UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, organized the 12th Open Seminar in Asia in Singapore. Nearly 240 delegates from 21 countries and territories gathered in Singapore last week to take stock of their industry, which continues to grow, despite plenty of economic and political uncertainties. Seismic changes such as Brexit, the emerging policies of the Trump administration and slow economic growth in key markets all suggest challenging times lay ahead. However, the Asian exhibition industry has proven time after time that it is well-positioned to grow in the face of less than ideal economic and political circumstances.
The theme of this year’s seminar, “Adapting and Upgrading,” examined how the industry is changing and why. The changes include: strong and increasing competition between venues after a decade of building and investment in venue infrastructure, the influence of e-commerce players like Alibaba that has partnered with UBM in Asia and finally, the change brought by new technology and apps on the venue floor which are slowly, but surely changing the way visitors and exhibitors interact.
This year’s UFI Open Seminar in Asia was hosted by several key industry organizations in Singapore – including Suntec Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organiser and Suppliers (SACEOS). It is also supported by UFI’s Diamond Sponsors: Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Global Experience Specialists (GES).
Source: Business Strategies Group Hong Kong – www.bsgasia.com
