insights for creating serendipity. Further, the UFI Global Congress will feature the first-ever “Industry Board meeting”, which will cover the 2023 agendas of senior members of preeminent organisations in our industry.

This year, the Congress is on pace to attract over 500 attendees from more than 50 countries and regions — including new faces to the industry and first-time attendees. The UFI Global Congress is the global meeting place for the industry, both for newbies and veterans of the industry.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau(TCEB), in partnership with Phuket City and Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, welcomed nine Enquiry Mission Members from 'Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)', the governing body of World Expos, as guests of the Thai Government from 24-29 July 2022 on their inspection trip to Bangkok and Phuket to evaluate the Phuket’s candidacy to host Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand.

Should Phuket be selected, the island would be the first city in ASEAN to host world-class expo. Themed “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”, Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand will take place from 20 March – 17 June 2028 on a site measuring 141 rai (22.56 hectares) at the northern tip of Phuket island known as Mai Khao Beach. TCEB is projecting a minimum of 7 million expo visitation and a revenue of 50 billion baht for Thailand. The Expo is an opportunity to raise the quality of life for residents of the province by accelerating infrastructural development for transport, healthcare, and tourism.  

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of TCEB said: “Representing the Thai government, TCEB had worked with Phuket in the preparation for the bid to host Specialised Expo 2028 since 2020. That initial expression of interest was followed by the first country presentation to BIE in June, when TCEB and Phuket shared Thailand’s vision for Expo 2028 Phuket at BIE’s headquarter in Paris. The recently concluded Enquiry Mission is an important next-step in the selection process of a host city. During their visit, the nine members of the Enquiry Mission met all related parties to determine the degree of support from national, provincial, and municipal authorities in the organisation of the Expo.

“The key priority for BIE is post-expo area development. For this, we are highlighting that the facilities built for Expo 2028 Phuket will be re-developed into the World Medical and Wellness Center with provisions for public-private partnerships in healthcare and wellness, education, and sustainable living. The Expo will benefit not only the city of Phuket but also other provinces on the Andaman coast and Thailand. The Expo is expected to generate 110,000 jobs, increase Thailand’s gross domestic product by 39.357 billion baht, and raise tax revenues by 9.512 billion baht. The Thai government is projecting a return-on-investment of 900%.

“Most importantly, Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand will spotlight Thailand and Phuket as a world-class destination and promote health and wellness tourism. We have started to prepare for our second country presentation in November when we hope to convince BIE of Phuket’s global appeal. Should Phuket succeed, it will the first time a world-class expo is being held in Southeast Asia. Let us all give our support to Phuket.”

Mr. Narong Wun Siew, the Governor of Phuket Province said: “The city of Phuket has worked closely with TCEB, Vachira Phuket Hospital, and public and private organisations since 2020 to prepare for the candidacy of Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand. To impress upon BIE’s Enquiry Mission Members, the extent of local support for the Expo, the city set up a provincial committee made up of representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society organisations, and local communities. These are the people who have helped raise awareness for the Expo, made preparations for the site, and compiled data in support of the project. They briefed the Enquiry Mission Members on the proposed site, future plans, legal matters, marketing plans, tourism infrastructure, and the province’s unique features that exemplify the Expo theme of ‘Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity’. We also emphasised how the site will be transformed into a world-class centre for health & wellness tourism and holistic healing when Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand is over, and how the global exposure gained in 2028 will continue to benefit the local economy long into the future. Apart from generating revenue for an estimated number of ten thousand million baht for Phuket, the Expo will allow us to fast-track infrastructure development and raise the Phuket’s capacity to host international events. The result is a better quality of life for residents of Phuket and adjacent provinces.”

Before the idea for Phuket to host the Expo was conceived, the Thai government had already initiated several projects to grow Phuket into a health and wellness destination. The core project is the World Medical and Wellness Center which will occupy much of the Expo site at Mai Khao Sub-District, Thalang District of Phuket. Post-expo, many of the Expo pavilions and structures will be re-developed into facilities according to the original master plan. These include an international medical and wellness centre, a convention centre, a public park for health and rehabilitation, an ecology-learning centre, and public spaces that promote physical and mental wellness. To organise Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand, the Thai government has approved the budget framework of 4.18 billion baht.  

Other than Thailand, Argentina, Serbia, Spain and the USA are also vying to host an expo in 2028. BIE will reveal the finalists after the second country presentation in November and the winning host country in June 2023.

Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) and Deutsche Messe (Hannover) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that foresees a 50% acquisition on the part of IEG of Deutsche Messe’s companies in Mexico, Canada and the USA. 

A valuable and powerful boost not only for the internationalisation process of their respective trade show products, but also for launching new activities in the economic sectors covered by both Italian Exhibition Group and Deutsche Messe.

Ten Trade Shows are Involved in the Operation 

To be precise, Deutsche Messe is active in Mexico with eight events, two of which - Mexico Active & Sports (Leon, 2-3 December 2022) for the fitness sector and Ecomondo Mexico for the green technologies sector – are already in partnership with IEG.

In fact, Deutsche Messe and Italian Exhibition Group, two of Europe's largest exhibition organisers with pre-covid turnovers of €355 and €179 million respectively, had already signed an initial business agreement in March 2021 to organise a series of events in Mexico.

The remaining six Mexican trade shows in Deutsche Messe's portfolio are:

• MEM Industrial in the technology, processing and accessories sector for the furniture industry, scheduled to take place in Mexico City from 7 to 9 March 2023;
• Agrotech Mexico and World Seafood Industry which will take place simultaneously from 26 to 28 April 2023 in Guadalajara with focus respectively on technological innovation in the agricultural and aquaculture sectors;
• Solar Power Mexico, leader in the field of solar energy and scheduled to take place in Leon from 12 to 14 July (alongside Ecomondo Mexico);
• Festival del Adulto Mayor GTO (from 4 to 6 August 2022 in Leon) which focuses on wellness for the over-50s;
• And lastly, again in Leon from 5 to 7 October 2022, Industrial Transformation Mexico dedicated to industry 4.0.

In Toronto, Canada, Deutsche Messe presides over the renewable energy sector with ETC Electricity Transformation Canada (to be held from 26-28 October 2022). While it has taken Hannover Messe USA, (12 to 17 September 2022 in Chicago), the American edition of the giant HANNNOVER MESSE, the absolute leader on the theme of industrial transformation, to the United States.

"We are very much looking forward to intensifying our cooperation with IEG as a competent, growth-oriented partner that manages a trade fair portfolio that ideally complements Deutsche Messe AG's events in the Americas," said Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutsche Messe AG. "Building on our very fruitful and positive initial experiences of working together in Mexico, we are now taking the next logical step and are aiming to further scale our success story".   

“With this new and wide-ranging agreement,” commented Corrado Peraboni (cover photo), CEO of IEG, “Deutsche Messe and IEG will add new elements of substantial sharing, making way for a stable and total collaboration that will bring together organisations and expertise and enhance the value of the activities carried out in the countries covered by the joint venture, which are strategic on the global economic chessboard. The absolutely complementary nature of the portfolios of the two companies is the best prerequisite for the agreement to turn out to be Win-Win. IEG in particular, will add the trade show branch to its activity in the United States, which so far, has focused on exhibition set-ups through the specialised company, FB International”.

The operation, which is subject to the positive outcome of the due diligences that are about to begin, will involve constituting a joint venture under Italian law that will be based in Rimini and which will control the overseas companies.

At FIEXPO Latin America 2022 the organisation is preparing to celebrate our 15th anniversary, in a new face- to-face edition in Panama.

From June 13 to 16, FIEXPO will receive more than two hundred qualified hosted buyers and exhibitors from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Foz do Iguaçu, Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, as well as prestigious hotel chains and specialised suppliers from the entire value chain of the Meetings and Incentives Industry.

Participants will have the opportunity to access a top level academic exchange with indisputable industry leaders selected jointly with MPI, SITE, ICCA, UFI, PCMA, Destinations International and COCAL. The speakers will address important thematic axes such as the impact of strategies in the era of sustainability, the industry’s incorporation of disruptive technologies and the impact of crypto and NFTS, mindfulness in the post-pandemic era and the implementation of Business Development strategies amid major geopolitical changes. Additionally, ICCA members will have a chance to train and participate in an educational programme specially designed to enhance their business acquisition. Young professionals in our industry will be able to participate in the FIEXPO & ICCA Next Generation Summit, a forum where we will address the main issues when recruiting and retaining new talent.

The Convention Bureau One Day Challenge will be co-organised with Destinations International and will offer participants a high-level theoretical framework where outstanding international leaders will address issues of relevance to destinations, together with a framework where they can implement the knowledge acquired. On the other hand, the Latin American and International Professional Associations Forum aims to achieve the highest level of management of associations and congress organisers through an open exchange of information among its members.

The 9th Latin American Politician`s Forum on the Meetings Industry will convene ministers and authorities from the main associations in our industry. The topics of this year's debate will focus on the importance of the brand of a destination to enhance its regional and international relevance, investment and promotion as a key to success for attracting and capturing events, also including the components that make a destination competitive.

One of the main novelties in this edition is the first SITE Ibero America Meet, which seeks to promote the joint work among members and to generate a sound foundation for the exchange of business between professionals from Ibero-America.

FIEXPO Latin America is preparing a great celebration and encounter in Panama in June.

For more information, please visit the website

The second series of Penang Career Expo "Ekspo Jom Cari Kerja" continues on the 16th of April 2022 at the Ixora Hotel in mainland from 10 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, stated that Penang must re-engineer and recalibrate its strategy to address the rising shortcomings and challenges as Malaysia ushers in economic revival as borders reopen.

“The exhibitors provided encouraging feedback, stating that the Penang Career Expo is a timely initiative as they are able to recruit new talents and overcome insufficient manpower,” he said.

He added that the two years of Covid-19 contingency planning has taught a valuable lesson which is to think, prepare, and act ahead and always keep industry sustainability and business continuity in mind in all of the decision-making processes.

The purpose of the expo is to provide a platform for job seekers and talent scouts to meet and reconnect to generate extra job prospects in the tourism industry. Penang Career Expo 2022 is designed to address the challenges of career search in this challenging era from the perspectives of both job seekers and potential employers.

Exhibitors encompass hotels, travel agencies, attractions, and a variety of other tourism-related businesses, as the expo aims to create an open recruitment platform for industry participants to explore, appraise, and communicate with existing and emerging talent for future hiring and career development.

Penang is also the very first state to conduct a tourism and hospitality career expo, and is now looking to collaborate with educational institutions and universities to raise awareness among the youths on employment opportunities in the state, especially in tourism and hospitality industry.

Penang Career Expo "Ekspo Jom Cari Kerja," a Penang State Government effort through the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), supported by Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter (MAH), Association of Tourism Attractions Penang (ATAP), Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) and Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions (MATFA).

The Penang Career Expo held last Saturday at St. Giles Wembley received a positive response from the public and the exhibitors who are also the key industry players. Some organisations are even ready to provide educational platforms for candidates, such as training for fresh graduates or inexperienced individuals and refresher courses for those returning to the industry.

New Zealand’s premier business events tradeshow, MEETINGS is heading to Ōtautahi Christchurch and event organisers from across the country can now register to visit for the day on 15 or 16 June.

Run by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), MEETINGS is now in its 26th year, and over 200 hosted buyers from Australia and New Zealand are already signed up for the pre-scheduled appointment programme. They can meet exhibitors from 18 regions across more than 200 stands at the new Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says MEETINGS is unmissable for anyone who organises business events.

“This is a once-only opportunity for those planning their next business event to discover all of New Zealand in one day, with the incredible bonus of being able to visit the South Island and experience Ōtautahi and New Zealand’s newest venue. At no other time will they see such a diverse range of New Zealand destinations, venues, hotels, activities and services all in one place,” Hopkins says.

“The day buyer programme is ideal for event planners who prefer to come independently without any pre-scheduled appointments. They will receive a swag of benefits, including registration, free airport transfers, lunch and refreshments throughout the day, professional development and knowledge sessions.

“Our MEETINGS guests will be among the first to experience New Zealand’s next-generation venue - Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre - in action, and check out the exciting new city in its beautiful riverside setting,” she says.

“If they would prefer two days, our host hotels have great rates for anyone who wishes to stay overnight.”

ChristchurchNZ head of Business Events Megan Crum says Ōtautahi Christchurch is excited to welcome event organisers from across New Zealand and Australia.

“Christchurch is such an epic conference destination, and we can’t wait to show everyone why it’s the perfect place to meet,” she says.

“Flying in across the snow-laden Southern Alps will be a bucket-list experience in itself. From the moment they arrive, we will be ready with an exceptionally warm welcome at Christchurch Airport, and from there it’s just a short and scenic drive to the new city centre,” Crum says.

Day buyers who register to attend MEETINGS in Christchurch can choose to attend professional development sessions relevant to business events, plus the Celebrity Speakers Showcase packed with New Zealand’s best speaking talent. The Tourism New Zealand Regional Showcase will be a valuable chance to learn what’s new in each of the regions.

Fully hosted buyer applications close on 14 April. The MEETINGS Hosted Buyer experience includes a personalised diary of exhibitor appointments as well as complimentary air travel, accommodation, registration, and networking events.

MEETINGS day buyer registrations are now open here, and hosted buyer applications can be made online before 14 April here.

Registration for the 16th instalment of Meetings Africa is officially open. Following the announcement by South African Tourism (SAT) last year that the trade show will be staged in a physical format after an absence in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Meetings Africa is set to reignite Africa’s business events industry.

The show promises to offer an array of exhibitors and buyers from across Africa and the world, an opportunity to meet as they partner to contribute to rebuilding the continent's business events industry. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the global business events industry, however, as the business events industry on the African continent, we remain optimistic and we are thrilled to invite global buyers to come network and do business with our exhibitors from across the African continent,” says Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Bureau Officer at the South Africa National Convention Bureau.

“There has been a resounding call for face-to-face business engagement from our industry players, and we are confident in executing a safe event. While we understand the severe blow that has been dealt to the industry, we are also confident in creating a conducive platform for our participants. Buyers who will not be able to travel to South Africa due to travel restrictions will be accommodated through a minimal virtual platform. Meetings Africa is a representation of the unrelenting spirit of an African industry that forges ahead and opens its doors to the world,” adds Kotze-Nhlapo. 

Meetings Africa celebrated its 15th anniversary in February 2020 before the world closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hosted 324 exhibiting companies from across the continent.

At Meetings Africa 2022, the SANCB, in collaboration with its valued partners, will implement a revamped, globally bench-marked hosted buyer programme to ensure a successful exhibitor-buyer trade show experience.

The show will take place in a physical format at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 28 February to 2 March 2022, with BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day) hosted on 28 February. 

To register for the show, please visit the website www.meetingsafrica.co.za