July 2022

Media Partner From India Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations

July 2022 Vol 10 Issue 12 Voice of Asia’s Exhibition & Convention Industry

EXHIBITION EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2022 REIGNITES ENTHUSIASM

TAKING THE

SPECIAL INTERVIEW Wolfram N. Diener, President & CEO, Messe Düsseldorf

POST SHOW REPORT Meet The Winners of EEA2022

RISKS IPO ON THE CARDS

RAKESH KUMAR Director General, Export Promo on Council For Handicra s & Chairman, India Exposi on Mart Limited

Dear Readers, India's iconic, one and only recognition initiative for the industry – 6th edition of the Exhibition Excellence Awards finally brought back the smiles on the faces of our dear fraternity. The much-awaited gathering of the Indian Exhibition Industry was finally held in person after the gap of two and half years. The event saw a massive participation with over 400 industry delegates coming together in person to attend the India's iconic event for the exhibition industry.

The stature and depth of this initiative reflects from the fact that this year the Awards were supported by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, National Small Industry Corporation, The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UFI - the global association of exhibition industry, IEIA - the Voice of the Indian Exhibition Industry, AFECA, IAEE, NSIC, IESA, ICPB, SITE, PATA, TAAI, NIMA, ADTOI, IATTE.

ASSOCIATION

CORPORATE BUZZ

I remember that in our initial conversations with our international process advisory partner we deliberated whether this will be the right time to bring back the awards and whether we will be able to bring relevant categories into context.

After many discussions, we decided that we must acknowledge the torchbearers who stood tall in the times of the pandemic and also extended the consideration window to 27 months so that the majority of pandemic period gets covered against our standard 12 months window. We also developed new categories keeping the times in mind as our main focus was to acknowledge the excellence of Indian exhibition industry wholistically across various parameters and factors.

It is heartening to see that the event was highly appreciated by all stake holders, participants and received a very good response from the fraternity. The love and admiration showered on the EEA initiative this year is unprecedented. It is so heartening to see the acceptance that EEA has received from the fraternity and this gives us a sense of respite that all our hard work & commitment towards this initiative has borne good fruit.

We will come back with Exhibition Excellence Awards in 2023 to keep the inspired and to recognize the achievements of the year 2022. Before I sign off, I would like to thank all our partners, sponsors & my colleagues who made their valuable & precious contributions for the success of EEA2022.

This simple picture says so much. Its sent to me by an awardee at EEA2022 and indeed fills my heart with a lot of humility.

Stay Inspired!

JULY 2022

CON T E N T S

35-55 Pg. 16-23 Interviews 16-20 In Conversation With Rakesh Kumar, Director General, Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts & Chairman, India Exposition Mart Limited 21-23 Exhibition Showcase Talks To Wolfram N. Diener, President & CEO, Messe Düsseldorf

Pg. 25-31 Industry Sends Their Messages For Exhibition Excellence Awards Pg. 32-34 The 6th Edition Of The Exhibition Excellence Awards Brings Back Smiles On The Faces Of The Fraternity

12 Pg. 08-09 World Map Pg. 10-11 Industry In Pictures From The World Of Social Media

16-20

Pg. 42-46 Winners In Service Providers Segment

Pg. 12 Quick Bytes 12

Pg. 35-41 Winners In Exhibition Organisers Segment

Hyve To Sell Ukrainian Business In Management Buy-out

Pg. 47-48 Winners In Venues Segment Pg. 49-55 Winners In Editor's Choice Awards Segment

Pg. 56 Insights

21-23 Pg. 14-15 News Buzz

14-15

14-15 Kids India 2022 Provides A Platform To Companies To Join The Growth Story Of Toy Industry

Pg. 57-58 Study Pg. 59 People Matter Pg. 60 Global News

UK The World Tourism Network and the World Travel Market London are now partners. Small and Medium size travel companies welcome this move. World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises leading travel events, online portals, and virtual platforms across four continents. The events are: WTM London, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Arabian Travel Week, WTM Latin America, WTM Africa etc. World Tourism Network is the long-overdue voice of small and medium-size travel and tourism businesses around the world. By uniting efforts, WTN brings to the forefront the needs and aspirations of small and medium-sized businesses and their Stakeholders in currently 128 countries.

North America

Africa

Italian Exhibition Group and Deutsche Messe (Hannover) have 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.

Hyve Group plc, international organiser of exhibitions and conferences opens office in Johannesburg.The Group, listed on the London Stock Exchange, organises over 50 trade exhibitions and conferences in 11 countries and more than 20 tech-enabled meeting programmes each year. It employs over 650 people in 12 offices worldwide. In South Africa, Hyve operates three world-class, leading industry events: Investing in African Mining Indaba, Africa Oil Week, and the newly launched Green Energy Africa Summit.

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Australia

Russia

A wave of new cruise line exhibitors will drop anchor at this year’s Cruise360 Australasia Trade Show, joining a full fleet of well-known brands and global destinations at the cruise industry’s biggest event of the year, staged for the first time since 2019. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) will welcome 44 major exhibitors taking place at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on 25 August as part of the 2022 Cruise360 Australasia conference.

Russia and Ukraine will sign a deal to reopen Ukraine's Black Sea ports to grain exports, Turkey said, a hopeful sign that an international food crisis caused by Russia's invasion could be eased. The blockade by Russia's Black Sea fleet has reduced supplies to markets around the world and sent grain prices soaring since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into neighbouring Ukraine on February 24.

Dubai

China

Dubai is all set to develop the metaverse and blockchain sector and GroveToken is set to build its metaverse first under the Dubai Metaverse Strategy.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, announced the launch of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy. Dubai is home to over 1,000 companies operating in the metaverse and blockchain sector, which contributes $500 million to our national economy. The tweet further said that the objective of the metaverse strategy was to support 40,000 virtual jobs and add $4 billion to Dubai’s economy in five years.

Mortgage defaults put China's political and economic stability under threat. A large number of depositors gathered in front of the Zhengzhou branch of the People’s Bank of China in the provincial capital of Henan, demanding their frozen life savings held in rural banks. A day later, tens of thousands of homeowners threatened to stop paying mortgages on scores of unfinished housing projects they had purchased. All of this happened in a week where the officials reported lacklustre second-quarter economic performance. China’s economy is facing a dangerous cocktail of stalling growth, high unemployment, spreading mortgage payment strikes and continued Covid shutdowns that threaten to explode with serious social and political consequences.

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Industry In Pictures From

Trade Promo on Council of India's pharma business delega on to Russia, which met with Dr. Konstan n Efimov, M.D., Ph.D. Oncology, M.B.A. , Director, Regpharma on 19th July 2022 at Moscow and understood the current Cer fica ons and Product Registra on related procedures in Russia. #TPCI

PLASTINDIA par cipa on at 17th CII EXIM BANK Conclave India – Africa (Growth Partnership) on 19th - 20th July 2022 at New Delhi. #PLASTINDIA Founda on

India Trend Fair scheduled from July 20-22, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan was inaugurated on July 20 by Mr Mayank Joshi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Tokyo. More than 130 plus Indian Companies are par cipa ng in India Trend Fair. # FEDERATION OF INDIAN EXPORT ORGANISATIONS

This past weekend, the Miami Beach Conven on Center partnered with Miami Takeover 2022 for their Annual Miami Takeover Community Service Beach Sweep. The team helped clean up a por on of South Beach in the 16th Street area (star ng behind the Royal Palm Hotel). #MBCC #BeachSweep

We are excited to welcome the inaugural Art SG Fair to Singapore at our Sands Expo and Conven on Centre next year, 12-15 January 2023. Look forward to the par cipa on of some of the world's most pres gious art galleries, including New York's Gagosian, Lehmann Maupin, and Pace Gallery; Paris' Perro n; and London's White Cube.

The BIGGEST Innova on fes val for Defence "IDEX-SPRINT launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi 75 new technologies/products for Indian Navy by Aug 15, 2023.

The PCMA team enjoyed the week in Toronto at the 2022 Des na ons Interna onal Annual Conven on. Awesome job by Des na ons Interna onal and Des na on Toronto! #PCMA

“East Tech 2022” is an ini a ve by the #Eastern #Army #Command in associa on with SIDM and CII to iden fy cu ng-edge technologies needed for solving opera onal challenges in the Eastern Theatre and the Indian Army as a whole. #Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers

Des na ons Interna onal #ac22toronto has registered 1,330 a endees, up from 850 last year.

What a treat to see so many friends at the opening recep on at Steam Whistle Brewing and a er dark at Hockey Hall of Fame! #

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

The World Of Social Media

1st EUROBIKE Show in Frankfurt, 18th edi on and in its 30th year we took it to the next level. A big thank you to my whole team and the colleagues from Messe Frankfurt GmbH and Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH. #eurobike2023

Booked by Visit Anaheim and held at the Anaheim Conven on Center earlier this year from June 3-5, NAMM "pivoted back to face-to-face by welcoming a smaller but serious audience of 46,627 a endees from more than 111 countries and territories and more than 1,000 exhibitors represen ng 3,500 brands."

It's Day 1 of the ASI Show at McCormick Place!

The ASI Show® Chicago is centrally located in the U.S. and takes place midyear, allowing you to infuse excitement into your product offerings and accelerate sales leading up to the busy back-to-school and holiday seasons.

Messe Frankfurt India Together with MEX Exhibi ons Pvt. Ltd. we are delighted to announce an associa on with FABEXA, Ahmedabad’s nodal tex le trade body Maska Cloth Market Mahajan for the Delhi edi on of Gartex Texprocess IndiaGarments & Tex le Exhibi on.

The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) is pleased to announce the official #inaugura on of IFCCI's newly revamped office and business centre in Delhi which was held last evening. #(IFCCI)

#NITIAayog released the India Innova on Index 2021 in the presence of VC Suman K. Bery, CEO Parameswaran Iyer, Member Dr VK Saraswat and Senior Adviser Neeraj Sinha. #NITI Aayog

FICCI at Farnborough Interna onal Exhibi on in UK to represent and promote the next series of 'Wings India 2024' along with officials of Government of Telang ana. #FIA2022 #AGF2022 #Airshow

Team Independent Hotel Show London are spending the a ernoon at Bou que Hotelier’s Great General Manager debate. First session up is looking at sustainability, and Sue Williams MI FIH kicks off the discussion by poin ng out the need for buy-in from staff, saying: “Sustainability starts with culture. You need the whole team with you and behind you.”

Throughout this week visitors to #FIA2022 have been exploring everything the Sta c Display has to offer. With a with range of aircra across the site, visitors have been able to get up close with the aircra , speak to pilots and engineers, and even go on board a few!

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Quick Bytes

July 2022

Informa Markets Announces Patrick Martell to Become CEO in 2023, Charlie McCurdy to Step Into Informa Group Strategic Advisory Role Informa Markets has confirmed that CEO Charlie McCurdy, who joined Informa in 2015, will move into a new role as strategic advisor to Informa Group in 2023. Effective 1 January 2023, Patrick Martell, current CEO of Informa Intelligence and COO of Informa Group, will assume the role of Informa Markets’ CEO, while continuing in his role as Group COO. Charlie McCurdy is a renowned leader in the exhibitions industry, having spent 35 years leading B2B events and media businesses, including the last seven as CEO of Informa Markets, the world’s leading business-to-business exhibitions and market access business. He has overseen Informa Markets through the company’s acquisition of Penton Information Services, the YPI boat show business, and the landmark UBM acquisition. He also led Informa Markets through the pandemic, helping to identify new digital solutions and emerging data opportunities, while building the exhibitions business back to strength throughout 2021 and into 2022.

IISE 2022 Showcase Modern Equipments

GSMA Announces The Extension Of The World’s Leading Mobile Technologies Congress In Barcelona GSMA, the organiser of Mobile World Congress MWC, has announced the extension of MWC Barcelona in the Catalan capital through 2030. The chairman of the board of directors of Fira de Barcelona, Pau Relat, thanked "the GSMA for its trust in the city, in Fira de Barcelona and in a joint project in which cooperation between all the institutions involved." Since its arrival in Barcelona in 2006 under the name 3GSM World Congress, the leading international event in the field of technology and communications has grown steadily and turned the Catalan capital into a global technology hub. GSMA studies estimate the economic impact of MWC Barcelona in the city over the last 17 years at more than 5.3 billion euros and over 140,000 jobs created.

In addition, the establishment of the Mobile World Capital Barcelona in 2011 has enhanced the event’s legacy in the city, extending it throughout the year and positioning Barcelona as one of Europe’s leading technology hubs.

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IISE 2022 (September 8-10), at Pragati Maidan focuses on advancements in the fields of modern equipment and systems of surveillance; explosive detection and disposal; fire fighting; access control; radio communications; training equipment; home and automotive security sectors. Besides the past practice, to make the event more meaningful and to further its outreach, the expo is also targeting to attract visitors from various important institutions like the bank sector, Railways, Highways, medical centres especially private hospitals, RWAs, PSUs, Multi-national companies, Building associations, Metros etc. in which security is becoming a subject of prime importance day by day. ITPO has also extended invitations to the Home Ministers, Secretaries and senior representatives from the State governments and law enforcement agencies to visit the fair. Apart from a large number of security professionals, the fair will be visited by senior representatives from Paramilitary Forces, State Police Forces, Security agencies, Embassies, MNCs, Banks, PSUs and Residents Welfare Associations. Also, during the currency of the fair, many seminars will be conducted at the same venue to address security concerns across the country. Elite speakers will be joining the event.

Hyve To Sell Ukrainian Business In Management Buy-out British exhibitions group Hyve is selling its Ukrainian unit to a group led by Anatoly Sushon, the Ukrainian business' managing director, as events in the country continue to be on hold following Russia's invasion. The decision comes over three months after Hyve said it would sell its Russian business, citing warnings from customers that they would boycott its Western events if it continued to operate in the country. "Both parties believe that by transitioning ownership to the experienced and committed local management team, the business will have the agility to recover for the future," Hyve's Chief Executive Officer Mark Shashoua said. Hyve said it would receive up to 3 million pounds ($3.59 million) from the sale, which will be paid annually until September 2027 based on the Ukrainian operations' profitability.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

News Buzz

July 2022

Kids India 2022 Provides A Platform To Companies To Join The Growth Story Of

Toy Industry n the year 2020, global toy industry stood at around USD 95 billion, of which India's share was a little over 1%. This is a significantly small number for a country which is the second most populated in the world and has over 300 million children in the age group 0-14 years.

However, this small size also means there is a tremendous opportunity to grow this sector, on the back of country's strong economic growth, a large domestic market, rising disposable income, low domestic per capita spend on toys and new channels for sales such as e-commerce.

I

story- Unboxing fun and beyond' by KPMG-FICCI projects a two-fold growth opportunity for the Indian toy market by 2025. While providing significant insights into the Indian toy industry and its growth potential, it highlights that India not only has a high export potential in toys such as dolls made of plastic and wood, the country could also become a major hub for electronic toy exports such as STEM toys, video game consoles, etc. India could target a 2 per cent share of global exports by 2025 by focusing on high value toy exports to USA, EU and Middle East, India could earn export revenues in the range of USD0.9 Mn – USD4.4 Bn.

A recent report 'State of play: India's toy Recently domestic toy industry has witnessed renewed focus and a flurry of activities. Toys have been identified as one of the key sectors under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and various initiatives have been taken both by the Central and State Governments towards

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building a world class toy ecosystem in India and fast track the growth of this sector.

A National Action Plan focused on using toys as a pedagogical tool, strengthening domestic manufacturing & exports, monitoring quality, introducing new designs and innovations, setting up indigenous toy clusters, promoting toy tourism, skills development etc. has been put together in consultation with several central ministries and departments. Multiple states across the country have announced cluster development programs to support toy manufacturing.

Furthering the government's initiative Mr. Vivek Jhangiani Past President of The All India Toy Manufacturers Vivek Jhangiani Association (TAITMA) states that TAITMA as an industry association has always worked for the development of the industry.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

News Buzz

He feels that exhibitions and events like Kids India acts as an important facilitators and catalysts for the growth of the economy. Kids India provides a unique platform to toy companies to promote their latest innovations and gain insights into prevalent and future technological trends.

TAITMA as supporting association strongly feels that Kids India is a key platform for their member toy

July 2022

companies to showcase their latest innovation to the local and global businesses. Kids India is organized jointly by Spielwarenmesse India Pvt. Ltd., Indo-German Chamber of Commerce – with the support of the leading industry associations, the Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) and The All-India Toy Manufacturers' Association (TAITMA).

This year Kids India will take place from 15 - 17 September 2022 at the JIO World Convention Center in Mumbai.

Once again toy retailers and buyers will be able to meet toy manufacturers and make successful business transaction, formulate joint ventures, deliberate on new ideas and new technologies. The show would have experts speaking at the conference and sharing their insights and success mantra.

We would like to encourage the industry

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to take benefit of this unique platform and join us at the show.

Mr. Vivek Jhangiani, further commending the recent initiatives taken by the government firmly believes that “For a child to develop, it is important that play is integral to his/her life. The toy industry has a critical role in bringing play to every child of every strata in India, by delivering quality toys at affordable price points.” Kids India 2022 would provide an excellent opportunity for the industry to bring forth the importance of toys once again in a child's development. Look forward to meeting and greeting industry peers at Kids India 2022.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Cover Interview

July 2022

One piece of advice that I would like to give is that if you had successfully negotiated the difficult times with a lot of patience, positivity & courage, now is the time to reap the benefit & to keep working hard as things seem to be brightening up.

Rakesh Kumar Director General - EPCH & Chairman - IEML

Cover Interview

July 2022

IEML Is Happy To Get The SEBI Approval And We Have Taken A Pioneering Step In The MICE Industry To Go For An IPO In Conversation With Rakesh Kumar, Director General, Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts & Chairman, India Exposition Mart Limited

ES. Congratulations for getting the SEBI approval for IPO of India Exposition Mart. Can you elaborate on how this development stands for the landscape of Indian exhibition and convention industry?

world which is where the exhibition industry takes over.

Rakesh Kumar. IEML is happy to get the SEBI approval and we have taken a pioneering step in the MICE industry to go for an IPO. IEML is one of the First PPPs professionally managed and has also been profitable and this fact has been recognized by all concerned in the industry. I see this IPO as a precursor of things to come in the industry. Large exhibition spaces are still in the infancy in India except for metros and I see that when public and institutional money gets into this space, the sector should significantly benefit as a whole. I am looking forward to the success of the IPO and hope it will catalyse the industry growth as well.

Rakesh Kumar. One Aspect that has got mainstreamed is the higher thrust towards health and safety. IEML has always been proactive on this account but now we see increased thrust from organizers.The perception of safety in large public spaces has to be enhanced by positive communication which we have been doing. Both formats – large exhibitions and small focused events are evolving well and this purports better for the industry.

ES. How do you see the current situation of Indian exhibition industry unfolding now, given that the physical exhibitions have resumed?

Rakesh Kumar. There is every reason to feel positive about the Indian exhibition industry at the moment – not just because Covid played a spoiler for 2 years, but because the Fundamental drivers of Demand are very positive. Fair organizers are one of the big drivers of our industry and I am witnessing a flurry of activity and in fact innovation in the manner Fair Organizers are creating exhibitions, events and conferences. The Make in India Atmanirbhar push driven by our Honourable Prime Minister is one the big drivers for the exhibition industry as when indigenous manufacturing happens, there will be the need to show case all this to the

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ES. What are some of the insights and learnings from the exhibitions which have resumed post Covid?

ES. How do you see the role of India in the landscape of global exhibition industry and what can India offer to the world in new normal?

Rakesh Kumar. India as a country has gained significantly in its place in the world post definitive measures taken by the current Government. With geo political shifts India stands to gain more from a macro context and the PLI scheme has actually catalyzed industry towards higher production – over the next few years I see more an more of global sourcing shifting to India in diverse sectors and as I said previously, there will be a need to showcase the new India capabilities to the world which is where the exhibition industry plays a big role.

ES. You played an important role in guiding the Indian Exhibition industry during the pandemic. Can you recount some incidents where you had to play an active role in

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Cover Interview

July 2022 major contributions made to promoting the Indian handicraft sector on a global level?

Rakesh Kumar. EPCH has been serving its members since 1986 and over the last 30 years has been able to provide them with marketing platforms both in India and overseas, design and product development solutions through common facility centres in major craft clusters, market intelligence through resource centres, testing facilities through product-specific testing labs, necessary compliance certification through indigenous schemes like Vriksh, capacity building through From L to R - Mr Rakesh Kumar Director General-EPCH, H.E. Mr. Rajiv K. Centre for Handicraft Exports Management Studies Chander, Ambassador, PMI, Geneva, Mr. Vivek Menon, Head, Wildlife (CHEMS), skill development eco system by setting up Trust of India and Mr. Siddhanta Das, Director General of Forests, MoEFCC. institutions like Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill advisory and guiding the industry's way ahead?

Council (HCSSC) and many more such initiatives have been taken over the years. The interventions undertaken over Rakesh Kumar. I would not like this interview to be about me the years have resulted in the growth of exports from mere and I wish to remain humble – yes I agree that in the context Rs.387 crores in 1986-87 to Rs. 33,250 crores in 2021-22. of the overall despondency and uncertainty in the market, a role was thrust upon me and I have tried my level best to play Major contributions made for the promotion of Indian that role to the best of my ability. handicrafts sector: The first role was to get induce positivity, hope and a sense of direction to the community. Within 2 weeks of Covid restrictions coming, webinars and conferences were held one after the other from Training people to use new software, to getting trainers and faculty and getting constant assessment of the mood of the fellow organisers, I was able to contribute towards steering exhibitors out of the sense of despondency and give them directions to achieve to enhancing competitiveness during the difficult period. The strategy worked wonders and exhibitors of SME sector turned their attention towards Product Development, Marketing Strategies, design development, database marketing, Strategy formulation, handling volatility and uncertainty, improving manufacturing competitiveness and similar strategic initiatives that the community is benefitting from today – 2 years after the sudden imposition of Covid restrictions. We also must appreciate the role of the Central and state Governments to whom we made multiple representations.

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

World renowned IHGF Delhi Fair (Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair) Sector specific shows on Fashion Jewellery, Toys & Textiles Helped in setting up of state of the art exhibition complex i.e India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida Resource centre at Moradabad (U.P.) Common facility centres at Jodhpur (Raj) & Saharanpur (U.P.) Trade facilitation centre at Jodhpur & Handicrafts Productivity Centre at Jaipur (Rajasthan) India Lace Trade Centre at Narsapur Product specific shows like Home Expo India, Indian Fashion & Jewelry Accessories Show

In the absence of physical activities, online marketing platforms were developed. Great enthusiasm was shown by young exporters engaged in the handicraft sector and other sectors towards online solutions like virtual fairs which provided a much-needed marketing platform when all physical activities were on hold. This is helping today in Hybrid format while physical exhibitions are must.

ES. Please share with us how EPCH has served its members in India, including a description of some of the

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Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, along with Shri R. K. Passi, outgoing Chairman and Dr. Rakesh Kumar DG - EPCH and Shri R. K. Verma ED EPCH, met Hon'ble Union Minister of Textiles & Women and Child Development

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Cover Interview

July 2022

Vriksh – Indian timber legality and verification standards Handicrafts and carpet sector skill council (HCSSC) Centre for Handicraft Exports Management Studies (CHEMS) Ÿ Wooden Testing Labs at Jaipur Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

ES. The pandemic and subsequent lockdown have had a devastating impact on the handicrafts sector however, according to the Ministry of Textiles, the handicraft industry has shown a steady growth rate of 20 percent every year.

What, in your opinion, are the factors contributing to the growth of the handicraft industry at this time, and what are the statistics?

Rakesh Kumar. The major factor contributing to the growth of handicraft sector is the engagement and handholding by EPCH of entire handicraft exporting fraternity including youth who was already very receptive to the technological advances available in the business environment. The lack of physical activity prompted EPCH to initiate online marketing activities and the same was lapped up by one and all to engage with the buyers across the globe. The enthusiasm shown by the young exporters engaged in the handicraft sector during the last two years towards online solutions through our virtual fairs was exceptional. Till a few years back, India lacked a consolidated platform to showcase the Indian handicraft to the global audience. This scenario is fast changing. E-Commerce platforms have emerged that lend the much-needed support to Indian artisans in finding visibility in domestic and global markets.

meets, followed by IHGF Textiles Virtual Fair and two editions of EPCH's flagship event-IHGF Delhi Fair, thus becoming the first Council in the country to organize a virtual fair in the month of June, 2020 itself. The Council organized 7 virtual fairs and 7 BSMs and was also the implementation organization for the Govt. of India's first India Toy Fair Virtual which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

Thus, the initiatives undertaken during the pandemic resulted in exports reaching Rs. 33253 Crores (US $ 4459.76 Million) registering a growth of 29.49% ES. In terms of performance, what are your expectations for your upcoming shows in India? How massive was the IHGF 2022, Gr. Noida? Could you share some of the major highlights of the show's success?

Rakesh Kumar. 53rd edition of IHGF fair held from 30th March – 3rd April 2022 was a success. With a wide-ranging collection from around 2600 exhibitors in 14 vibrant display segments, IHGF Delhi Fair brought together an entire spectrum in home fashion & utility, collectibles, gifting, fashion adornments, etc. 14 halls and 900 Permanent Showrooms formed the sourcing zone, inclusive of exhibitors from across regions and craft hubs of India; theme areas and collective displays with artisans & entrepreneurs from craft clusters of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern Region and Rajasthan.

Major highlights of the show:

During the last two years of the pandemic, the Council has undertaken multifarious activities relating to the development and promotion of handicrafts from the country in addition to enabling exporting community to perform better in the world market. Indian Fashion Jewellery& Accessories Show IFJAS, thus started the journey of EPCH's virtual B2B

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Thematic display and collective displays with artisans & entrepreneurs from craft clusters of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern Region and Rajasthan. Ÿ Fashion show and knowledge seminars for participants. Ÿ Live craft demonstration from artisans. Ÿ

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Cover Interview

July 2022

The show attracted around 5000 overseas buyers, buying representatives and domestic volume buyers thus generating business enquires worth Rs. 3650 crores. 54th edition of IHGF will be held from 14th – 18th October 2022, till now have received a good response from member exporters and overseas buyers. Exporters have started developing new designs that will be showcased in the exhibition. Overseas buyers have also started planning their international travel as per the fair date and we have also started getting good number of confirmations to attend the fair.

ES. What is your perspective on the role of sustainability in our industry? What practices can be adopted by the industry at large to promote the cause of sustainability?

Rakesh Kumar. The world is looking at sustainability in its production processes, it is high time that the exhibition industry also adopts sustainability as its mantra and encourage usage of sustainable raw material in their exhibition venues and also sustainable product displays by exhibitors. I am a true believer that natural resources are limited and to be used sensibly.

Organizing a sustainable event represents a responsible act in terms of the environment and individuals. Exhibition Venues are finding that initiating sustainable practices is as good for the bottom line as it is for the planet. One way in which the events industry is beginning to take responsibility is by adhering to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There are 17 goals in total, which consider issues ranging from clean energy to gender equality and education to responsible consumption.

Just to give you an example, using recyclable or reusable signage and name tags for conference groups, replacing bottled water with refillable bottles or containers that are refilled on-site, implementing a “No Idle Policy” that requires all vehicle operators, delivery trucks, shuttles, etc. to turn off their engines prior to leaving their vehicles and many more such initiatives could help us have a sustainable event environment.

ES. Can you identify a trend or development that is enveloping this industry around the world that you believe is important?

Rakesh Kumar. I believe responsible consumption will

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become a more major industry trend rather than ostentatious consumption and display. The world including India is moving towards sustainability, climate change, carbon neutral etc in manners we could not have imagined a decade back.

The way in which we can convince our end users that we are assisting in this global cause will determine the industry trajectory in my opinion ES. In the next twenty four months, how is India Exposition Mart positioned to become a front runner in the space of purpose built MICE venues in the world?

Rakesh Kumar. IEML has already received many awards as the best MICE venue, and we intend to enhance that positioning by upgrading our facilities. We used the Covid period to significantly invest in infrastructure development at IEML and the look and feel of future shows will be very contemporary and global. We are also offering a package of services to add more value to our valued clients- the value bindles being constructred by us in IEML are unparalleled and I believe that will bind us with our clients even more.

ES. What are some of the major shows lined up at IEML in the remaining part of 2022?

Rakesh Kumar. There are 45 events lined up for the Financial Year 2022-23.

Some of the those are mega events such as IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn, HGH India, Clean India Show, India International Hospitality Expo 2022, The Aqua Culture Expo 2022, Renewable Energy India Expo 2022, ITME India, Auto Expo-the Motor Show, Elecrama etc.

ES. What would you say to the industry if you had one message and one piece of advice to give?

Rakesh Kumar. One piece of advice that I would like to give to the exporters is that you had successfully negotiated the difficult times with a lot of patience, positivity, hardwork and courage, now is the time to reap the benefit and keep working hard as things seems to be brightening up and the future holds good business for everyone as we are getting back to the normal. I believe, the exhibition industry plays a pivotal role in country’s economy and promotion of the brand INDIA message.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Interview

July 2022

EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATION WOLFRAM N. DIENER President & CEO, Messe Düsseldorf 3,000 exhibitors from 61 nations are ‘‘Around expected at K 2022 from October 19 to 26, and the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center is completely full. K is also a successful example of how major

‘‘

ecological and social issues are increasingly becoming the focus of trade shows.

ES. Could you provide the readers about your early life and career? What have been your most memorable experiences at Messe Düsseldorf thus far?

Wolfram N. Diener. Events and internationality have been a central theme of my professional life from the very beginning.

I was born and raised in the southern German state of BadenWürttemberg – in a region that looks like a picture book to strangers: the Black Forest, villages, half-timbered houses, cuckoo clocks ... the big wide world attracted me from the start – as well as the world of events. My first professional station in 1991 was the Baden-Württemberg horticultural show as Division Head for Catering and Events. Just one year later, I took my first geographical step: from the south to the north of Germany. From then on, I worked for Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH as Project Director Foreign Trade Fairs.

In 1997, I finally went to Asia, where I stayed until 2018.

After four years as Managing Director for Asian Operations at Messe Frankfurt in Hong Kong, I was appointed Managing Director of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in 2001. Here I had my first contact with Messe Düsseldorf, which is still a shareholder of the SNIEC. In 2005, I moved to the Venetian Macau and Marina Bay Sands Singapore hotels for six years as Vice President, where I was responsible for the congress and exhibition business as well as

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hotel logistics. From 2011 to 2018, as a Member of the Management Board of UBM Asia – now Informa Markets – I was responsible for trade fairs in China as well as jewellery and gemstone fairs worldwide incl. print and digital media.

In 2018 I went back to Germany, where I started as Managing Director Operative Trade Fair Business at Messe Düsseldorf, one of the most successful trade fair companies with its own site worldwide. I was impressed from the start by the 613,000 sqm Düsseldorf Exhibition Center with 18 halls that are up to 25,000 sqm in size and up to 26 meters high. The total exhibition area of 306,000 sqm is home to 40 trade shows, including 20 world-leading events. The first trade fair I was able to experience here was CARAVAN SALON, the world's largest trade fair for mobile travel, in the summer of 2018. I remember an internal event at our open-air site and how warmly my wife and I were received by the new colleagues.

Düsseldorf is a very green, livable city and known for its joie de vivre. Carnival, for example, is an important celebration.

The positive nature of the people here suits us very well. and a great challenge. All the more so because the pandemic was already in full swing at the time. Now that the great team and I have maneuvered Messe Düsseldorf safely through the pandemic, I am delighted that together we are leading Messe Düsseldorf into the future and, in particular, continuing to drive forward the internationalization and digital transformation of the company.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Interview

July 2022

Wolfram Diener & Werner Dornscheidt ES. You have elaborate & diverse experience in the exhibition industry. How have you seen the industry evolving over these years from the time when you started?

Wolfram N. Diener. In my many years of trade show experience, especially in Asia, I have been able to follow two trends up close: The shift of world trade to Asia and, as a consequence, the emergence of many regionally oriented trade fairs in growth markets – in addition to the already established, world leading trade fairs, e.g. here in Düsseldorf.

In 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund, four Asian nations – China, India, Japan and Indonesia – will make up the five countries with the largest GDPs alongside the USA. Bil-lions of euros invested in infrastructure and the construction and expansion of trade fair centers have made India and China Asia's most important trade fair hubs, a position they undisputedly hold.

Especially in cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai in India as well as Beijing and Shanghai in China, the professionalism of trade fair organizers is high, mainly because of the numerous in-ternational cooperations. Since 2000 Messe Düsseldorf has been represented with a subsidiary in India, which recently opened a new office in Gurugram. In China we are already represented since 1999, now with two subsidiaries and a stake in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). China now represents our largest foreign market. Chinese organizers are also increasingly expanding abroad. For example, they are organizing trade fairs in countries that are to be linked via the new Silk Road. The numerous dynamic growth markets in Asia, but also in South Amer-ica, the Middle East and Africa, with their high investment requirements, are leading to the emergence of regional trade fairs worldwide. This is also a great opportunity for us. This is also an opportunity for us. With our international commitment, we are strengthening our leading

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Düsseldorf world trade shows in particular, whose international attendance figures are rising continuously: with 73% international exhibiting companies attending last year the events already reached the pre-Covid levels posted in 2019.

At 33% the internationality of visitors again approached the pre-pandemic level of 37%.

ES. Messe Düsseldorf is one of the world's leading trade fair organisers, having been in op-eration for over 70 years. How do you see Messe Düsseldorf's journey unfolding over the years and the timeline of major developments?

Wolfram N. Diener. Messe Düsseldorf's journey so far results in the fact that we can now offer our customers two major benefits: central meeting points in Düsseldorf that map the respective global market as well as local platforms for various regions of the world and markets. In this way we remain a relevant partner for our customers while safeguarding the leading position of Düsseldorf’s No.1 trade fairs at the same time.

ES. Messe Düsseldorf has a global network of subsidiary companies. In terms of perfor-mance, how do you look at the growth prospects of business in the different regions where you operate?

Wolfram N. Diener. We are continuing to drive this expansion forward and will in future be concentrating on such dynamic growth markets as Africa, Latin America and Asia.

All of these markets have a high demand for investment in industry and infrastructure. Our events abroad create marketplaces for local industries, promote the development of national economies and open up new, emerg-ing markets for multi-national companies.

ES. What are the plans and forecasts for the revival of business in the remaining year?

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Interview

July 2022 growing Chinese rehabilitation and nursing care market.

ES. How have you adapted to the new reality of the meetings industry, which is much more digital and hybrid?

We and especially our trainees, who were responsible for the organization in the "old tradition", say Thank You to everyone who took part in our blood donation day 2019

Wolfram N. Diener. We are experiencing a slight recovery in the exhibition business. After 7 domestic events and 16 international events in 2020, last year we already recorded 8 domestic events and 21 inter-national events. These numbers will increase again in 2022. After a break of just under six months life will return to Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre – with a tightly packed trade fair agenda. The Düsseldorf trade fair year kicks off in April with 14 trade fairs as well as numerous partner and guest events staged there through to late 2022.

Until the end of June alone, we have a marathon ahead of us with six trade fairs and six partner and guest events. The highlights in this period are our six leading international trade fairs: BEAUTY, TOP HAIR, ProWein, EuroCIS, wire and Tube.

For our international events, we expect that number to rise to 53, this year. After three new events in 2021 – ProWine São Paulo, ProWine Mumbai and FoodAfrica Cairo – we are looking forward to four new trade shows in 2022: REHACARE SHANGHAI, MEDICAL FAIR BRASIL, COLOMBIAPLAST and CorruTec Asia.

ES. Please share with us, what is your outlook for the Asian market and India in particular?

Wolfram N. Diener. Messe Düsseldorf India will re-start the business after a break due to the Pandemic of almost 2 years at the end of May with 2 events of Messe Düsseldorf’s MedicAlliance, Medical Fair India and Famdent Mumbai in the brand new JIO World Centre. All in all our subsidary is planning 8 events in India and is bringing major Indian participations to wire & Tube, K and MEDICA in Düsseldorf in 2022. In 2022 eleven trade fairs by Messe Düsseldorf will be held in China – these also include one new event, namely REHACARE SHANGHAI. Expecting 100 companies and to the tune of 8,000 trade visitors, it will serve as a local satellite of Düsseldorf’s REHACARE INTERNA-TIONAL for the

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Wolfram N. Diener. All our future events will be digitally extended. This means that people will also be able to participate without physically being there – for example, through livestreams, exhibitor profiles, matchmaking and videos. Our exhibitors thus reach more potential customers. Together, they all form a community that can be active 365 days a year.

This combination of a physical trade show and digital elements creates the greatest benefit for our customers and consolidates the leading position of Düsseldorf's leading world trade shows as the central communication and information platform for their respective industries – during the running times of the presence trade shows and throughout the year.

ES. K celebrated its 70th anniversary this year! How do you see the success journey of K unfolding since 1952?

Wolfram N. Diener. In its 70-year success story, K has developed into the most important information and business platform for the global plastics and rubber industry. Its position as the leading trade show for the entire industry, where theme leadership and innovation go hand in hand to pave the way for visions for the future, is undisputed. On no other platform is the internationality as high as in Düsseldorf.

Around 3,000 exhibitors from 61 nations are expected at K 2022 from October 19 to 26, and the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center is completely full. K is also a successful example of how major ecological and social issues are increasingly becoming the focus of trade shows. With our world-leading trade fairs, we offer industries the plat-forms on which they can present their solutions to the current challenges of our time and dis-cuss them with experts. At K, for example, the focus will once again be on the circular economy.

ES. The industry has gone through a lot since the crisis began. What message would you like to share at large?

Wolfram N. Diener. After a long pandemic period, the spotlight is now on new beginnings. The pandemic years have flagged up both the advantages and the limits of digital communication to us. The busi-ness community was shown once again how valuable personal networking, chance encounters and physical brand and product experiences are.

And this time has shown us how valuable and important our physical trade shows are. We now again create presentation and networking plat-forms in the proven form to enable successful business.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Industry Sends Their Messages For Exhibition Excellence Awards

Congratulations for the great event. Well done and kudos to your team for inspiring the industry in these times.

Sonia Prashar, Managing Director, NürnbergMesse India

Heartiest Congratulations to you and your colleagues for one of the finest Awards function yet. The industry owes you a huge gratitude for bringing everyone under one roof after such difficult times.

More important was seeing everyone full of life , satisfied, interacting , networking and smiling.

Always remain the simple servant of the industry.

Ravinder Sethi, CMD, R.E.Rogers India Pvt. Ltd.

Irrespective of Industry status, Exhibition Industry in India is a key growth driver contributing the growth of varied industries. Recognizing a talent will not only motivate the performers but will also boost the next generation to level up their standards and compete with global industry. A great move by Exhibition Showcase and congratulations to the entire think tank behind this initiative.

Milind Dixit, Managing Director, Koelnmesse Ya Tradefair Pvt. Ltd.

I think that the Exhibition Excellence Awards is a wonderful initiative taken by Mr. Raghav Khosla and his team from Exhibition Showcase and their other magazines. EEA is a great unifier, bringing together all the stake holders of the different aspects of the exhibition industry like the organizers of exhibitions, vendors, venues, service providers, MICE Hotels, Convention Centres, etc. This initiative has the support of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, UFI - The global association of exhibition industry, National Small Industries Corporation, IEIA - the Voice of the Indian Exhibition Industry, IAEE, AFECA, IESA, ICPB, SITE India, PATA India, TAAI, NIMA, ADTOI, IATTE for the 6th edition of Exhibition Excellence Awards 2022. This gives a huge exposure and awareness for the good work done by all the stake holders of the exhibition industry and gives them tremendous encouragement and zeal to do better in their field of excellence. This brings immense recognition of the contribution of various organizations of the exhibition industry of India on the global stage.

Prakash Shah, Chairman, G.S. Marketing Associates

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Every industry needs awards and recognition to highlight the hard work done by its professionals.

The exhibition Excellence Awards has played a pivotal role in being a facilitator for the event industry in India. Having these awards also gives us significance as an industry. The Exhibition Excellence Awards have played a role over the years in identifying and acknowledging different aspects of the ecosystem and their contribution to making this industry a success. We look forward to these awards becoming bigger and serving as an encouragement to the younger generation that joins our industry to become event professionals. We hope that EEA goes beyond an award in India and becomes an international standard creator in the coming years.

Atul K. Todi, Co – Founder at FLOOR Exhibition Showcase stands for Consistency and professionalism. The passion and the drive of the team is indeed commendable and with the able guidance of Raghav ji, Exhibition Excellence Awards has indeed turned iconic and is today a true representation of the Exhibition Industry.

Adapting to trends, leveraging and aiding in recognizing the contributors of the Expo Industry is a praise worthy initiative. Wishing Exhibition Excellence Awards scale greater heights in becoming the torch bearer of our industry.

Deepak Swaminathan, Founder & CEO at Media Point

The Exhibition Excellence Awards is India's only nomination-based recognition initiative for the exhibition & convention industry. They have been upheld by the Ministry of Skill Development, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of MSME, ASSOCHAM, PHDCCI, Indian Exhibition Industry, and many more prominent associations in their previous editions. After a gap of_two years, the EEA is back with a bang & have become glorious extravaganza like never before! The Exhibition Excellence Awards is for sure an incredible platform for perceiving the unrecognized yet truly great individuals of the Indian exhibition industry for their contributions.

Barun Gupta, President, Site India Chapter

Exhibition Excellence is the only Award function which has not only sustained over the years but has achieved new heights year after year.

Chander Mansharamani, Managing Director, Alpcord Network

EEA has been a motivating factor since the inception, when no one even recognized the exhibition segment, EEA was the first one to take a step forward and also represent Indian exhibition Industry on the global stage. I would call EEA an ‘umbrella' of the exhibition industry.

Pawan Shankar, MD, Fashionista

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

This is a relevant platform to showcase the good work that is being done by the exhibitions industry and we are happy to be shortlisted/win some of these awards. This recognition will go a long way in motivating our teams to keep pushing the bar of excellence.

Bhupinder Singh, CEO, Messe Muenchen India

It is a much needed award ceremony as it recognises the best people in one of the toughest business one can do. I personally congratulate the organizers to have come come up with a great Idea like this, it gives us a opportunity to know each other in this Industry & helps us for a global recognition.

Sreekanth Urs, Managing Director - GES India Inc

EEA is a great platform to recognize efforts and contributions of individuals and commemorate them with an award as it motivates them and others to do better as these awards give them a platform and greater reach which otherwise would have not been there. Really appreciate the efforts put into it to bring everyone together.

Jatinder Kapur, Managing Director – N.K. Kapur & Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Its a great initiative for recognising the contribution of Industry, it as well gives Boost to other to “RAISE THE BAR HIGHER” Dharampal Singh Malhotra, Executive Director - Namdhari Business Group

EEA is doing a wonderful work as they give recognition to the hard work and efforts of the industry at a fabulous platform and is growing in popularity with each passing year. Organisation that is practical, committed and transparent.

Rajeev Massey, Chief Operating Officer, Jaipur Jewellery Show

Nesco holds the Awards with great importance and respect. It is imperative to maintain good benchmarks for different aspects, in the industry.

Krishna S. Patel, Chairman, NESCO

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Exhibition Excellence Awards is certainly an iconic initiative of Mr. Raghav Khosla which has brought the Indian exhibition industry into the limelight on the global stage. EEA has given tremendous recognition to the Indian exhibition organizers and the service providers for their continuous achievements. Further, it has brought all the stakeholders on one platform to network, collaborate, and get inspired by each other's work. The time has come to collaborate and work with each other and build our strengths to create further global opportunities in India.

Vivek Shukla, Director & CEO Afairs Exhibitions & Media Pvt.Ltd

As the name suggests, we believe that Exhibition Excellence Awards is truly an excellent and iconic initiative from the industry, to the industry. Appreciation always works, but when it comes from your own industry, it matters a lot.

Prem Anveshi, Managing Director, Futurex Trade Fair & Events Pvt. Ltd

Exhibition Excellence Awards have become an very important event supported by leading industry associations such as IEIA. It is also an excellent forum for connecting with industry peers.

Ubaid Ahmad, Senior Director, IMTMA & Marketing Head - Bangalore International Exhibition Centre

The Exhibition Excellence Awards (EEA) have become synonymous with the Indian exhibition and convention sector. The EEA has established a pioneering reputation and has made a significant contribution to the global promotion of the Indian exhibition business.

Ravi Boratkar, Managing Director, MMACTIV Sci Tech Communications Pvt. Ltd

Exhibition Showcase has been instrumental in keeping the industry connected, informed and forward-looking throughout the pandemic, and for that the entire industry is in your debt. In a similar vein, the Exhibition Excellence Awards 2022 continue to encourage the industry to look ahead, be positive and remain focussed on our goals of creating platforms that benefit society, the country, and the world at large.

Chandrika Behl, MD, Exhibitions India Group

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Exhibition Excellence Awards is a great initiative where established brands are being recognized for their work and even new companies are being encouraged to get recognized & improve their standards. This kind of the global stage pushes local companies to go global and set their bars high.

We believe that the way Exhibition Excellence Awards are designed is very admiring as a result it purely gives genuine opportunity for being recognized at all the level who are performing well.

Sanyal Desai, CEO, Radeecal Communications

I have followed Exhibition Excellence Awards since it’s early inception and witnessed the growth of the initiative. It is a much needed initiative and is moving rapidly not only in the way of recognizing and awarding the good work and talent in the Indian MICE Industry but also is playing a key role in structuring the sector. It has truly bought the Indian MICE Industry on the global platform and has provided the much needed push in the industry stakeholders to work harder and better to ensure they are worthy of the accolades. The category formations and the selections covers the entire industry very well and has helped in bringing the entire fraternity together. ITE Group India congratulates and complements Mr. Raghav and the entire team at Exhibition Showcase for the remarkable achievement and wishes them the best for the future to continue to play their part in promotion of Indian MICE Industry all over the world.

Ashish Sharma, Director, ITE India Pvt Ltd, Noida Haat

With the Exhibition Industry Awards organised by Exhibition Showcase into its sixth edition, the event is now institutionalised and appears to have developed an international following. The current edition being held in the background of the industry emerging from the shadows of Covid, is likely to contribute in a large way in normalising the scenario and returning to business as usual.

Anil Arora, President, Print-Packaging.com (P) Ltd.

It's an excellent initiative. Industry needs recognition and contributions of the stakeholders must be acknowledged at the global level.

Balvinder Singh Sawhney, Asst. Secretary General, FICCI

I feel exhibition excellence awards is a remarkable initiative, to recognize the achievements of the exhibition industry. It is always a great moment for winners, the mix of pleasure & proud feeling when their efforts are being acknowledge at a big industry platform. My best wishes for the whole team of Exhibition Showcase.

Gagan Sahni, Director-Business Development , Hyve India

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

I really think that this is a fantastic initiative undertaken by ‘Exhibition Showcase’. These awards not only celebrate the best in the exhibitions industry but also provide an amazing networking opportunity for the fraternity to interact with one another. These awards motivate us to do better and let us look at the innovative work done by our colleagues and contemporaries. Post the pandemic it has become really important to inspire and influence the industry by celebrating the work of torchbearers and stars of the exhibition industry and exhibition excellence awards are doing just that. It is a true celebration of the spirit of the exhibition industry Aakash Dhote, Founder & CEO, Blue Apple Digimedia

Exhibition Excellence Awards is a grand initiative to recognise the efforts and contribution of the Indian exhibition industry on global stage, It not only provides recognition but also motivation to do better work in the future.

Deepak Sakpal, Director, Saibaba Ambulance

I understand that this is not just an ordinary award ceremony but a institution in itself for the promotion and glorification of our exhibition industry. My salutations!

Anil Gautam, Owner, Gautam Art

We as organisers have been executing events even at the peak of the Covid in 2020-21.

Considering the kind of efforts made by our industry to keep the wheel churning has been tremendous. As a human perspective, everyone needs appreciate for the exceptional efforts one is putting on any project. Exhibition Excellence Awards is one such platform which is not only motivating us but at the same time, it brings us to the forefront of the industry. Because of such initiatives, India is being recognised as an important MICE destination. There has been an influx of many international organisers in India in the last decade or so and there are many more eyeing the Indian market. I really wish all the best to the organisers of the Exhibition Excellence Awards.

Naveen Seth, Assistant Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce and industry

We believe in EEA, and its fantastic initiative to promote, support and appreciate industry work and culture.

Sumit Joshi Head - Marketing & Sales at JECC - Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Excerpts From The Opening Remarks - Sonia Prashar, President, IEIA Dear industry, welcome to the 2022 edition of the Exhibition Excellence Awards. It is extremely heartening to see the community converge in such good numbers and feels great to see the revival of our Industry – exhibitions are back, events are back and the Exhibition Excellence Awards are back as well. Wishing all the nominees the very best.

This is a celebration of your efforts and hardwork. These awards are also a testament to the fact that this Industry is like a phoenix - our resilience in the face of challenges and our spirit in the face of adversity always makes us bounce right back. The last few months have been very encouraging for the exhibition Industry and the exhibitor and visitor response has been phenomenal which is a very positive sign. It reinstates that the fact face to face interactions are here to stay.

From an Industry perspective we are on the right trajectory with our several initiatives around Industry Connect, Skilling as well as Information dissemination. These platforms have kept the Industry connected and have inspired us to grow and take the lead in making our forums on par with the international standards.The next few months are crucial as we reinstate our events to their former glory, as travel becomes easier and our international exhibitors and visitors also come back in full numbers. So, all in all things look positive, our mood is upbeat and we look forward to a great event, some nice interactions and fruitful times ahead for our Industry. Finally, congratulations to Exhibition Showcase for serving the industry so passionately.

Message From Adeline Vancauwelaert, COO, UFI I am very honoured to be a part and to support the Exhibition Excellence Awards. EEA acknowledge some industry leader for their exemplary contribution to the industry. The awards highlight outstanding initiatives and celebrate the exhibition industry. The pace of recovery is accelerating thanks to our industry’s flexibility, resilience, and ability to work together. People need face to face event to grow their businesses. Exhibition industry is people business, and the entire community is eager to reconnect after 2 years apart from each other.

Exhibition Industry revenues are expected to grow across all markets in 2022. However, our industry is facing some challenges. There is 3 major areas that we need to reimagine as we prepare for recovery: Reimagine business models, reimagine the delegate experience, reimagine talent & capabilities. But these challenges are providing the industry with great opportunities !

The Exhibition Excellence Awards are an initiative to recognise the unsung heroes of the Indian exhibition industry and to acknowledge their contribution. Congratulations to the nominees and winners of The Exhibition Excellence Awards.

Since years, UFI is a strong partner of Exhibition Showcase. Being the Global Association of the Exhibitions Industry, it is essential for UFI to collaborate and support Exhibition Showcase. It offers a complete media platform for Exhibitions in Asia and as a global industry reinforce our role in local markets.

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Report

July 2022

The 6th Edition Of The Exhibition Excellence Awards Brings Back Smiles On The Faces Of The Fraternity India's iconic one and only recognition initiative for the industry conclude successfully Over 400 delegates attend the event in person he much awaited gathering of the Indian Exhibition Industry was finally held in person after the gap of over two years. The event saw a strong participation with over 400 delegates coming together in person to attend the India's iconic event which is an exclusive & highly acclaimed recognition initiative for the exhibition industry.

T

This year the initiative was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government

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of India, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, National Small Industry Corporation, The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UFI - the global association of exhibition industry, IEIA - the Voice of the Indian Exhibition Industry, IESA, AFECA, IAEE, NSIC, ICPB, SITE, PATA, TAAI, NIMA, ADTOI & IATTE. Owing to its success in giving the industry a great platform to network, and most importantly a platform where

everyone could celebrate their achievements; the event received a very positive review from the fraternity. As it is, the industry is not recognized by the policy makers & their hard work must get its due recognition. Speaking about the EEA2022, Raghav Khosla, Group Editor, Exhibition Showcase said, “The event turned out to be a great platform for recognising the torchbearers of the industry because in the last two and half years, the industry had gone through very difficult times.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Report

July 2022

There were a lot of businesses affected, many of them closed, and there were a lot of employees who lost their jobs. But it was very important for us at Exhibition Showcase & thus through EEA initiative to actually recognise those torch bearers who kept alive the hope of our industry and kept serving the industry during those times. And therefore, we came up with 6th edition of Exhibition Excellence Awards at this point of time.

This was our sincere effort to recognize the efforts of the unsung heroes of the exhibition industry - the industry which is the catalyst to our economic growth and harbinger of business tourism. We are thankful to the industry associations

Sonia Prashar President, IEIA

The event was very much appreciated by all stake holders, participants and received a very good response from the fraternity as it is something that finally brought back cheers and smiles on the faces of the fraternity. There were nomination-based awards for Exhibition Organisers, Service Providers and

Rakesh Kumar Chairman, IEML

Naveen Seth Asst. Secretary General, PHDCCI

At this year's EEA, Exhibition Showcase introduced a special CEO's Forum to

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for extending their valuable support & acknowledgement to this initiative. I think that the stature of this initiative reflects from the depth & quality of government bodies & renowned industry associations who have come forward to acknowledge and support this event.”

Ravinder Sethi CMD, R.E. Rogers

Venues. In addition, there were a few individual awardees under the special Editor’s Choice Awards segment.

The event started with the inaugural official customary lamp lighting ceremony in the presence of dignitaries like Ms. Sonia Prashar, President IEIA, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML, Mr. Sunil More, President, IESA, Mr. Amaresh Tiwari, Vice Chairman, ICPB, Naveen Seth, Asst. Secretary General, PHDCCI, Mr. Ravinder Sethi, CMD, R.E. Rogers, Mr. Balvinder Singh Sawhney, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI and Mr. P Udayakumar, CMD, NSIC.

Sunil More President, IESA

Balvinder Singhi Sawhney Assistant Secretary General, FICCI

spread insights and knowledge amongst the industry stakeholders on developments surrounding the resumption of exhibitions, how industry is pacing up and what are going to be the trends in the near future. The session was moderated by Raghav Khosla, Group Editor, Exhibition Showcase, and the panellists were questioned on several important

Amaresh Tiwari Vice Chairman, ICPB

P Udayakumar CMD, NSIC

topics pertaining to the sector.

Raj Manek, Managing Director and Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings, talked about three key trends that will drive the Exhibition Industry forward: Community Building | Digitalisation | Sustainability.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Report

July 2022

Excerpts from his message:

change.

service partners and partners alike.

Community Building:

Balvinder S. Sawhney, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI shared his experience and Key takeaways from Dubai World Expo 2020 and highlighted the challenges and success mantras in the new normal.

The founder and Managing Director of Afairs Exhibitions and Media, Mr. Sanjeev Bolia, expressed his views on the "Resumption of the Exhibition Industry Globally," and highlighted how exhibitions are using technology as an enabler in the new normal.

In today’s times, being just a trade fair organiser is not enough. Ÿ We need to go one step ahead and build communities around our events that can keep the sector connected year-round. Ÿ Right from the get-go of an exhibition announcement, organisers need to be connected socially, address sector challenges and integrate technology, content and tools that are highly consumer-centric and keeps sector players engaged for business. Ÿ

Digitalisation Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ

Digital platforms changed the economics of exhibitions Tech intervention is not new to the events and exhibitions Industry but what we see now is an enhanced technology integration in everyday exhibition processes – from marketing to logistics to pre-show and onsite engagements.

Digital intervention can be a major asset if used to its potential We need to embrace technology Digitalisation has to be balanced with in-person meetings, be it within organisations or with clients, business partners and industry associates.

Digitalisation can elevate the exhibition experience for our exhibitors and visitors

Sustainability A topic that you can no longer ignore Important to adopt sustainable measures as an organiser Ÿ Promote sustainable concepts: Exhibitions are powerful platforms to sustainability within individual sectors Ÿ Learn from International counterparts and adopt what we can. Ÿ Ÿ

Through both our International and Indian fairs, we aim to highlight sustainable sector innovations as and actionable solutions for environmental

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The Singapore Tourism Board's Regional Director for India, the Middle East, and South Asia, Mr. GB Srithar, discussed how the MICE sector in Singapore is expected to make a significant comeback. The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry in Singapore is expected to recover strongly, following the city’s reopening to fully-vaccinated visitors with no quarantine and testing requirements.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is riding on that momentum by launching an enhanced incentive programme for international MICE groups, and with a strong pipeline of events in 2022 and beyond, a full recovery for the MICE industry is expected in two to three years. There are indications that industry recovery is picking up pace. Singapore hosted over 200 events attended by an estimated 49,000 delegates in 2021. In the first three months of this year (Jan – Mar 2022) alone, Singapore hosted more than 150 events attended by over 37,000 delegates. This number is set to increase, with at least 66 international events secured for the rest of 2022.

Sudeep Sarcar, CEO of India Exposition Mart concluded the discussion by highlighting the role of venues in this ecosystem. He stated that venues have to adopt in the new normal effectively serving the organisers,

The Managing Director of MM Activ Sci Tech Communications, Mr. Ravi Boratkar, shared his thoughts on the industry's current state and its foreseeable future, as well as how virtual and in-person meetings are placed together.

A number of well-known service providers from the business took part in the show as well who had displayed their services at their booths in the exhibition arena.

Special Guest at the event Stephan Murtagh, popularly known as The Exhibition Guy, from Dublin, presented a special session on 'why exhibitions are more relevant post covid’?

Finally, the Red Carpet Awards Ceremony kickstarted and this year, the EEA Awards were divided into four categories namely Exhibition Organisers - 22 categories, Service Providers - 15 categories Venues - 5 categories and Special Editor's Choice Felicitations under which there were 10 special felicitations. Truly, the EEA2022 turned out to be a great platform for the exhibition industry, appreciated by one and all.

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

WINNERS IN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS SEGMENT THE MEGA SHOW

WINNER - Convergence India 2022

Runner-Up - CPHI & P-MEC India 2021

THE LARGE SHOW

WINNER - IITF 2021

Runner-Up - IIMTF 2021

THE GRAND SHOW

Winner - 53rd IHGF Delhi Fair 2022

Runner-Up - IIJS SIGNATURE 2022

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

THE BIG SHOW

WINNER - AgroVision 2021

Runner-Up - South Jewellery Show 2022

THE CHALLENGER

WINNER - MachAuto Expo 2022

Runner-Up - Agri Asia 2021

THE REGIONAL STAR

Winner - FASHIONISTA

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Runner-Up - WEDDING ASIA Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

THE SHINING STAR

WINNER - Franchise India Holdings Ltd.

Runner-Up - Informa Markets In India

THE INTERNATIONAL STAR

WINNER - Afairs Exhibitions & Media Pvt. Ltd.

Runner-Up - Futurex Trade Fair & Events Pvt. Ltd.

EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY

Winner - Informa Markets in India

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Runner-Up - India Mobile Congress

Joint Runner-Up - electronics & computer software export promotion council

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

TOP HYBRID SHOW

WINNER - Gartex Texprocess India 2021

Runner-Up - electronica India & productronica India 2021

STAR VIRTUAL EXPO

WINNER - VIRTUAL IHGF DELHI FAIR 2020

Runner-Up - Festival Of Business 2020 (MMI)

EXCELLENCE IN ENGAGEMENT

Winner - FICCI - World Expo 2020 Dubai 38 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Runner-Up - Informa Markets in India Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

THE STAR EMPLOYER

WINNER - NürnbergMesse India

Runner-Up - Informa Markets in India

THE KNOWLEDGE HUB

WINNER - India International Hospitality Expo 2021

Runner-Up - Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021

AWARD OF MERIT - CORPORATE

Winner - Messe Muenchen India

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Runner-Up - Informa Markets in India

Joint Runner-Up - Virgo Communications And Exhibitions (P) LTD)

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

THE COMEBACK SHOW

WINNER - Jaipur Jewellery Show 2021

Runner-Up - SHILP UTSAV 2020

STAR DEBUT

WINNER - IIMTF 2021 Lucknow

Runner-Up - PharmaTech Expo & LabTech Expo 2020 - Mumbai

TOP GLOBAL DOMINANCE

Winner - IMTEX 2020 40 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Runner-Up - Air Cargo India 2020 Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH & SAFETY

WINNER - Hyve India Private Ltd.

THE INDUSTRY CATALYST

Winner - Indusfood 2022

Runner-Up - PAMEX

2020

Joint Runner-Up ANUTEC - International FoodTec India 2021

THE STAR CONFERENCE

Winner - Globoil India 2021 41 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Runner-Up - Transgender Leadership Conclave 2022 Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

WINNERS IN SERVICE PROVIDERS SEGMENT EXCELLENCE IN EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT

WINNER - Meroform India Pvt. Ltd.

Runner-Up - RMB Event Management Pvt Ltd

EXCELLENCE IN CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT R

WINNER - Namdhari Events N Promotions (P) Ltd.

Runner-Up - Paras Art Studio

LEADING STRUCTURE SUPPLIER

Winner - Expro Events & Exhibits

Runner-Up - N.K Kapur & Co. Pvt. Ltd.

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

STAR IN PRODUCTION & VISUALS

WINNER - Gautam Art

Runner-Up - Arihant Digiprint

EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN

WINNER - Pavilions and Interiors India Private Limited

Runner-Up - Sconce Global Pvt. Ltd.

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICES

Winner - Deepali Design & Exhibits 43 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Runner-Up - GS Oberoi Structures Pvt Ltd Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

THE TECH CATALYST

Winner - Blue Apple Digimedia

Runner-Up - TECOGIS

Joint Runner-Up Centibell Lighting Pvt. Ltd.

STAR INNOVATION AWARD

WINNER - Big One Entertainers Pvt. Ltd.

Runner-Up - Pinnacle Services

THE STAR PCO

Winner - Alpcord Network Events & Conferences Mgmt. Co. P. Ltd 44 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

STAR IN EMERGENCY SERVIES

WINNER - SAIBABA AMBULANCE

Runner-Up - Empathy Solutions

EXEMPLARY STALL DESIGNING

WINNER - Strides Design Studio

Runner-Up - Quantum Design

AWARD OF MERIT - CORPORATE

Winner - RMB Event Management Pvt Ltd 45 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

AWARD OF MERIT - INDIVIDUAL

WINNER - Uma Menon Rudra Communications

STAR VIRTUAL PLATFORM

WINNER - Ten Times Online Private Limited

Runner-Up - Media Point

THE DIGITAL ENABLER

Winner - Virtual MNC 46 | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Runner-Up - Interface Data And Design LLP Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

WINNERS IN VENUES SEGMENT THE GRAND VENUE

WINNER - India Exposition Mart Ltd

Runner-Up - Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre

THE TORCHBEARER

WINNER - India Trade Promotion Organisation

Runner-Up - National Small Industries Corporation

AWARD OF MERIT - CORPORATE

Winner - NESCO LIMITED

Runner-Up - CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

THE STAR HOTEL

WINNER - Crowne Plaza Greater Noida

LEADING B-CITY VENUE

WINNER - Jaipur Exhibition And Convention Centre

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

WINNERS IN EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS SEGMENT Most Influential Leaders In The Global Exhibition Industry

Award of Merit - Flag Bearer Of The Industry

Sonia Prashar NürnbergMesse India

Rakesh Kumar - Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts

Outstanding Influencers In The Exhibition Industry

Most Distinguished Achievers In The Exhibition Industry

Stephan Murtagh The Exhibition Guy

Raj Manek - Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd.

Most Distinguished Achievers In The Exhibition Industry

Outstanding Influencers In The Exhibition Industry

Mark Shashoua - Hyve Group Plc

Lalit Thukral - International Garment Fair Association

EEA2022 Winners

July 2022

Outstanding Contribution in MICE Industry

Excellence In Promoting Sustainable Development Of MICE Industry

Neeraj Dhawan - Falcon Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.

Singapore Tourism Board

Distinguished Leadership Award

Exemplary Services Award

Vinnie Mehta ACMA India

Romi Furtado Prime Entertainers

The Pillar of Positivity Award

The Dynamic CEO

Ravinder Sethi - R.E. Rogers India Pvt. Ltd.

Sudeep Sarcar - India Exposition Mart Ltd.

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Special Editor Choice Awards: Leading Women Achievers In Exhibition Industry I am sincerely grateful to Exhibition Excellence Awards for this unexpected acknowledgement that rewards AEFI's daily efforts. My satisfaction is even greater because it comes from a country - India - that really has done a lot for the exhibition and fair sector: Ÿ at domestic level, with beautiful campaigns that are a source of inspiration for all of us Ÿ at international level, with its involvement in top positions in world organisations such as UFI and IELA and Loredana Sar with the close synergy with National Associations, such as that which has existed for years between AEFI and General Secretary IELA. AEFI The last three years have been full of challenges for our sector. During the pandemic, our Association worked hard with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the Regional Authorities, to create the conditions for the resumption of exhibitions and fairs, drawing up protocols for reopening, vaccinations and financial compensation.

Just as tensions relating to the pandemic began to ease, we found ourselves facing another emergency, that created by the war currently affecting Europe. Our commitment to peace is to keep the ties between people alive and encourage action in the social field. The effects of climate change have confirmed the importance of sustainability at the heart of work: exhibitions can educate through new products and inspire other activities via the adoption of virtuous processes such as those we are developing with the Ministry of Ecological Transition. What we have learned is that a solution must be sought for every problem, and the solution is working together, synergistically, taking every experience into account. For example, I learned that the solution to the pandemic would be the vaccine from a conference of Exhibition Showcase in April 2020. As for the future, trade exhibitions have always been a place for people and businesses to meet and seize opportunities. But now more than ever we are realising the importance of our dual role: as drivers of the economic recovery of our countries, on one hand, and as facilitators of relations, collaboration and respect between cultures on the other. This is what we have to keep doing, with the certainty that our work is useful for our economies and societies. Thank you once again to Exhibition Showcase, for creating important moments of exchange throughout the pandemic, and thank you again to IEIA for this acknowledgement.

Globally Leading Media For Exhibition Industry

www.exhibitionshowcase.com

Special Editor Choice Awards: Most Influential Leaders In The Global Exhibition Industry I have been in the exhibition industry now for almost 30 years and certainly never experienced anything quite so challenging as the Covid19 crisis we have been dealing with since early 2020. Here in the USA, we realized very quickly how important it was that our industry was visible to the politicians that were deciding our fate, and we had to move quickly to advocate for our survival and value to the economy and markets we serve. Exhibitions have been serving business communities for hundreds (if not thousands) of years and continue to be the most David Audrain effective form of marketing products there is. While the Pandemic shut the industry down globally for much of CEO, SISO 2020-2021, we are now seeing the proof of the resilience of our industry through the very rapid and successful resurgence of shows around the world. The facts are clear, exhibitions are the engine that drive commerce in every business sector and every economy around the world, and they will continue to do this effectively far into the future beyond all of our lifetimes. Serving the industry as CEO of SISO, the Society of Independent Show Organizers for the last 7 years has been a highlight of my career and extremely fulfilling. SISO has a unique position in the industry serving the for-profit organizers around the world for more than 30 years, and the SISO CEO Summit is the largest and most influential annual gathering of the industry’s leaders from around the world. As I work towards handing over the reins of managing SISO at the end of this year, I am excited to be able to focus 100% back on the company and events that my partner and I started in 2012. I wish to thank Raghav and the Exhibition Showcase magazine. It is with great pleasure that I accept this Exhibition Excellence Award, and I recognize the great efforts of my partner, Stephanie Everett, my team at our company, ExpoDevCo, and all of the volunteers and colleagues throughout the industry that continue to work tirelessly every day to produce successful events that bring value to our customers.

Globally Leading Media For Exhibition Industry

www.exhibitionshowcase.com

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Special Editor Choice Awards: Most Distinguished Achievers In The Exhibition Industry

Paul Woodward Chairman, Paul Woodward Advisory

It is truly a great honour to have been selected for this award from India Showcase. Many thanks to Raghav Khosla and all involved. I have been part of the business of conferences and exhibitions around the world for 40 years now and they have, of course, evolved massively over that time. It has been particularly exciting for me to see the way in which the industry has taken off in Asia, particularly India, and I have been lucky to be work so closely with the pioneers and leaders in the region.

The past 2 – 3 years have been unusually tough for all businesses but particularly our events world which requires participants to be able and comfortable to travel and mingle in large groups. There have been many interesting experiments with new digital tools but it has been gratifying to see just how enthusiastically both exhibitors and visitors have rushed back to in-person trade shows as soon as that was possible.

We are now facing new challenges with war in Europe and the economic pressures of inflation causing concerns around the world. But we can enter this period confident that the world of business recognises the enormous value of face to face events in promoting innovation and generating sales. The future will not be without its challenges, but our exhibitions and other business events will undoubtedly be an important part of it.

Special Editor Choice Awards: Outstanding Influencers In The Exhibition Industry All of you, who know me a little bit more, know how close India is to my heart and I truly must say, that my time in India from 2013 to 2017 was one of the most inspiring and influential chapters of my life so far. Amongst my best memories of India, of which I have plenty, is definitely the hard work of Exhibition Showcase and the team of Raghav, establishing a wonderful magazine for our engaging industry, with this highlight of celebrating an Igor Palka award ceremony, that I was part of since its inauguration, when I received my first award on behalf of bauma MD, VNU Asia Conexpo India in 2016. I wish, I could have joined you in person today, but I promise to be in India back very Pacific soon.

Receiving today an award in the category “Most Distinguished Achievers in The Exhibition Industry" is not only making me extremely proud, but deserves a big thank you to my previous teams, in Germany, India and obviously to EEA, all our partners and customers around the world – without you, this wouldn’t have been possible – thank you very much! The Exhibition Industry is my true and only professional home, since I started working in this beautiful sector by the end of 2003, when I just have turned 20. 19 years later, I cannot see myself anywhere else. Even the difficult last two years have shown us all the strong cohesion among all industry peers.

Sharing in endless zoom meetings our common challenges and working on best practices and solutions, made us getting closer even virtually and helped in adapting our thinking and approach for the new era of trade fair business, whereas we all will keep agreeing, that nothing will ever replace the faceto-face business. www.exhibitionshowcase.com

In my next years, until I maybe be eligible for the next award from EEA, I will be looking into more cooperation’s between India and Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, whilst providing the right powerful platforms to our customers.

This won’t only give you plenty of opportunities of coming to our trade fairs in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia, but hopefully me, the chance to enjoy Indian hospitality at its best soon again. I can’t wait to meet you all in person again – namaste!

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Special Editor Choice Awards: Leading Women Achievers In Exhibition Industry I am overwhelmed with gratitude to receive Exhibition Showcase Editor’s Choice of Leading Women Achievers in the Exhibition Industry award. I am honoured to have my work recognized in this way! In my 15+ year career in the exhibition industry, I had the privilege of working with many good bosses, colleagues, industry friends, business partners and managed to build a successful career in exhibition logistics, especially for an Asian Women. With the onset of Covid in 2020, the exhibition logistics business was decimated. After leaving my Priscilla Leong MD, Expotrans Corporate career behind, I started a company Expotrans Pte Ltd in late 2020 with some industry partners. We Pte Ltd share a common vision that physical exhibitions will return but we will have to look at using technology to increase operational efficiency and respond to the needs of customers in the New Normal. Whilst we wait for the shows to return, Expotrans has been busy looking at and implementing tech solutions that can respond to new environment. Now with many countries opening up, we are ready to return to our core business of exhibition logistics, having been accredited at all 3 major exhibition venues namely MBS, Singapore Expo and SUNTEC to support Organisers with their shows in Singapore. We are also actively supporting Singapore businesses to promote their products and services overseas. UP and ON from now! Starting up a company during the Covid period is really not for the faint-hearted. I remain thankful to my business partners for their trust in my ability and all fellow industry friends that have been helpful and encouraging me in this new journey. In my years with the Exhibition industry, many hours went into serving local and international industry associations working on varied initiatives with a sole desire to contribute to the betterment of the industry. I am so passionate about the industry and will continue to serve and contribute to the best of my ability. www.exhibitionshowcase.com

Raghav Khosla Group Editor Exhibition Showcase

Special Editor Choice Awards: Outstanding Influencers In The Exhibition Industry It is such an honor to be conferred the recognition as an Outstanding Influencer In The Exhibition Industry by such an esteemed body like the Exhibitions Excellence Awards.

This is made even more special with the industry going through one of its most challenging times. Pushing Joel Pascual through the pandemic required quick thinking, innovating, experimentation and a large degree of selflessness. Owner, Premier We had to spend so much time and effort learning how to deal with the virus, how to reengineer our operations, Events Plus Group how to communicate with our governments and how to rebuild confidence in our markets as we started reopening our events. But the biggest learning I had from this pandemic is a lesson on resilience. I saw how most of the industry players never gave up on our businesses and our on our people. We pushed ourselves to pivot to different directions just to continue being relevant and to continue giving employment to our staff. We recognized the importance of MICE and how it would be an invaluable sector in rebuilding economies around the world.

For, at the end of the day, there is truly no replacement for the efficiency of the face-to-face meetings. Yes we have learned so many new skills and possibly new revenue streams from our virtual pivots, but I do believe that the face-to-face encounters between the buyers and the sellers will continue to be at the forefront of our core businesses moving forward. www.exhibitionshowcase.com

Joel Pascual

Hoping that the worst of the pandemic is already behind us, we at PEPTarsus are so overwhelmed with how successful our events has been since we started reopening.

Clearly, the bouncing back pre-pandemic levels will be quick.

Once again, my heartfelt gratitude for the recognition given to me. It makes all the efforts of fighting for the industry all the more worth it when you are recognized by your own peers. Maraming Salamat Po!

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Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

Special Editor Choice Awards: Most Distinguished Achievers In The Exhibition Industry I am absolutely delighted to be recognised in the 6th edition of Exhibition Excellence Awards, under the Editors’ choice award of “Most Distinguished Achievers In The Exhibition Industry”. I accept this award on behalf of our global Hyve colleagues, who have worked tirelessly to get our customer communities back to events, and deliver significant value for them, following a turbulent few years. This includes our wonderful team Mark Shashoua in India who represents a portfolio of market-leading shows such as Paperex, the world’s largest exhibition for CEO, Hyve Group Plc the paper industry, and our world-class sound and audio show PALM Expo. Both of these events were warmly welcomed back by our customer communities and provided necessary opportunities to reignite business and create new connections. In the past year, Hyve has once again seen significant transformation, with a number of key acquisitions having accelerated our digital evolution and expanded our presence into new and growing sectors and launched a number of brand-new events in response to growing customer demand. It is a deep regret that I am unable to collect the award in person as I am currently traveling, however I am delighted that our general manager for India, Gaurav Sood can collect this honour on my behalf. On behalf of Hyve, I would like to thank the team at Exhibition Showcase for continuing to unite and represent the exhibition industry in India.

Special Editor Choice Awards: Leading Women Achievers In Exhibition Industry “I am humbled and honored to receive the Special Editor Choice Award for “Leading Women Achievers in the Exhibition Industry” and would like to thank Exhibition Showcase and the honorary jury of EEA for this recognition.

Angela Herberholz The last years have been challenging for us as an industry, for Programme us professionally and for me personally. My biggest learning has been to rely on and trust in myself, fail forward together Manager, UFI and always be reminded that change means opportunity. My wish for our industry is to leverage that change and continue the path towards gender equality. There is still so much to be done together.I would like to dedicate this award to all female and male colleagues whom we lost during the pandemic”.

Special Editor Choice Awards: Outstanding Influencers In The Exhibition Industry First of all let me tell you how grateful and thankful I am to receive this special award of being an influencer for our exhibitions industry. After the pandemic India was one of my first destination to visit and my trip in May showed me a great Björn Kempe country that is growing strongly out of the pandemic. The Founding Partner events industry in India seems vibrant, the restart of Arena MICE Funds exhibitions has been very successful. The opening of JIO in Mumbai also opens a new chapter for the venues in India with not only country best venue but now worldclass exhibition and congress venues available in the heart of Mumbai. Exhibition Showcase is a very important media in India to present

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www.exhibitionshowcase.com

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

EEA2022 Messages

July 2022

different success models and visions from the many owners of MICE businesses in India. The EEA initiatives for this award and promoting the Indian exhibition and events markets is very important and I congratulate the entire team for this great achievement and I am sure there will be more to coming in the next few years!!!

Special Editor Choice Awards: Outstanding Influencers In The Exhibition Industry Exhibition Showcase as leading magazine and portal of the Indian Event Industry has been done great job in the last two years with sharing information about the current trends in the global event industry, giving its support and encouraging Indian companies in difficult times of COVID 19 pandemic. It is a great success to re-start Exhibition Excellence Awards 2022 after pandemic again in order to bring together all the leading players from Indian and global event industry to discuss future of the event industry and to award the best Berislav Čižmek among them. My congratulations to all awarded events CEO, CBBS and colleagues, to the organizers, partners and sponsors of this amazing event. Our company CBBS Ltd is trade fair consulting, brokerage and EU lobbying company. I'm proud member of UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) and ETT Club (Exhibition Think Tank Club), with more than 25 years of experience in the global event industry as exhibition organizer, venue owner, consultant and broker. It is my great honour being awarded in the category: “Outstanding Influencers in The Exhibition Industry", this is definitely one the highest recognition I have received for my work in the event industry, appreciate your prestigious award very much.

Globally Leading Media For Exhibition Industry

Acknowledged & Supported By

Special Editor Choice Awards: Leading Women Achievers In Exhibition Industry I find it a great pleasure and true honour to receive nomination in the 6th edition of the Exhibition Excellence Awards, the Leading Woman Achievers in the Exhibition Industry category.

I am incredibly grateful for this extraordinary distinction. However, I must admit that I have had such positive emotions in some other instance, and that it is when I meet and talk to satisfied exhibitors and visitors.

Joanna Marcjan Deputy Director for The satisfaction of our guests is the most important in my work and provides me with a large dose of Trade Fairs Department motivation for further action, which may also make me deserve another award in the future.

Meeting, conversations - the pandemic clearly demonstrated to me and the entire exhibition industry that these are the most critical aspects of our work. In the online world, we cannot shake hands. And looking in the eyes through a computer monitor also does not help build valuable relationships. Face-to-face meetings are as important in business as an exciting offer or extraordinary sales tricks. I am glad that Targi Kielce managed to survive this challenging time, and now we are slowly returning on the right track. This is the expo track we rushed forward before the outbreak of the pandemic. I have been working in this industry since 2001 since 2017 as the deputy director of the treade fair department. For over 20 years, I have been fortunate. Firstly because I worked on existing or emerging, fantastic exhibition projects. Secondly, because I was able to implement them with a team of great people.

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Globally Leading Media For Exhibition Industry

www.exhibitionshowcase.com

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Insights

July 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT SUNIL MORE INDIAN EXIBITIONS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS SERVICES ASSOCIATION

Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the selfesteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish.

T

he last week brought the industry professionals together and the event was the EEA Awards organised by Exhibition Showcase. The event which attracted about 400 delegates, was organised with precision and created great positive vibes amongst the delegates.

One could see from the enthusiasm of the delegates that the industry was eager to surge forward and start organising events. Last couple of months also saw a number of Shows happening and the visitor footfall was phenomenal. These events confirmed that the industry was returning to its

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pre-CoVid levels - slowly but steadily.Another industry event is planned in the next month - India Expo Shop 2022 or IES 2022 in short.

IES 2022, the exhibition of the industry serving exhibitions, conferences, events and corporate houses will be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 24th to 26th August 2022.

A number of co-located events are taking place during the Show.One day conference on the future of industry will be held with industry leaders sharing their thoughts on emerging opportunities and looming challenges.

A session by ICPB is also planned, whereas IEIA is holding its IEIAConnect programme during the Exhibition. B2B Meetings will be held and more than 100 clients have already registered for the same.I invite you all to visit the Exhibition and also attend other programmes happening during the Exhibition.

More information about the Exhibition is available on its website; www.indiaexposhop.in where you can also register yourself for a visit.So, friends, looking forward to receiving you at another industry event less than a month away!Sunil More

Asia’s Most Comprehensive Media Pla orm For MICE

Study

July 2022

UFI Global Barometer Provides Updates On The “Bounce-back” Of The Exhibition Industry, As Well As Latest Global Outlook For 2023 (17%) and “Competition with other media” (15%) are the most common.

Meanwhile, the “Impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the business” has dropped from being the most pressing business issue to the sixth-most pressing issue (a drop from 19% to 11%), compared to the previous edition of the Barometer.

FI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the latest edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research, which takes the pulse of the industry. Ÿ

U

The results highlight the quickening pace of the industry’s recovery in 2022, after the continuing impact of COVID19 throughout 2021. The sector is bouncing back quickly, and revenues for the first half of 2023 are expected to reach 87% of comparable 2019 levels (noting that 2019 has been the industry’s record year to date).

In terms of operations, around six in ten companies are reporting “normal activity” – up from just three in ten, six months ago. By the end of the year, seven in ten companies expect to be operating at normal levels, while only around 5% of companies still expect to have “no activity” from September 2022. When asked what elements are most crucial to supporting the “bounce-

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back” of exhibitions, six in ten companies selected “Lifting of current travel restrictions” and “Readiness of exhibiting companies and visitors to participate again”. The two next most influential drivers are “Financial incentive packages (leading to reduced costs for the exhibitors)” and “Lifting of current public policies that apply locally to exhibitions”, mentioned by four in ten and three in ten companies respectively. In terms of 2022 operating profits, 25% of companies globally are expecting either a loss, or a reduction of more than 50%, compared to 2019 levels. Overall, 73% of companies received no public financial support during the pandemic, and for the majority of those that did, financial public aid represented less than 10% of their overall costs.

The most pressing business issues reflect how the industry is now focusing on post-pandemic challenges and opportunities. “Internal management challenges” (highlighted by 20% of respondents), “Impact of digitisation”

“The bounce-back of exhibitions around the world has entered its next phase, and preCOVID levels will be within reach as early as next year in some markets,” says Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO at UFI. “As the industry manages this amazing recovery, it is also dealing with significant staffing challenges, and is working to apply key learning from the pandemic around the digitisation of events and services into its business model.”

Size and scope This latest edition of UFI’s bi-annual industry survey was concluded in June 2022, and includes data from 366 companies in 57 countries and regions.

The study also includes outlooks and analysis for 23 focus countries and regions – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US – as well as five additional aggregated regional zones.

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Study

July 2022 An analysis per industry segment (organiser, venue and service provider) shows no differences with regard to the three most important issues, which remain “Internal management challenges”, “Impact of digitisation” and “Competition with other media”.

Future exhibition formats: physical and digital events In addition to the 87% of companies who are confident that “COVID-19 confirms the value of face-to- face events”:

Operations: reopening exhibitions

this number was higher in Central and South America (38%).

Spain, Turkey and the UK, in Europe, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in the Middle East, and Australia and Brazil stand out as markets where the majority of companies returned to normal activity levels in early 2022. Globally, the majority of markets reached this point in March 2022. Notably, Asia, as a region, only reached this point in May (with China not expecting to reach this point until October, and for Hong Kong not until next year)..

Globally, 69% of companies are currently in the process of recruiting more staff, with 62% facing difficulties with sourcing appropriate candidates. In all regions, most companies are currently recruiting more staff, while at country level, China is the only country where a majority of companies are not recruiting.

Digitisation

Key business issues

Overall, 65% of respondents have added digital services/products (such as apps, digital advertising and digital signage) to their existing exhibition offerings. This is especially the case in Asia-Pacific (71%). In addition, while 49% of respondents globally indicated they have digitised internal processes and workflows, this number was higher in the Middle East and Africa (62%) and Europe (55%).

“Internal management challenges” is the key business issue for all regions, and it is the most selected issue for most markets, with staffing being the most prevalent of these challenges. Some differences can be seen in relation to “Impact of digitisation”, which is the most pressing issue in Colombia (24%) and Germany, Malaysia and Thailand (20%). Meanwhile, “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business” remains the most important business in China (21%) and Hong Kong and Japan (20%).

While 32% of respondents globally have developed a digital or transformation strategy for exhibitions and products,

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Staff recruitment

– 31% (compared to 44% in the previous edition, and 46% in the edition prior to that) believe there will be “Less international ‘physical’ exhibitions and, overall, less participants” (with 4% stating “Yes, for sure”, 27% stating “Most probably” and 26% remaining unsure).

– 61% (compared to 73% and 76% previously) believe there is “A push towards hybrid events, more digital elements at events” (with 19% stating “Yes, for sure”, 42% stating “Most probably” and 20% remaining unsure).

– 6% (compared to 10% and 14% previously) agree that “Virtual events are replacing physical events”, with 16% being unsure and 57% stating “Definitely not”.

The results are similar across regions, with the exception of a significantly higher proportion of companies (35%) being “unsure” that “Virtual events are replacing physical events” in Central and South America.

The 29th Global Barometer survey, concluded in June 2022, provides insights from 366 companies, across 57 countries and regions. It was conducted in collaboration with 19 UFI member associations.

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July 2022

Richard Murphy Richard Murphy has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of BPA Worldwide, a leading global assurance provider of media, technology, events, and sustainability compliance. He replaces Glenn Hansen, who has announced his intent to retire in June 2023. Murphy brings 30 years of experience with BPA to this position. He was formerly Executive Vice President, where he led global operations and was instrumental in launching BPA's iCompli Technology Assurance division. Murphy joined BPA worldwide in 1992 and has held a succession of management and executive positions in New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Shelton, CT.

Akshar Patel Questex announced that hospitality and event leader Akshar Patel has joined as Senior Director of Events & Strategy, Hotel Operations. In this newly created position, Patel will be responsible for Questex’s hotel operation events – Hotel ROI and the Hotec portfolio of hosted buyer meetings – and growth of the portfolio through acquisition, partnerships and organic initiatives. With nearly 20 years of experience in leadership, event strategy and business operations, Patel joins Questex with a proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale live and virtual events and trade shows.

Dustin Arnheim Choose Chicago announced that, effective July 18th Dustin Arnheim will join the Choose Chicago team as the new Senior Vice President of Sales and Services. In this role, Arnheim will serve as a key executive member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to President & CEO Lynn Osmond and leading a team of 20 accomplished sales and services professionals. He will provide overall leadership of these departments along with securing new conventions and meetings at venues throughout the city, most notably Chicago’s McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America.

Florian Faber MCH Group Ltd., based in Basel/Switzerland, has announced the appointment of its new Group CEO. As of July 1, 2022, Florian Faber, MBA, will be Group Chief Executive Officer. He will take over from Beat Zwahlen, who has been leading the Group through very difficult times in the last 18 months.

Florian Faber is the Head of the Live Marketing Solutions (LMS) Division and has been with MCH Group since 2009.

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Global News

July 2022

Starting A Strong Fall Trade Fair Season With Confidence: Messe München Expects A Positive Result For 2022

ith an unprecedented number of events, the current 2022 fiscal year is seen as crucial for Messe München, now under the dual leadership of Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel, who took over as joint managing directors/CEOs with equal responsibilities on July 1, 2022.

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“The start of the 2022 trade fair season in the second quarter of 2022 can definitely be called a real success. Our customers have confirmed that trade fairs are absolutely essential, especially when it comes to complex and innovative topics. And personal contact, which cannot be digitized, is just as essential,” say the two CEOs Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel.

They are referring to leading trade fairs such as LASER World of PHOTONICS, INHORGENTA MUNICH, analytica, automatica, ceramitec, OutDoor by ISPO and IFAT, which took over the entire exhibition grounds in May. As in 2020, the 2021 annual financial statements were sobering due to coronavirus. Messe München GmbH generated sales of EUR 127.2 million (2020: EUR 93.6 million).

Globally, the company generated group

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sales of EUR 158.1 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for Messe München GmbH totaled EUR –33.0 million for 2021. Despite the challenges it faced, Messe München held 125 events with its international subsidiaries and guest events in 2021. These events were attended by more than 1.1 million visitors and participants – both online and in-person. Overall, in addition to 79 guest events (the IHM international trade fair for the craft trades, The smarter E Europe, and congresses, including the EuroMedLab medical congress), Messe München will also hold a total of 43 of its own events in Germany and abroad in 2022. In the fall alone, it will hold five of the world's leading trade fairs, most notably bauma, the largest trade fair in the world in terms of exhibition space.

Both CEOs are confident: “The response from our customers is very positive. Based on our experience from

the last two years, we can conclude that personal contact can neither be digitized nor replaced. New networks, new innovations, and new customers come about through personal encounters at our trade fairs. And this year we have a packed calendar of events.”

The dual leadership team sees profitable growth in the expansion of core business. In the area of sustainability, Messe München set the course for climate-neutral trade fairs at an early stage. It has set itself the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2030 at the latest: “Sustainability is increasingly a key competitive factor in trade fair business.

That is why Messe München's sustainability strategy includes a host of measures and projects in the fields of energy, water, mobility, biodiversity, social affairs, governance, and resources.

Important goals are making sustainability measurable, establishing a zero-waste strategy, in other words, avoiding waste and closing resource loops, and carbon offsetting options for customers, or making internal and external mobility products largely low-carbon,” say the two CEOs. Digital solutions and processes are now important components of trade fair business and will become increasingly important in the future.

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