Mar 2020

Rs. 125

Mar 2020

The Looming Threat Of

Coronavirus On The Survival Of Our Industry

From The Desk Of DEAR READERS, The Group Editor

Tourism industry is important for the benefits it brings and due to its role as a commercial ac vity that creates demand and growth for many more industries. Tourism not only contributes towards more economic ac vi es but also generates more employment, revenues and play a significant role in development. It includes business tourism commonly denoted by the term MICE – Mee ngs, Incen ves, Conferences, Events & Exhibi ons.

According to Caroline Freund, Global Director of Trade, Investment and Compe veness at the World Bank, the tourism industry is at a stands ll. Even as policymakers around the world seek ways to mi gate the economic impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, recovery can’t begin un l the health emergency is under control and travel restric ons can be li ed safely. The longer the health crisis lasts, the more difficult for companies to survive — especially the small- and medium-sized enterprises that make up a big share of the tourism ecosystem — and greater the distress for workers.

Showcasing The World Of Business Tourism

M I C E Showcase &

PSU BUZZ

LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

And the governments are rightly worried. Up to 75 million jobs are at immediate risk in global Travel & Tourism due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The figure, based on research from WTTC, shows a Travel & Tourism GDP loss to the world economy of up to US$2.1 trillion in 2020. The latest projec on of a 50% increase in jobs at risk, in less than two weeks, represents a significant and worrying trend, with an astounding one million jobs being lost every day in the Travel & Tourism sector.

In the U.S. there will be a $910 billion hit to the economy due to the decrease in travel, which is seven mes the impact 9/11 had on the industry!!

More than half of global airlines could ‘die’ without aid, says IATA The Associa on also says that the global passenger revenues could fall by $252 billion this year – 44 per cent down on 2019’s figures!! “The airline industry faces its gravest crisis,” warned IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac . “Within a ma er of a few weeks, our previous worst case scenario is looking be er than our latest es mates. But without immediate government relief measures, there will not be an industry le standing.

Airlines need $200 billion in liquidity support simply to make it through. Some governments have already stepped forward, but many more need to follow suit.”

IATA praised several governments around the world for their state support for the airline industry, ci ng examples including: Ÿ Australia has announced an A$715 million (US$430 million) aid package comprising refunds and forward waivers on fuel taxes, and domes c air naviga on and regional avia on security charges. Ÿ Brazil is allowing airlines to postpone payments of air naviga on and airport fees. Ÿ China has introduced a number of measures, including reduc ons in landing, parking and air naviga on charges as well as subsidies for airlines that con nued to mount flights to the country. Ÿ Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA), with government support, is providing a total relief package valued at HK$1.6 billion (US$206 million) for the airport community including waivers on airport and air naviga on fees and charges, and certain licensing fees, rent reduc ons for avia on services providers and other measures. Ÿ New Zealand’s government will open a NZ$900 million (US$580 million) loan facility to the na onal carrier as well as an addi onal NZ$600 million relief package for the avia on sector. Ÿ Norway’s government is providing a condi onal state loan-guarantee for its avia on industry totaling NKr6 billion (US$533 million). Ÿ Qatar’s Minister of Finance has issued a statement of support for the na onal carrier. Ÿ Singapore has undertaken relief measures valued at S$112 million (US$82 million) including rebates on airport charges, assistance to ground handling agents, and rental rebates at Changi Airport. Ÿ Sweden and Denmark announced $300m in state loan guarantees for the na onal carrier.

INDUSTRY IN PICTURES FROM THE WORLD

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, UFI announces that the La n American Conference #ufibuenosaires has been postponed. New dates to be announced soon. UFI is con nuing to work hard to support the exhibi on industry to make it through this difficult me #inthistogether

ITB Berlin 2020 is cancelled due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 Messe Berlin reported in a press statement late Friday evening. The decision was made following strong recommenda ons from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Economics during the course of the day that presured Messe Berlin to cancel the show the firstever in 54 years.

SACEOS,with the support of @stb_sg, ESG, @SkillsFutureSG & Minterest concluded 2 sessions on the SG Budget 2020 today.There is a range of assistance package to support and help the industry and SACEOS will con nue to work with the public agencies to render support for businesses.

Shri. P. Udayakumar, Dir. (P&M) was the Chairperson for Technical Session on "Challenges & Opportuni es for India MSMEs" during the 7th MSMEs Na onal Excellence Awards & Summit on MSMEs - Growth Engine of India's Economy.

To promote #quality of indigenous goods & services and increase domes c and export market, QCI & @UPGovt signed an MoU for developing & tes ng framework for all One District-One Product (ODOP). #ODOP Scheme will help UP become USD 1 trillion economy by 2024.

Glimpses of interac ve panel discussion by the Guest of Honour H. E. Mr. Farhod Arziev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan India and Business Deliga on from Uzbekistan on "Investment, Trade and Tourism Poten al of Uzbekistan's" organised by WTC Mumbai.

We must strike a fine balance between driving the economic engine of the country and maintaining the safety of our people: @ficci_india President Dr Sangita Reddy at #WingsIndia2020 in Hyderabad.

Would like to thank all dis nguished SAARC leaders who joined today’s video conference to tackle COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus and shared best prac ces from their respec ve na ons to overcome this challenge as well as frui ul sugges ons on crea ng a healthier region.

A ended an event in Bengaluru, named Shagun-the auspicious, supported by @ASSOCHAM4India. The event was in line with @UN's theme of Gender Equality this year where we recognised women for their exemplary performance across different categories. #IWD202

10 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

OF FACEBOOK & TWITTER

Kerala has been adjudged India’s Best Wellness Des na on by @oltraveller for the year 2020. The award was accepted in New Delhi by Shri PK Sooraj, Kerala Tourism Informa on Officer, from Shri @PandaJay

The Tourism Commi ee of PHDCCI organized the 9th Interna onal Heritage Tourism Conclave with the theme ‘Achieving SDG 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage’ on 13 March 2020 at Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior.

The Interna onal Exhibi on Logis cs Associa on (@IELAWORLD) has launched a new campaign, ‘Together Strong’. #IELA #events #eventprofs #logis cs #tradeshowprofs @Exhibi onWorld #exhibi onworld #CEVAShowfreight

R.E. Rogers India: "We were proud to be one of the official freight forwarders of @indiawood2020& to be the witnesses of the success of this event gathering 875 exhibitors from over 50 countries last week at @BIECentre

Recognize a deserving woman for her outstanding contribu ons to Exhibi on industry by nomina ng her for the Woman of Achievement Award! Honors will be awarded at the signature #IAEE_WLF and #ExpoExpo!

Mr.Anbu , DG & CEO (IMTMA & BIEC) and UFI incoming President along with CEO’s from the Global Exhibi on Industry with Pope Francis at the Va can. A rare opportunity !

ICCA’s global community will really miss IMEX and thought provoking conversa ons but share our hear elt support for the direc on taken by IMEX. Health and safety of our global community is utmost important in these challenging mes @ICCAWorld

#WorldTradeCenterMumbai celebrated #Interna onalWomen’sDay with zeal and enthusiasm through ‘Celebrate the spirit of one World, Many women countless Opportuni es’. It was truly a day for business and trade connec ons, Mul level Interac ons and incredible mo va on.

SATTE, South Asia´s biggest travel and tourism exhibi on, organised by Informa Markets in India, recorded its biggest showcaseof Indian and interna onal tourism products and des na ons in its 27th edi on, reinforcing its status as the biggest

11 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Quick Bytes Digital Signage Expo 2020 Totake Place As Planned Show management of Digital Signage Expo issued a statement to address recent concerns surrounding the coronavirus: With our trade show and conference staging March 31- April 3, and no outbreak of this virus in the U.S., we can confirm that DSE 2020 will take place as planned. We have been closely monitoring the situa on and will con nue to do so over the coming weeks. The greater majority of DSE's exhibitors and a endees are based in the U.S. There are currently no travel restric ons within the U.S., or to and from most interna onal des na ons. We don't expect that to change prior to the show dates. So, travel to and from DSE 2020 should be as convenient and safe as ever. The travel restric ons to and from China and South Korea have caused a select few of our 2020 exhibitors to cancel their plans to exhibit. This will not have a material impact on our trade show. Also, DSE tradi onally does not have many a endees from China and South Korea (less than 2%). So based on the current restric ons to and from these countries, we don't expect any a endance from either for DSE 2020.Las Vegas is one of the world's top conven on des na ons, so the safety of their visitors is a high priority. They, too, are monitoring this situa on closely and will be ready to respond accordingly should anything change. DSE will be held March 31 - April 3, 2020 at the Las Vegas Conven on Center. Digital Signage Expo (DSE) is the world's largest interna onal trade show and educa onal conference dedicated to digital displays, interac ve technology and digital communica ons networks.

MIPIM 2020 Deferred In June 2020 At Cannes

Kingpins Denim Trade Fair D e n i m - fo c u s e d t ra d e s h o w K i n g p i n s announced that it would cancel its Hong Kong 2020 edi on—which was scheduled for May 13-14—amid coronavirus concerns. Ci ng travel restric ons due to the coronavirus in China and health concerns stemming from the epidemic, Kingpins Show founder Andrew Olah issued a statement regarding the decision to cancel the event. “We are very concerned about the situa on in China and understand that many of our exhibitors and a endees are d e a l i n g w i t h ex t re m e d i ffi c u l e s a n d uncertainty due to efforts to contain the spread of the virus,” he said. “In light of these issues and the expecta on that the disrup on will con nue for some me, we felt it best to cancel our Hong Kong event. The health and safety of our exhibitors and a endees is our primary concern. We will be back in 2021.” In addi on to the Feb. 11 announcement of the show's cancella on, show organizers revealed Kingpins China City Tour remained scheduled for Sept. 2-4 and the next Hong Kong edi on would take place in May 2021.“The Asian denim market remains central to the global denim industry and we look forward to bringing this interna onal community together in September,” Kingpins Managing Director, Vivian Wang, said in a press release. Kingpins' next show is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam April 22-23.

12 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Reed MIDEM, organizer of MIPIM, the world's leading property market have announced that the 2020 edi on of the event has been rescheduled and will take place June 2-5 in Cannes. MIPIM's original March 10-13 dates are changing due to growing concerns related to the coronavirus (Covid19). “The well-being of our clients and staff is our priority. Given the evolving context, the best course of ac on is to postpone MIPIM to June,” said Reed MIDEM Chief Execu ve, Paul Zilk. “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We believe these new dates will provide the interna onal MIPIM community with the opportunity to achieve their business objec ves. We are grateful to our clients for their support and construc ve input during this challenging period, and we look forward to talking with them in the coming days about MIPIM in June,” added Paul Zilk. Established in 1990, MIPIM is a 4-day real estate event to meet the most influen al players from all sectors of the interna onal real estate industry. It brings the en re value chain together and gives unrivalled access to the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital worldwide.

Postponement Announcement10th IEIA Open Seminar The ongoing unprecedented threat caused by COVID 19, which has now been announced as a ‘Pandemic’ by the World Health Organisa on (W.H.O.), has posed mul tude of challenges to the business ecosystem across the globe. While the world is bracing to face these challenges and prepare for alternate solu ons, ‘precau ons’ & ‘safety’ stand as the most important concern for all of us. Considering the tenta ve melines for the containment of COVID-19, the Indian Exhibi on Industry Associa on (IEIA) announces the postponement of its annual interna onal flagship eventthe ‘ 10th IEIA Open Seminar’, which was scheduled to be held from May 21 to 23, 2020 at BIEC, Bengaluru. The Organising Commi ee of the IEIA Open Seminar has been closely monitoring the developments both at the na onal and interna onal front. Basis the discussions held with our stakeholders, as well as keeping in line with the direc ves coming in from the Govt of India, we take the ‘safety element’ as our foremost priority and go ahead with the decision of postponement of our flagship event coun ng on the wholehearted support of all our stakeholders.

Quick Bytes

AIME Delivers Successful Event DespiteIndustry Challenges AIME, held in Melbourne from February 17–19, has successfully delivered an invigora ng industry event, with over 2,500 visitors and 300 exhibitors a ending. With over 10,000 mee ngs taking place over two days, quality buyers and exhibitors connected to conduct business for the years ahead. Furthermore, overall registra ons saw a 20 per cent upli despite current reduced levels of interna onal travel due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. “The feedback from both buyers and exhibitors so far has been incredibly posi ve and we're proud to have delivered what we set out to do. Looking forward to 2021, we will con nue to improve and elevate the AIME experience yet again,” said Ma Pearce, CEO, Talk2 Media & Events. Kicking off the three-day event, the Knowledge Exchange connected delegates from all over the world for a day of educa on and community building and were welcomed by the Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, The Honourable Mar n Pakula. Speakers across the day included Holly Ransom, CEO of Emergent, unpacking leadership skills for survival in a hyperconnected world, and Christopher Kai, CEO of The Mathem Group, exploring the power of human connec ons in business events.

This was followed by two days of business on the show floor, focusing on commercial outcomes.

Munich Will Be The City Of The New IAA 2021

Cloud Expo Asia, Hong Kong Announces New Dates For Its 2020 Events

Geneva Motor Show Cancelled As Switzerland Bans Large Events

Germany's Verband der Automobilindustrie, a trade organisa on represen ng the country's auto industry, has announced Munich as the new home of the event formerly known as the Frankfurt Motor Show. The VDA ini ally selected Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich as the prospec ve sites for the re-located Frankfurt Motor Show. “Munich has prevailed over Berlin and Hamburg. The three ci es that were shortlisted as the venue have all presented highly ambi ous and convincing plans to further develop the IAA together with the VDA,”said VDA President Hildegard Müller.

"It was a very close race, for which I thank the par cipants warmly." The IAA will evolve from an automo ve to a mobility pla orm. In addi on to the fascina on with cars, it should be the ini al spark that the host city will develop into a smart city with intelligent traffic concepts and innova ve networking of modes of transport - sustainable and geared to people's needs. Munich and the concept of the city offer the best condi ons for this - and thus for the restart of the IAA - in the opinion of the VDA board. Munich also convinced by making the city center and close to the city, highly a rac ve places as event loca ons the stage of the IAA.

To ensure a safe and smooth exhibi on experience amid the latest developments of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situa on, the organiser of Cloud Expo Asia, Hong Kong – CloserS ll Media has postponed the expo and its co-loca ng events, originally scheduled on 20-21 May to 23-24 September 2020 at the Hong Kong Conven on and Exhibi on Centre (HKCEC). “Safety is a top priority for us. Due to signs of community spreading of the coronavirus within the city, and a er extensive consulta ons with the Tech community, we believe running the events in September allows us the greatest chance of delivering a secure and vibrant pla orm for companies to do business.” said Ms Candice Wong, Event Director, CloserS ll Media. She added, “We seek the industry's understanding and support for this decision, and would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, partners and speakers for their con nuous support and commitment to work with us for the best possible outcome – Make tech industry to thrive amid current challenges!” Celebra ng its 5th year milestone, Cloud Expo Asia, Hong Kong and its co-loca ng events serve as one of the most important pla orms for Asia's tech community to conduct business, network and generate lively discussions around the latest cu ng-edge technologies.

The 90th edi on of the GIMS, which was to take place from 5 to 15 March 2020, will finally not take place. This is an injunc on decision of the Federal Council of 28 February 2020 that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place un l 15 March 2020. The decision falls 3 days before the opening of the exhibi on to the media. The organizers accept this decision: "We regret this situa on, but the health of all par cipants is our and our exhibitors' top priority. This is a case of force majeure and a tremendous loss for the manufacturers who have invested massively in their presence in Geneva. However, we are convinced that they will understand this decision," said Maurice Turre ni, Chairman of the Founda on Board. We would like to warmly thank all those involved in the organisa on of the 2020 edi on of GIMS. A few days before the opening of the event, the construc on of the stands was very nearly complete. A week a g o, d u r i n g t h e p r e s s c o n fe r e n c e s announcing the 2020 edi on, there was nothing to suggest that such a measure was necessary. The situa on changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland and the injuncton of the Federal Council on 28.02.2020.

13 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

News Buzz

ITPO Plans Next “Aahar” With Unprecedented Qualuity Par cipa on Silver Medal, ASSA Abloy, Hong Kong Ltd. took the Bronze Medal in the foreign category. In the category of Food & Processed Food, the Gold Medal, went to Morde Foods Pvt. Ltd. while Wingreens Farms Pvt. Ltd. and Cargill India Pvt. Ltd. were honored with the Silver and Bronze Medals, respec vely. EZY Cook – Classique Element LLP received the Gold medal; the Silver Medal was conferred to CLAY Cra (I) Pvt. Ltd. and the Bronze was presented to ELAN Professional Appliances Pvt. Ltd. in F&B Equipments category.

O

ne of the most sought B2B events of Interna onal Food and Hospitality industry in Asia AAHAR would be organized with renewed vigor next year to meet the space demand while keeping in view the inherent poten al and drive of the industry. Offering adequate space to every par cipant, Aahar 2021 would be hosted with fresh dynamics due to availability of new Halls in the world class Interna onal Exhibi on-cum- Centre(IECC) at Praga Maidan.

Hospitality & Décor Solu on and Foreign sector. Present on the occasion were

This flagship event of India Trade Promo on Organiza on (ITPO) and its associates would be launched by June 2020 in the current year, offering online stall booking, registra on and genera on of online pass system for convenience of the exhibitors and visitors. There would be filter screening process to ensure quality par cipa on and to a ract good clientele in the fair.

Shri V.K. Macker, President, Food and Hospitality Support Associa on of India(FHSAI), Shri Arvind Khanna, VicePresident, Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Manufacturers Associa on of India( HOTREMAI), Mr. Amit Lohani, Founder of FIFI, Shri Vikas Malhotra, General Manager, ITPO, senior representa ves from APEDA, par cipants from India and abroad as well as media persons.

This was pointed out by Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Execu ve Director, ITPO in his key note address a er presen ng AAHAR 2020 Awards of Excellence in different categories, which included: F&B Equipment, Food & Processed Food,

APEDA was awarded the Gold Medal in the Government par cipa on for largest area, In Foreign sector, the Gold Medal was conferred to the Ra onal Cooking System PTE. Ltd., Singapore, while the High Commission of Canada bagged the

16 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

In Hospitality and Décor Solu on sector, Spring Fit – Varahamur Flexirub Industries Pvt. Ltd. bagged the Gold; the Silver Medal was awarded to Gi Land Exports Orienta on and the Bronze Medal was presented to Fragrance.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri Vikas Malhotra, General Manager, ITPO acknowledged the con nued support of all the associates as well as different media ver cals for the event. He informed that around 38,000 nos. business visitors have visited AAHAR 2020 (March 3-7) during the ini al three days. The fair is set to conclude tomorrow and there is a considerable visitor response so far.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri V.K. Macker, President, FHSAI complimented ITPO for carrying forward the legacy of the fair since it incep on. While, Shri Amit Lohani, Founder FIFI op mizing expressed that AAHAR has all the poten al to become one of the world's largest event on lines with Anuga, Gulf Food and SIAL fair while Shri Arvind Khanna, Vice-President, HOTERMAI also addressed at the ceremony endorsing the sen ments of earlier speakers. AAHAR (March 03-07, 2020) has been hosted by ITPO with ac ve support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries., APEDA, ARCHII, HOTREMAI, FHSAI, FIFI, and AIFPA.

News Buzz

Informa Markets India, Announces The Launch Of 'maternal And Child Nutri on' Conference With Presen ng Partner DSM

I

nforma Markets, the organizers of leading exhibi ons such as Fi India and Children Baby Maternity Expo (CBME) has announced 'Maternal and Child Nutri on' conference at The Orchid, Mumbai on 1920 March 2020. This conference is presented by DSM Nutri on Company.

DSM is the leading supplier of vitamins and nutri onal premixes to the food and pharmaceu cal industries.

Changing lifestyles of to-be millennial mothers, specifically in cosmopolitan ci es with extreme reliance on industry products for nutri onal recovery, rising incomes, exposure to new ideas and technologies has made significance of maternal nutri on industry. Addi onally, a

poor dietary habit of the Alpha genera on has added to the challenges.

professionals from Pharma, Food or Generic Nutri on sector.

To address these challenges, Informa Markets in India has announced its premiere edi on of 'Maternal & Child Nutri on Conference' a niche pla orm for healthcare professionals and manufacturers across India to share and exchange their knowledge, recent trends and innova ons along with recent developments and solu ons within the arena of Science, Nutri on, Innova on & Technology.

Speaking on the launch of this exclusive 2day event, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director for Informa Markets in India said, "This 2 day power-packed conference will focus on key strategies for tackling issues revolving around Maternal and Child nutri on in India. Nutri on intake at this phase of life can never be ignored and this conference will encourage our nutri on manufacturing companies to innovate their offerings to suit the health and preferences of the target group. Informa Markets in India through shows such as CBME and Fi India has played a vital role over the years by crea ng awareness and demand for nutri on and novel products making paren ng easy. I am sure, with the launch of this conference in associa on with DSM, we will create added value to this sector and offer an experience in a manner that is unmatched to educate and ensure a healthy life for millennial mothers and genera on alpha."

It will highlight aspects like Regulatory Reforms, Innova ons and Research.

Informa Markets in India has onboarded more than 20 Speakers spanning across government bodies like AFSTI (The Associa on of Food Scien sts and Technologists (India)) and IDA (Indian Diete c Associa on), MNC's like GSK, Marico, Fresenius Kabi, Nestle among others. This conference will be marked by more than 120 esteemed business

The First Batch Of CEM To Be Held At India Expo Mart & Centre, Greater Noida From April 2020

I

ndian Exhibi on Industry Associa on (IEIA) announces the 6th edi on of Cer fied in Exhibi on Management® (CEM) India Program in associa on with the Interna onal Associa on of Exhibi ons and Events (IAEE).

The Cer fied in Exhibi on Management® (CEM) is a premier designa on which is globally recognized and represents the mark of high professional standards in the exhibi ons and events industry.

The program will be held at India Expo Centre, Delhi (NCR) in April and August 2020. CEM is a designa on cum cer fica on program aimed at suppor ng the exhibi on industry professionals to gain in-depth knowledge and skills at par with the interna onal standards.

CEM program is strategically designed with classroom ac vi es to help candidates to understand the various sec ons of the exhibi on industry involved in the successful running of exhibi ons and helps professionals in implemen ng the knowledge gained in real situa on.

18 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

News Buzz

Messe Frankfurt India Announces Launch Of Screen Print India 2020 - New Delhi Edi on

M

esse Frankfurt India, the leading trade fair organizer has announced the Screen Print India 2020 - New Delhi debut edi on. The trade fair will be held from 21 – 23 August 2020 at Praga Maidan, New Delhi concurrently with yet another premier trade fair GartexTexprocess India. Messe Frankfurt India Trade Fair Pvt Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of one of the world's leading trade show organisers, Messe Frankfurt Exhibi on GmbH, acquired the rights of Screen Print India in 2018.

In 2019, Messe Frankfurt India and MEX Exhibi ons entered into a strategic alliance to create GartexTexprocess India,

an integrated business pla orm for tex le sector.

Consolida ng its exper se in the tex le por olio, Messe Frankfurt India, have announced that Screen Print India 2020 will make its debut in New Delhi alongside GartexTexprocess India, thus bringing latest advancements and machinery in sectors like screen prin ng, tex le prin ng, digital and sublima on under one roof.

“It is a tac cal step to co-locate the Delhi edi on of Screen Print India exhibi on with the forthcoming GartexTexprocess India as it will enable exhibitors and visitors to benefit from the synergies between the two leading, interconnected tex le sector shows. This way, we are also able to offer a comprehensive product showcase to visitors across diverse categories within the garment and tex le finishing sector in general and screen and digital prin ng sector in par cular for this segment of buyers,” emphasisedMr Raj Manek, Execu ve Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings

Ltd while announcing the dates for Screen Print India exhibi on.

Organised jointly by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and MEX Exhibi ons Pvt Ltd, GartexTexprocess India is now in its 6th edi on. The show has grown tremendously over the years with the past edi on clocking a visitor base of 10,390 with 180 exhibitors and 300 brands. Having made its debut in 1994, Screen Print India exhibi on has been held bi-annually in Mumbai since its incep on and has grown wider in scope.

Bringing the two shows together will create big opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their product gamut, and visitors to explore widest range of or products and services.

Moreover, like its Mumbai edi on, Screen Print India New Delhi will also feature a special “SPI Sample Gallery” showcasing award winning pieces of screen prin ng excellence. Informa ve sessions and workshops will be conducted by various leading interna onal experts on a wide range of topics related to the graphics industry.

19 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

News Buzz

Texcare Forum India 2020 Concludes With Discussions On Digital Culture Penetra ng The Laundry And Dry-cleaning Industry

T

excare Forum India – LaundrexNet 2020 Conference marked its second edi on on 15 February 2020 emphasising on the tex le care sector implemen ng the fourth industry revolu on and challenges that comes in-hand with it. It was held during the Laundrex India Expo at Mumbai, India. Organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and Virtual Info Systems, the Conference focused on the theme of 'Industry turning to Laundrex 4.0' that highlighted the penetra on of digitally oriented technology in the Indian laundry and drycleaning industry.

Inaugurated by prominent members from the industry, the 2nd edi on of Texcare Forum India – LaundrexNet 2020 a racted 193 stakeholders, including key manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and other industry experts.

Laundry and dry-cleaning department personnel from store chains, franchisees and consultants as well as managers from hospitality, healthcare centres, hostels and manufacturing industries were among key a endees at the forum.

Presen ng the key-note with an emphasis on “re-thinking laundry and dry-cleaning in the digital era”, Mr Elgar Straub, Managing Director, VDMA Tex le Care,

20 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Fabric and Leather Technologies shared: “Today, more and more countries are adap ng higher living standards, leading to use of high-end technologies and increasing the demand for more skilled labour. Currently the top themes for the laundry sector are sustainability and resource efficiency, laundry 4.0, higher hygiene standards, hunt for young enthusias c talents and training them into professionals.”

Further elabora ng on the future of laundry, he added: “The next phase would be op misa on of process through automa on and digitalisa on. This could be achieved by AI (ar ficial intelligence), machine learning, big data, robo sa on and integra on of the whole laundry process including logis cs. The topics that will be discussed during the forum are not only important today but will also be very important for the future of this sector.”

The eminent panel of speakers included technology experts and sector specialists from India, Germany, Singapore and the UK. Being termed as a “hyper local concept” during the open forum for start-ups, the knowledge pla orm also touched points like the right franchise model that a laundry business should adapt to succeed.

Another important session was the special reforms made post inclusion of GST which explained the merits and demerits of the composi on scheme.

Automa on & digi sa on of laundry & dry cleaning, wastewater treatment in tex le care industry, best linen care prac ces in India and beyond, ways to elevate customer experience, among others were the burning topics of highlevel panel discussions. A thorough analysis of factors challenging the growth of dry cleaning and laundry service market were presented by industry stalwarts. The a endees were educated on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour through accurate predic ons put forth by tex le care experts during the event.

The forum is one of the biggest insigh ul knowledge and product presenta ons pla orm a rac ng stakeholders of the en re cross-sec on of tex le care industry. The one-day event was held in parallel with Laundrex India Expo 2020 at Bombay Exhibi on and Conven on Centre, Mumbai.The laundry and drycleaning industry is moving fast towards digitalisa on with int roduc on of innova ve machineries and adop on of advanced technologies such as AI and IoT. These smart technologies are ac ng as catalysts in driving growth of the industry, by simplifying customer experience and ensuring fast service. According to Technavio research report, global drycleaning and laundry services market is expected to grow by USD 13.75 billion, at a CAGR of more than 4% from 2019-2023.

Texcare Forum India is a sister event of Texcare Interna onal, the world market for modern tex le care. Every four years, Texcare Interna onal provides an interna onal venue for the tex le-care sector in Frankfurt, Germany. The upcoming Texcare Interna onal will be held from 20 – 24 June 2020.

News Buzz

India Pharma 2020 And India Medical Device 2020 Focuses On On Changing Regulatory Scenarios

T

he 5th edi on of India Pharma 2020 and India Medical Device 2020 organized by FICCI in collabora on with the Department of Pharmaceu cals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fer lizers, Government of India had over 1,200 delegates and visitors from all over India.

This year to give a boost to innova on and to showcase the growing start-up ecosystem in healthcare, FICCI organized an exclusive Med-Tech Innovators' Session to foster conversa on and collabora ons between emerging innovators in the medical devices space with private equity investors and healthcare providers to support their growth.

The Department of Pharmaceu cals also announced the launch of Pharma Bureau a body of technical experts, which will act as a single-point interface for the pharmaceu cal and medical devices industry for issues rela ng to the Government of India and various State Governments. The Bureau will coordinate with different ministries of the Central Government as well as the State Governments for providing solu ons to the Industry in a me bound manner. In partnership with Invest India, the Bureau will also help facilitate both foreign as

well as domes c investment in the Pharmaceu cal and Medical devices industry in India.

The bureau will also act as a policy think tank to support the Government as well as the Industry. This year, the event was held at Ahmedabad from March 5 – 7, 2020. The event theme focused on “Clarity on Changing Regulatory Scenarios. The three-day event organized with an objec ve to have an integra ve system of healthcare and wellness for the world. In addi on to this objec ve, various plenary sessions were organized on the vision for the pharmaceu cal industry; Ecosystem for R&D, Innova on & Start Ups in the Pharma Sector; Regulatory meet with pharmaceu cals & medical device industry; Affordability, accessibility and availability of quality drugs & medical devices; Emerging trends in healthcare; a Panel discussion on Innovate to Make in India for the world; amongst others.

In the plenary session, Drug Regulatory Meet with Pharmaceu cal & Medical Device Industry the panellists spoke about the way forward on industry issues related to regulatory prac ces restric ng

import / export between countries and also problems faced by the industry with various state drug regulators. The panel further spoke about the ways to increase coopera on and uniformity amongst the Indian state drug regulatory system.

During the joint session on Affordability, Accessibility and Availability of Quality Drugs & Medical Devices, the panelists spoke about the increasing need to acknowledge how innova on can deliver pa ent outcomes through new technologies and treatments; it can bring more efficient ways to organise and manage care; and how innova on can find avenues to extend care to the bo om of the pyramid.

The panelists further spoke about the importance to understand how a predictable pricing mechanism by ra onalizing trade margin for medical devices from first point of sale will ensure affordability and quality care with con nued innova on across all segments of popula on including AB-PMJAY. Pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) won the coveted India Pharma Leader Award at the India Pharma 2020 and India Medical Device 2020 conference

21| March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Exhibitions | Events | Retail | Signage | Museums | Experience Centers | Digital Content & Films

www.litmusmeroform.com Contact sanika@meroformindia.com maniayush@meroformindia.com

News Buzz

26th Edi on Of Medical Fair India Inaugurated In Mumbai; Corona Discussed Addi onally, the future for Health (FTR4H) conference with its 4th edi on this year at Medical Fair India focused on how Digital Transforma on reconstructs Healthcare

M

umbai, March 05, 2020: Corona Virus got a men oned at the 26th edi on of three day Medical Fair India 2020 which was inaugurated today at Bombay Conven on and Exhibi on Centre in Mumbai. Poin ng out that a er Corona Virus the world is now looking at India as the source of supply chain, Mr Rajiv Nath, Founder & Forum Coordinator, Associa on of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED), said, "In every dark cloud here is a silver lining. So we have definitely lot of you driving race for last few weeks about corona virus and about the disrup ons to supply chain all over the world of medical device industry to importers to healthcare providers of sourcing products.

The silver lining is that world is now watching at India as a possible second source of supply a er China. Definitely a lot of opportunity here." Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General, Associa on of Healthcare Providers (India), said, "We have issued advisory through our hospitals that it is spread through the droplets. If you are careful of droplets and avoid touching your face and maintain

hygiene then there is no need to panic." It is India’s prominent exhibi on and conference for healthcare, which acts as a pla orm where connec ons are made and business rela onships are nurtured. A part of the "MEDICAlliance" family of trade fairs, it is organised by Messe Düsseldorf India in coopera on with MEDICA. The conference covered topics on InVitro Diagnos c, Laboratory medicine, Point of Care Tes ng, Molecular Medical Diagnos cs and Clinical Chemistry. Talking about the scope for healthcare industry, Dr Gyani, said, "Although there is slowdown all over the world, but I must tell people here that we have 1.6 million beds and we need 3.5 million beds in next three years. This means there is so much scope in for investment in healthcare industry including equipment.

In next five years, the necessity would be 5 million bed. This is the huge market that India is offering. Kind of requirement which has been projec ng from Government of India is to set up 3000

hospitals of 100 beds in er II and er III ci es, which is huge opportunity for the industry. It is being held in the backdrop when Indian healthcare industry has witnessed a remarkable growth over the last two decades. The foreign investments have made the medical devices market a fast moving sector contribu ng to the GDP.

23 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

News Buzz The Indian healthcare sector is diversifying and opportuni es are emerging in every segment. Together with MEDICAlliance and in associa on with Associa on of Healthcare Providers, India (AHPI), Associa on of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AIMED), Associa on of Diagnos c Manufacturers of India (ADMI), Quality & Accredita on Ins tute (QAI), Prac cing Pathologists Society and The Associa on of Prac cing Pathologists (APP), this edi on promises to bring together all the stakeholders from all facets of Medical and Healthcare Industry.

'MAKE IN INDIA’ Pavilion formed by AIMED at Medical Fair India 2020 has always been a centre of a rac on at MFI exhibi on. In 2020, this is the 4th consecu ve year for ‘Make in India’ pavilion with a bigger representa on.

“Medical Fair India is well known for its ability to detect trends and respond to new innova ons. Therefore, each edi on is unique as it explores new sub-segments

24 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

and opportuni es for diversifica on” said Thomas Schli , Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf India. In addi on to the exhibi on, CLIN LAB INDIA hosted its 4thconference to promote the recent developments and market trends in the IVD sector.

Addi onally, the future for Health (FTR4H) conference with its 4thedi on this year at Medical Fair India focused on how Digital Transforma on reconstructs Healthcare.

NASSCOM – Center of Excellence – IoT & AI joins this year as its Digital Transforma on Partner and jointly with FTR4H will organize the Startup Awards.

This year a rac on include par cipa on from Startups to showcase their solu on in the Healthcare domain.

The VOH 5th Interna onal Healthcare Conference at Medical Fair India is an important date on the na onal healthcare calendar. This year, the theme is ‘SYNERGY, IDEA, COLLABORATION: UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF INDIAN

HEALTHCARE’. The overarching objec ve is to mobilize key stakeholders from both public and private sectors – along with their strengths and innova ons – on a common pla orm that can highlight bestways forward for everyone who holds a stake in the space. rehaindia, powered by REHACARE will con nue to feature alongside Medical Fair India.

This segment will be dedicated to the rehabilita on sector in India. The threeday event will a ract all the categories of stakeholders in this segment. “This segment of the market is increasingly moving to the foreground as medical care is constantly improving, prosperity is rising and life expectancy is extending as a result of this. This is why we are now also bringing our know-how acquired by REHACARE, the leading interna onal trade fair for care and rehabilita on, to bear in India to mark the anniversary of MEDICAL FAIR INDIA.

Reshma

Deepak Sakpal

9820237631

9820287631

News Buzz

World Produc vity Congress Comes Back To India A er 45 Years

A

er a successful India edi on in 1974, the World Produc vity Congress is now being organised once again in India alongside World of Manufacturing, an interna onal trade fair for Factory Automa on, Digital Factory and Warehousing in Bangalore from 7 – 8 May 2020 at the Bangalore Interna onal Exhibi on Centre, Bangalore. The 19th World Produc vity Congress is organised by the World Confedera on of Produc vity Science and PDA Trade Fairs Pvt Ltd. This 19th World Produc vity Congress will bring together industry and academia from India and abroad as well as representa ves from the United Na ons Industrial Development Organisa on. It will provide a pla orm for exploring economic and produc vity development in India, and for ongoing interna onal

communica on and coopera on. In addi on to the Congress and the Trade Fair, there will be a display of adjudicated student posters with awards given for the best posters. The World Produc vity Congress is the premier global conven on dealing with produc vity development. It is organized on a partnership basis between the World Confedera on of Produc vity Science and a host organiza on which is normally a Network Partner of the WCPS. Though each Congress has a par cular theme, and specific sub-themes or tracks around which the program is structured, the Congress is industry-neutral. Similarly, though a par cular Congress may – for obvious reasons connected with its geographic loca on – include par cular elements rela ng to a par cular region or na on, the Congress is essen ally

geographically-neutral. Themed as Industry 4.0 - Innova on and Produc vity Industry 4.0 (I-4.0) represents the Fourth Industrial Revolu on.

The first three industrial revolu ons were based on Steam, Electricity, and Digital Technologies. The fourth is based on “cyber-physical systems” that merge the capabili es of humans and machines. I4.0 uses innova ons based on ar ficial intelligence, IoT, and connec vity in industry, advanced manufacturing and the service sectors to increase produc vity in a sustainable manner Mike Dillon, Chairman of WCPS, has been in India as part of the planning for the World Produc vity Congress in Bangalore.

During his visit he met the deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka to discuss the legacy that the Congress could leave for the State.

Messe Frankfurt India Postpones Co-locatedPaperworld India, Corporate Gi s Show, Interior Lifestyle India and Interior Lifestyle India presented by Ambiente India to 21 – 23 January 2021

I

n view of the intensifying spread of Covid-19 across the globe and the precau onary travel restric ons put in place by the Indian Government, Messe Frankfurt India together with Gi s & Accessories, the Exhibi on Division of Netlink Solu ons (India) Ltd have decided to postpone the four co-located fairs – Paperworld India, Corporate Gi s Show, Interior Lifestyle India and Interior Lifestyle India presented by Ambiente India, slated for March 2020.

Having received a defini ve industry feedback in support of this decision, the co-located fairs will now take place from 21 – 23 January 2021 at the Bombay Exhibi on Centre in Mumbai.

Given the escala ng situa on with regard to the spread of Covid-19, the Indian Government has taken strong steps on

visa restric ons of foreign na onals. With a large interna onal con ngent from China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, UAE, Taiwan and Thailand slated to par cipate at the upcoming co-located fairs in March, the ongoing consulta ons with the industry demanded a new analysis of the situa on, close to the opening dates of the fair.

As per the travel advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry, the precau onary travel restric ons have ghtened the entry condi ons, making it impossible for large parts of the interna onal exhibitors and visitors to par cipate and a end the fairs for regular business.

Messe Frankfurt's decision of postponement of the fairs has, therefore, received a swi , unanimous and defini ve support from exhibitors as well as industry

associa ons suppor ng Paperworld India, Corporate Gi s Show, Interior Lifestyle India and Interior Lifestyle India presented

by Ambiente India.

“The current situa on represents a major challenge for the MICE industry over the world. We have been in constant dialogue with industry players and keeping the interests of our valued exhibitors foremost, we felt it was impera ve to take this decision at this point in me.” says Mr Raj Manek, Execu ve Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd. “We remain commi ed to delivering highquality pla orms for networking, and look forward to delivering a great show next year.” added Mr MineshModi, Director, Netlink Solu ons (India) Ltd.

25 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

News Buzz

PM Modi Addresses The Na on On COVID-19 the common area of your society) from 7am to 9pm. Let us show remarkable restraint.

that as Navratri fes val of Shak is coming in a few days, India should move ahead with full force. I am making 9 requests for these 9 days. Ÿ

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the na on on novel coronavirus comes at a me when the disease has claimed four lives in India and has infected over 180 people across the country.

While India has implemented steep measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, (Covid-19) PM Modi has urged the public to remain calm and prac ce all direc ves being issued by the government, including social distancing and good hygiene. PM Modi further said

Ÿ

Do not be complacent about Covid19. Do not get swayed by numbers. Unless we are really careful it will go up.. I need the next few weeks of your me, coopera on, and discipline.

Do not treat social distancing lightly.

Please do not step out. Stepping out not only risks you, you are also pu ng pressure on the system. There are people who need to be out, so don’t make it worse for them also.

Ÿ

People over 65 at no cost to step out of their homes.

Ÿ

On March 22, Sunday, please follow a self imposed Janta curfew. Please do not step out of your house (even to

Ÿ

At 5 pm on that day pls clap from your windows and appreciate people who have been working relentlessly during tough mes (like medical care professionals, services, delivery etc)

Ÿ

Do not hoard, we will ensure necessi es are in place like food and water.

Ÿ

Do not cut salaries of people missing work due to outbreak.

Ÿ

Do not worry about funding and economy for now. Let’s first fight health crisis. We are se ng up task forces to bring economy back in place – (economic response taskforce)

Ÿ

Priority is now Corona fight. Humanity has to win. Nothing else.

Health Safety Alert: LMIFW Postponed extends its concern to the people affected by the COVID-19 and as a leading fashion body is taking stock of the situa on on real- me basis, it awaits further direc ves from the Government.

T

he Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week in associa on with EbixCash AutumnWinter 2020, by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), which was to take place from March 11-15, 2020, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi stands postponed.

The Fashion Design Council of India

26 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

The effort is to safeguard the wellbeing of the fraternity and the invited guests for the upcoming LMIFW, by not having them become a part of crowded spaces, being one of the immediate public advisory issued by the health experts. Conduc ng the event under such circumstances will not benefit any stakeholder.

“I would like to reiterate that the LMIFW had to be postponed keeping the safety of thousands of people, who were involved and not just guests but also team

members, buyers, and partners in mind.

Due to the growing incidents reported globally, it would only be prudent to keep an event of this magnitude on hold. I would like to thank our tle partner Lotus Make-up, associate partner EbixCash and the FDCI Board for sugges ng and suppor ng this decision.

Needless to say, our other partners, Suthol, Technogym, Pearl Academy, Chivas Music CDs, 6 Degree, Elle, Icons, Te-ame Teas, Raw Pressery, Toni & Guy and Vivanta, are all in agreement with this move. Even our logis c suppliers, vendors and talent teams have supported us with this. Once again we thank you all for your constant support to the Council and hope to con nue to celebrate Indian fashion in the coming months,” said Sunil Sethi, Chairman FDCI.

News Buzz

Vasai Industrial Expo 2020 Postponed A er Maharashtra Govt. Bans ‘Public Gathering’

W

ith the World Health Organiza on (WHO) officially terming COVID-19 disease a pandemic, it called for a reassessment of the situa on in accordance with advisories issued by the public health authori es.

As per the travel advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry, the Indian Government has temporarily suspended visas and ghtened entry condi ons for foreign na onals. Moreover, as per a statement issued by Maharashtra Health Minister Shri Rajesh Tope, no permission

will be granted for public gatherings in the state of Maharashtra.

Despite the best efforts to ensure a bigger and even be er 5th edi on of Vasai Industrial Expo 2020, the Organiser and Partnering Associa ons are bound to reschedule the event which was to be held from 20-22 March 2020.

“Construc on work for the event which had started on 14th March at Appa Ground in Vasai (E) have been stopped as the concerned authori es i.e. Police, Municipal Corpora on and Collectorate have denied the permission to hold the 2020 edi on of Vasai Industrial Expo.”

Said Padma Mishra, Group Director – EXHICON Group.

The Maharashtra Government also invoked Epidemic Diseases Act of 1987 in

the state, as a result public gatherings in any form is disallowed ll further no ce, and hence the very objec ve of the event gets completely defeated. “The new dates of the event shall be announced soon a er consulta ons and mutual consent of all stakeholders i.e. Exhibitors, Sponsors and Suppor ng Partners - Govalis, VIA, LACMA, NSIC and the Organiser. We seek the con nued patronage and support of our exhibitors like all previous edi ons.” added Mr. Prashant Margaj, Project Head – at EXHICON Group.

New dates will be announced on 2nd April 2020 since the government has banned all gatherings ll 31st March 2020. We need to wait to see if the ban is extended, if not then the show should happen in April 2020.

Female And Under-Represented Voices Dominate The Windham Campbell Prizes 2020

2

020’s powerful, female-dominated line-up of Windham-Campbell Prize recipients unites a rich, interna onal collec on of writers whose challenging work explores pressing poli cal and social themes across iden ty, culture and power.

Now in their eighth year, the Prizes celebrate writers at every stage of their careers.

In poetry, the Bri sh-Indian poet Bhanu Kapil has been recognised, known for exploring crucial ques ons of trauma, healing and immigra on,and the incredible Jonah Mixon-Webster and his unflinching poetry tackling the public health crisis in his hometown of Flint, Michigan. For drama, Julia Cho is the winner. She is the incredible talent behind The Aubergine, Aleshea Harris, whose unflinching works confront the wounds of misogyny and racism. The prizes for fic on have gone to the prolific Chinese-

born author of The Vagrants, Yiyun Li and Zambian author Namwali Serpell who explores themes of iden ty and belonging.

And in nonfic on, Australian writer Maria Tumarkin has been awarded, whose works explore the lives of ordinary people with extraordinarily painful pasts, and Anne Boyer, author of the searingly honest explora on of cancer The Undying.

Mike Kelleher, Director of the WindhamCampbell Prizes said about this year’s recipients, “This is such an exci ng group of prize recipients—so many u erly original voices from so many different places. Their work digs deeply into everything from the poisoned water crisis in present-day Flint, Michigan to the vicissitudes of the surveillance state in an Afro-Futurist Zambia.

To read the work of these eight

writers—seven of them women—is simply overwhelming.” In 2020 the Windham-Campbell Prizes celebrate eight winners in four categories, each of whom will receive $165,000 USD. The Prizes were the brainchild of lifelong partners Donald Windham and Sandy M. Campbell.The couple were deeply involved in literary circles, collected books avidly and read voraciously. They also penned various works, such as novels, plays and short stories, amongst others.

For years they had discussed the idea of crea ng an award to highlight literary achievement and provide writers with the opportunity to focus on their work independent of financial concerns.When Campbell passed away unexpectedly in 1988, Windham took on the responsibility for making this shared dream a reality.

The first prizes were announced in 2013.

27 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Glimpses of

EEA 2019

Exclusive Interview ES. Please tell us about your experience while working with Messe Frankfurt, Reed Exhibi ons and UBM, the world’s largest trade companies. What were your responsibili es and what did you learn while working with them. Can you share some points?

Tesi Baur. I started my career at Messe Frankfurt in the new media and online department at a me when the internet was very new.

We specified and executed great projects and Messe Frankfurt was ahead of its me using the internet as a pla orm to create visibility for exhibitors. I then con nued this work at Reed Exhibi ons; first in the Düsseldorf office as Director New Media for Germany and Switzerland and from 2006 onwards as global eBusiness Director for Reed Exhibi ons in London. In 2009 I started to change my career and became Business Development Director with a focus on China. In 2012 I le Reed and became the Global Por olio Director at UBM, leading the company’s Food Ingredients por olio with shows all over the world including India, China, Thailand and Indonesia.

ES. What made you focus on Asia? What prospects do you see in Asia?

Tesi Baur. Asia is a great con nent. I truly can say that I have learned a lot from my Asian friends. Asia is the con nent of opportuni es. Whilst we in Europe like to plan, the Asian prac ce of jumping on a business opportunity is remarkable.

Pu ng both cultures together is very powerful. We always get the best results if we put the best of each region together.

ES. What made you decide to become a Lecturer at the University DHBW of Ravensburg, Germany in business development and interna onal project management?

Tesi Baur. To be appointed as a lecturer at the University of Ravensburg was one of my first engagements when I started my consul ng business in 2015. I love to work with students and I have been a mentor to many students in their final year since then. It is great to see how the next genera on of exhibi on managers is working hard; gathering skills and experience.

Educa on is now an important part of MBB-Consul ng. We just launched the brand MBB-Tradeshow educa on offering more than ten educa on and training courses for the industry.

ES. How do you manage running your own consultancy MBBMedia, being a lecturer at the University DHBW of Ravensburg and the Chairman of the Digital Innova on Commi ee, UFI?

30 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Exhibi on Showcase Talks To Ma hias Tesi Baur Director, MBB Media Group

Tesi Baur. I lecture in Ravensburg approx. 1.5 weeks per year. The consul ng business of MBB-Consul ng takes up much more room.

We mainly run consul ng projects for companies such as Informa, Deutsche Messe etc. Our consul ng topics are Strategy, Due Diligence, Sales & Rebooking and Digital.

ES. You have founded the World Gourmet Society in 2010 – the world’s largest group of food enthusiasts on LinkedIn. Please tell us more about this and how did you get this idea?

Tesi Baur. I had the idea to start the World Gourmet Society during my me at Reed Exhibi ons when I travelled a lot in Asia.

Discovering good restaurants became a hobby of mine and as I was e-business Director at Reed I first started a group on LinkedIn which quickly developed into the largest group for gourmets worldwide. Today the World Gourmet Society is a global club for foodies and we have many members in India as well. Sharing the love for good food in the fine dining and casual dining sector is the goal of WGS.

Exclusive Interview ES. How does the Educa on & Training Programme offered by MBB Consul ng Group help development of skilled workforce in our industry. What gaps does it fill?

Tesi Baur. We offer training programs for all seniority levels and for all disciplines such as sales, marke ng and opera ons. We have for example created new starter courses with the goal to provide our new colleagues an easier way to step into our industry. For mid-management we offer courses such as show strategy or digital strategies. For senior management we conduct courses such as sales strategies, company strategies and new show formats.

ES. With exis ng training and cer fica on programs offered by IAEE, UFI etc., how does your programme differ from the rest?

Tesi Baur. I also lecture in the UFI program. UFI offers a high quality program. I’m proud to be a part of it.

ES. As the Chairman of the Digital Innova on Commi ee, do you feel the exhibi on industry is ready to take advantage of AI? What according to you can be the key trends in the coming mes?

Tesi Baur. Our industry is never at the forefront when it comes to digital solu ons. Unfortunately other industries are quicker and more advanced when it comes to developing digital solu ons including AI. The goal of the UFI Digital Innova on Commi ee is to provide a pla orm for digital best prac ce cases and to push the development in this area. AI is more than a trend. AI is a game changer and we need solu ons that truly enhance our proposi on

to our customer. I can see some good examples but it is not enough to have good examples. We need to li up the overall industry standard when it comes to digital and AI. ES. How do you view the exhibi on industry in India and the prospects here?

Tesi Baur. India has great poten al. The size and the opportuni es are enormous. India has made a major step forward in providing high quality and customer centric shows.

ES. With the coronavirus outbreak threatening the func oning of our industry, what would be your comments on tackling this situa on through innova ve ways?

Tesi Baur. This crisis has hit us all by surprise. The Corona Virus will change the industry. As a first step it is important that companies put a strong crisis management framework in place that includes decision making processes, communica on and the analysis of the mid-term financial impact. We also have to take different scenarios into account as nobody knows how long this crisis will last. Once this framework is in place, we need to prepare for the post-crisis me to ensure we come out of this crisis as strong as possible or even stronger than before. It is important that shows carry a certain “wow” factor a er the crisis in terms of execu on, content and features to demonstrate that we have used the crisis to shape the USP of our industry. Also, companies need to invest in sales strategies and customer loyalty programs now. We consult in all these fields and we are happy to help wherever we can.

31 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Focus On Asia

TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibi on & Conference Cancelled Due To Covid-19

CPhI Japan To Be Postponed On Request Of Event A endees

UTECH, Media Fusion Bring Polyurethane Trade Show To Dubai In 2021

The Tax Free World Associa on (TFWA) has cancelled the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibi on & Conference due to the escala ng COVID-19 outbreak. The decision was made during a mee ng on 5 March held by the TFWA board and management commi ee. The TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibi on and Conference was scheduled to take place from 10-14 May at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Conven on Centre in Singapore. Last year's show a racted 3,367 visitors from the duty free and travel retail industry. The decision came following “widespread concern” from many of the show's exhibitors and delegates regarding the “significant nega ve impact” of the coronavirus outbreak on the travel retail sector.The Management Commi ee took into account the need to ensure as far as possible the health and safety of TFWA's customers, staff and all who a end the event; it also noted that certain key na onali es are currently subject to immigra on restric ons in Singapore, with further travel restric ons possible. TFWA President Alain Maingreaud said: “This is not a decision that we wanted to take, nor is it one the Board and Management Commi ee has taken lightly. However, we feel that cancelling the event is the best and most responsible course of ac on, given the health crisis that has spread throughout the world, and the huge impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on our market. “We trust that our customers and business partners, especially in Asia Pacific, will understand our decision and accept that it has been taken with the best interests of the industry, and those who serve it, in mind. We remain fully commi ed to our mission to provide the duty free & travel retail industry with a pla orm to prosper, and we will return to Asia Pacific in 2021 with renewed vigour and confidence in our industry's resilience and capacity for reinven on.”

CPhI Japan – organised by Informa Markets and UBM Japan – announces that the event will be postponed a er an extensive consulta on with key stakeholders and considera on of all alterna ves. The event, which was due to take place at the Big Sight Exhibi on Centre in Tokyo from 16 to18 March, will be rescheduled due to the increasingly complex travel arrangements many of its a endees are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. The decision was taken a er many of the event's largest stakeholders – interna onal exhibitors and major pharmaceu cal employees – reported that they would be unable to travel to the exhibi on at this me. “The event is now in its 18th edi on and we have always listened to the feedback of our exhibitors and a endees. Due to unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19, many felt that it will be difficult to travel to the exhibi on at this me. We will work with our a endees and exhibitors so that we can deliver another successful event for everyone involved. We wanted to communicate this as fast as possible, and we will confirm the new dates imminently. I thank our partners for their con nued support and understanding, and we express our solidarity with those affected around the world.” commented Christopher Eve, Managing Director Informa Markets and UBM Japan. Each year CPhI unites more than 100,000 pharmaceu cal professionals through exhibi ons, conferences and online communi es to network, iden fy business opportuni es and expand the global market.

Japan's pharma industry is the 2nd largest in Asia and the third-largest worldwide following the US and China. CPhIJapan has been the ideal pla orm to meet the biggest pharma companies to tap into this a rac ve market and source the latest technologies and innova ve products.

Crain Communica ons Inc, the organizer of the UTECH trade shows, is partnering with Media Fusion to launch the Middle East Foam & Polyurethane Expo, powered by UTECH. The exhibi on and conference will take place March 1-3, 2021, at the Dubai Interna onal Conven on & Exhibi on Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The show will be organized by Crain Communica ons Inc. of Detroit and Media Fusion of Dubai. This MEFPU Expo will be co-located with Sleep Expo Middle East, which is owned by Media Fusion. “This event is a great opportunity for our UTECH customers,” said Brennan Lafferty, vice president of the Crain Global Polymer Group. “ This show will focus on the polyurethane industry is the Middle East and Africa, which are two regions currently underserved but emerging rapidly. We are thrilled to collaborate with Media Fusion, an experienced trade show developer in this vital part of the world. Co-loca ng with Sleep Expo Middle East is ideal as the ma ress industry is a major end market for urethanes.”

“Media Fusion is delighted to partner with Crain Global Polymer Group on this new exhibi on,” TaherPatrawala, managing director of Media Fusion. “Crain specializes in organizing some of the industry's significant and largest trade shows including PU China, UTECH Asia, UTECH Las Americas and UTECH Europe. The polyurethane market in the Middle East and Africa is growing at a healthy pace and there are significant opportuni es in this area. We are confident that the players in the foam and polyurethane industry will be eager to showcase their solu ons at the only dedicated trade show in the region.” Show organizers expect visitors to MEFPU Expo from businesses in Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, countries in the Gulf Coopera on Council, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

32 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Associa on News

The Carpet Export Promo on Council organizes a SEMINAR on “The Awareness of GST & Discussion on Strategy for Enhancing Export Gupta COA Member CEPC, Sh. Bodh Raj Malhotra COA CEPC, Sh. R. D. Sharma, President Agra Floor Covering Associa on & Sh. Muktesh Pathank, HPO, Handicra Service Center Agra graced the occasion by their presence.

T

he Carpet Export Promo on Council organized a SEMINAR on “The Awareness of GST & Discussion on Strategy for Enhancing Export” at Agra on 28th February, 2020 under the aegis of O/o The Development Commissioner (H), Ministry of Tex les, Govt. of India. The Seminar was inaugurated by Shri Siddh Nath Singh Chairman CEPC. Other dis nguished guest Sh. Umesh Kumar

Shri Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman, CEPC extended warm welcome to all dis nguished guest; ar sans & exporters who were presented in the Seminar. Shri Siddh Nath Singh in his address men oned that the Council is commi ed to resolve all the problems of the Ar sans & Exporters.

Sh. Muktesh Pathank Handicra Professional Officer from Handicra Service center Agra O/o Development

Commissioner (Handicra s) apprised about the various schemes of O/o Development Commissioner (Handicra s), Ministry of Tex les Govt of India.

Council invited the Professional Experts on “GST” & “Strategy for Enhancing Export” to li up the Ar sans & Exporters in present trade scenario. Study Material on said topic also circulated between Ar sans / Exporters.

Sh. Sanjay Kumar, Execu ve Director CEPC men oned that ar sans are the backbone of the handmade carpet industry and Carpet Export Promo on Council is con nually working to nourish the skills of Ar sans by conducing training programmes, Seminars & workshops.

AIR CARGO INDIA 2020 Closes On A High Note

A

IR CARGO INDIA 2020 - Air Freight Industry's passage to progression Hosted in the Grand Hya Hotel in Mumbai organized by Messe Muenchen India, AIR CARGOINDIA closed the 2020 edi on on a high note. The trade show experienced considerable growth in the number of visitors in the 2020 edi on with a foo all of 2,700+ visitors. With established players such as Brussels Airport, GMR Cargo (Del Hyd), Spice Jet and Turkish Cargo par cipa ng in the show; AIR CARGO INDIA rendered an ideal networking pla orm bringing in key players of the industry together.

Mr. Bhupinder Singh, CEO, Messe Muenchen India commented on the success of the 2020 edi on, “The global air freight industry is gaining momentum in light of new government policies and ini a ves. The 2020 edi on of AIR CARGO INDIA set a befi ng stage for industry players to access the market and share latest insights on the industry.”

The show was inaugurated by Ms. Vandana Aggarwal, Economic Advisor,

Ministry of Civil Avia on and Mr. Sunil Arora, President, ACCAI. AIR CARGO INDIA 2020 conducted a series of panel discussions that provided an outlet to share insights on the industry. The event saw par cipa on of more than 65 panel members. The discussions involved subjects like state of digitaliza on in the air cargo industry, quality and compliance of perishable goods transport by air, pharma supply chain, trade tension on air cargo and building resilience, India as promising air cargo export region, airports of the future for special cargo commodi es and air cargo for ecommerce and transporta on support for the digital world.

Responding to the Indian government policies that are facilita ng transport of perishables and temperature sensi ve products through air, panel discussions on respec ve topics gave members and the delegates an opportunity to bring forth the challenges and complica ons pertaining to such shipments. Shippers,

handlers, airlines and airports, under one forum, effec vely discussed problems related to packaging, costs, lack of transparency and trust and inadequate digital infrastructure.

Air Cargo India 2020 has outdone itself with the rich content, extensive networking opportuni es and enjoyable social events. We look forward to par cipate in the next edi on.” concludes Jaisey Yip, General Manager, Cargo & Logis cs Development, Changi Airport Group a er three days in Mumbai. The next edi on of AIR CARGO INDIA will be held in 2022

33 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Associa on News

African U lity Week And POWERGEN Africa Rescheduled To November

F

ollowing the South African Government's announcement of a na onal state of disaster and subsequent ban on public gatherings of over 100 people, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Clarion Events Africa (formerly Spintelligent) is rescheduling African U lity Week and POWERGEN Africa. The event, which was due to take place from 12-14 May, will now run from 24 - 26 November 2020. The venue - CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa – remains unchanged.

African U lity Week and POWERGEN Africa a racts over 10,000 people from more than 90 countries and is the largest energy show in Africa.

2020 marks its 20th anniversary. “The health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors, employees and the wider public is of paramount importance to us,” said managing director David Ashdown, adding "following the Government's announcement, we have worked with industry to reschedule African U lity Week and POWERGEN Africa to November, in order to minimise poten al health risks to those connected to the event."

“It is expected that the current challenges presented by the Coronavirus will slow down significantly within the next few months," he explains, "which means the new November date for African U lity Week and POWERGEN Africa will allow us to deliver the most meaningful event in terms of maximising ROI for our exhibitors

and excellent content and experiences for our visitors.

“The power sector in South Africa is facing incredibly challenging mes. By commi ng to running the event this year, Clarion Events Africa can con nue to drive energy security on the con nent, support the local industry and provide businesscri cal market opportuni es to support our exhibitors' future prosperity.” A spokesperson for South Africa's na onal power u lity, Eskom, said: “Eskom recognises the role that this event plays in addressing the challenges facing the provision of electricity on the con nent.

We recognise that COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges and are glad that a solu on has been found to allow the event to con nue this year. We look forward to welcoming energy stakeholders from around the world to Cape Town in November 2020.” Eskom is also the host u lity of African U lity Week and POWERGEN Africa.

MyCEB Announces The Cancella on Of Its Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign

F

ollowing the announcement made by YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Malaysia on 18 March 2020 on the cancela on of Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) campaign due to the COVID-19 outbreak with immediate effect, Malaysia Conven on & Exhibi on Bureau (MyCEB) is taking the necessary ac on to abide by the government decision. Due to the

34 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Movement Control Order from 18 March 2020 to 31 March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19, the ministry had to freeze many tourism-related services, she said in a statement. “I urge the public to comply with social distancing as long as this Movement Control Order comes into force and receives informa on from legi mate sources. Let us pray that the well-being of this beloved na on can be restored as soon as possible,” stated YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri.

The measures taken, she added, was in line with the policy adapted by the Na onal Security Council (NSC) and the Prime Minister's Department on the Movement Control Order. Therefore, MyCEB would like to inform all industry

partners to relook at all our marke ng campaign and gradually remove VM2020 logo in all marke ng collaterals and promo onal items and replace it with Malaysia Truly Asia logo. MyCEB would also like to encourage all industry partners to take advantage of the s mulus package offered by the Government to our industry in this trying situa on.

“Let's together pray for the COVID-19 situa on to subside soon, and in the mean me, I would like to urge all industry players to adhere to MOTAC and MOH guidelines and procedures in curbing the virus from further spreading. We shall remain strong and begin to relook at our next strategy in making Malaysia a preferred business event des na on as soon as the industry rebound,” expressed Dato' Sri Abdul Khani, Chief Execu ve Officer of MyCEB.

Global News

UFI And SISO Launch Global Campaign To Support The Exhibi ons And Events Industry “This Show is open” / “This Expo is open” campaign made available to exhibi on organisers around the world Campaign highlights the cri cal role exhibi ons and events play in mes of crisis Both associa ons pledge to make campaign available to mee ng industry associa ons serving other types of events

P

aris based UFI, the Global Associa on of the Exhibi on Industry, and Atlanta based SISO, The Society of Independent Show Organizers, today launch a new campaign, called “This Show Is Open”. It supports exhibi on and event organisers around the world as they put the industry’s full experience to the task of keeping events going wherever possible, in line with the guidance of health authori es and the interests of their customers.

The campaign launches as the global outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus is challenging socie es around the world. As health systems and governments deal with the outbreak, exhibi ons and events around the world are being postponed or cancelled where deemed necessary. At the same me, exhibi ons and events are one of the core elements to both keep industries and economies going – they are both among the most responsive and resilient economical tools.

“Exhibi ons and events are essen al to millions of businesses around the world.

They exist to provide pla orms for people and industries to meet, to trade, and to collaborate. Small and medium businesses in all industries in par cular depend on exhibi ons. And, like all types

36 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

of events, they support the economy worldwide“, says Mary Larkin, UFI President.

“Exhibi ons and events are especially important in mes of disrup on. We stand to fulfil our obliga on to maintain opportuni es for people to meet wherever possible. As part of the exhibi ons industry, we are commi ed to keep our exhibi ons and events going around the world wherever we can do so“, says Greg Topalian, SISO Chair.

The “This Show is Open” campaign consists of material that UFI and SISO are making available to their respec ve memberships – covering all the global leading companies in exhibi on management as well as regional and na onal heavyweights. They can add the visuals and text material to their ongoing communica ons around upcoming exhibi ons – highligh ng the fact that, while numerous exhibi ons around the world are being postponed or cancelled due to COVID19, many shows are taking place successfully around the world.

“We have one simple message here”, say Kai Ha endorf, UFI CEO and David Audrain, SISO ED. “As an industry, we strive to make it possible for every

company to come to the show floor, to seek to meet with industry peers, to drive the exchange about how and to what degree their respec ve industries are impacted by COVID-19, and to secure the successful future for their business.“ Industry leaders are welcoming the campaign: “I have been a strong supporter of this campaign ever since I heard of it. At Tarsus Group, we will use the material provided to help get the word out loud and clear that our industry is open and resilient”, says Douglas Emslie, CEO of London based global organizer Tarsus Group. Both UFI and SISO are as well invi ng other associa ons serving the wider mee ngs industry to join the campaign, to help to grow awareness.

“As the current president of the Joint Mee ngs Industry Council, I will invite all the member associa ons of this global framework to join this campaign. We will also be happy to offer other networks like the ‘Events Industry Council’ to share the campaign – this issue is one that calls for the whole mee ngs industry to come together and collaborate”, says Kai Ha endorf.

Global News

New itb.com Pla orm Launched: Networking, Industry News And The ITB Virtual Conven on

D

espite the cancella on ofITB Berlinthis year, ITB is offering digital services 365 days a year by launching itb.com (www.bit.ly/2IkpHrB). The World's Leading Travel Trade Show is establishing a completely new networking pla orm for the world's travel industry.

This global website spans a bridge between real-life mee ngs and digital networking, and features innova ve tools for business, networking and exclusive content. itb.com is online now and open to everyone – An English-language 365day pla orm for networking and content – ITB Virtual Conven on from 5 to 11 March 2020 with more than 20 exclusive live streams and videos on demand. ”In these very difficult mes the tourism

industry needs ITB more than ever“, said Dr. Mar n Buck, Senior Vice President, Travel+Logis cs, Messe Berlin GmbH. That is why, at the forward-looking events of the ITB Virtual Conven on, leading speakers from ITB will be discussing how the world's travel industry can harness intelligent strategies to make sure it remains future-proof even in a challenging environment.

In the wake of the latest developments, discussions on how the industry can deal with the coronavirus will play a key role. Between 5 and 11 March 2020 viewers can follow more than 20 exclusive live streams and videos in English and German, some in real me, some me-shi ed, on itb.com.

A erwards, they will be made available as videos on demand.

The AI-based Travel Network is a selfteaching system which con nually offers users relevant travel industry contact informa on. All registered a endees at ITB Berlin 2020 may access the Travel Network, i.e. trade visitors, conven on par cipants, exhibitors and representa ves of the media who have

acquired a personalized cket from the ITB cket shop. Those who had not previously planned to visit the show in Berlin can also register now. Travel Network users can set up a profile, match interests, be contacted and can network.

They can also follow other users, exchange contact details, chat and set up appointments. 'Virtual rooms' are being made available online where users can hold mee ngs which they had scheduled prior to ITB Berlin 2020. A video link enables face-to-face mee ngs – it is also possible to communicate via an audio link only. ”By launching this new website we are establishing a key pla orm and travel network which has no parallel and which can be made use of in every market around the world. The aim is to ensure business, content and networking availability 365 days a year. We also want to provide easy access for newcomers to the industry. This underscores our yearround leading interna onal standing in terms of the market and opinions and consolidates the posi on of our USPs, contacts and content“, Dr. Mar n Buck added.

Global News

Africa Welcomes Its First Fer lity Show

2

020 will see the first dedicated fer lity show in the African con nent.

The Fer lity Show South African (FSA), will take place in Johannesburg on March 6 and March 7 at the Gallagher Conven on Centre and will bring to show a range of experts who will share their experience and knowledge.

The Show format has been designed to be interac ve whilst crea ng an ambient environment which encourages and fosters learning and sharing. For many, this will be the first me they have been

in a space where they can be open about an issue which was has historically been dogged by s gma. The unique event will feature a support zone and a live ques on and answer session, which will give a endees the opportunity to get all the fer lity ques ons answered by leading specialists and a panel of experts, without any fear or judgement. In a bid to create an amiable atmosphere, each session will begin and conclude with relaxa on techniques such as yoga, trauma releasing exercises, medita on and hypnotherapy.

Exhibitors range from doctors to clinicians and prac oners, top class fer lity clinics, advice groups, donor agencies, chari es, acupuncturists, reflexologists, diet, nutri onal and lifestyle advisors,

astrologers, yoga and massage therapists.

Says Saskia Williams, CEO of the Infer lity Awareness Associa on of South Africa: “On behalf of IFAASA, I would like to say how wonderful the event will be for the one in six couples going through infer lity in Southern Africa. The knowledge that the public will gain will be priceless. We have world class clinics who deserve to have the pla orm to educate and inform the general popula on, on a large scale, about their op ons when it comes to infer lity. Industry experts will also be able to network with their industry peers and colleagues and share knowledge and ideas, ul mately benefi ng the infer le pa ent.”

The show is supported by IFAASA (Infer lity Awareness Associa on of South Africa) and SASREG (South African Society for Reproduc ve Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy).

Official Statement From David DuBois President And CEO At IAEE

O

n behalf of the IAEE Board of Directors and Staff, we would like to extend our deepest concern and support for our members, friends, colleagues and customers impacted by the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) health emergency.

For decades, trade shows around the world have been instrumental to building brands, forging partnerships, providing educa on and so much more. We have been fortunate to see our industry flourish on a global scale. When a crisis such as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) occurs, the effects are felt by all of us in the industry.

IAEE con nues to monitor the

developments of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on exhibi ons and events.

We are gathering informa on as this crisis evolves in order to understand the extent of its impact and how we may be of service. We are also gathering resources as quickly as they become available to us, in an effort to help navigate the difficul es presented by these circumstances.

We understand the immense me and effort invested in organizing exhibi ons and events, and the burden placed on those whose trade shows are facing disrup ons and/or cancella ons due to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). IAEE extends its best wishes and con nued support as our industry endures this crisis together.

38 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Global News

DBS India Join Hands With Bhar AXA To Roll Out COVID-19 Insurance Cover recognise the importance of extending our support to customers during this cri cal me. In view of the evolving situa on with COVID- 19, the insurance scheme is designed to give our customers peace of mind if they seek medical treatment, knowing that they are protected.

T

o support its customers amidst COVID-19 pandemic, DBS Bank India has partnered with Bhar AXA to roll out a complimentary health insurance cover.

This will cover all medical condi ons, including COVID-19 and up to 10 days of hospitaliza on, with a cover of Rs 5000 per day, for a period of 30 days.

Priyashis Das, Execu ve Director and Head- Branch Banking and Wealth Management, DBS Bank India said, “We

We will con nue our endeavor to come together as a community in this me of need.” The bank said that it is conduc ng periodic mee ngs with its insurance partners to ensure seamless and end-toend online access to these facili es and improvisa on to the products.

All DBS customers can purchase health insurance products that are currently offered on the digibank app through their General Insurance partners. To ensure further safety of its customers, the bank

will be adding an an -microbial coa ng across all its ATMs and biometric devices.

DBS Bank India has also started an Emergency Global Medical Assist Program to provide 24x7 access to medical support. This includes guarantee of payments for hassle-free hospitalisa on and arrangement of emergency medical evacua on for NRIs with dependents in the country. Globally, DBS has enhanced community support measures for customers by offering complimentary COVID-19 insurance coverage.

For SMEs, DBS has rolled out digital ini a ves to enable companies in fast tracking their digital adop on and transac on fulfilment needs. Addi onal financial liquidity relief measures were also introduced to help Singapore SMEs and corporates address their urgent cashflow needs.

MACEOS Press Statement Of 18 March: Staying Vigilant Is Key To Figh ng COVID-19

T

he current Covid-19 outbreak has caused the business events sector in Malaysia to lose an es mated total loss of over RM1.5 billion to date. In just three months (between February and April 2020), a total of 47 business events were cancelled and another 62 being postponed na onwide. Business events represents the MICE industry which comprises mee ngs, incen ves, conferences and exhibi ons, both at local and interna onal level.

At this point of wri ng, the Government has just imposed the Restricted Movement Order (RMO) implemented

under the Preven on and Control of Infec ous Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967 from March 18 to 31, 2020. This will have to be complied with as part of the country’s efforts to contain the disease.

We urge all industry players to comply with the direc ves set up by the Government to help contain the outbreak of the disease, including calling off events involving a big number of par cipants.

It is s ll uncertain at this juncture what the situa on will be in the third or fourth quarters, but MACEOS will con nue to ac vely engage with the government and the various agencies to mi gate the economic impact of the outbreak to both our local industry players and the

economy as a whole.

During a tourism recovery ac on council called by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), MACEOS has proposed various ini a ves in addi on to the current 2020 Economic S mulus Package, to help the industry de over the tough mes. This includes the waiver of Sales & Services Tax for conven on centres and the waiver of company tax and personal income tax to ease the strain on cash flow.

A special task force dealing with Covid-19 has also been set up by MACEOS to tackle various issues affec ng the industry.

Meanwhile, the task force will con nue to hold regular online mee ngs with all Presidents of BE Trade Associa on in ASEAN region to discuss how best to mi gate the issues in the regional market.

39 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Global News

Coronavirus Could Cost 25 Million Jobs Across The Globe, Warns UN Watchdog

T

he Interna onal Labour Organisa on (ILO), in its report, said the economic and labour crisis created by the Corona Virus, COVID-19, the pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million. ILO, however, noted that if an interna onally coordinated policy response is put in place, as happened in the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, then the impact on global unemployment could be significantly much lower.

The labour organisa on in a preliminary report tled "COVID-19 and the World of Work: Impacts and Responses, called for urgent, large-scale and coordinated measures across three pillars: Protec ng workers in the workplace, S mula ng the economy and employment, Suppor ng jobs and incomes These measures include extending social protec on, suppor ng employment reten on, and financial and

40 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

tax relief, including for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, the report men oned. Based on different scenarios for the impact of coronavirus on global GDP growth, the ILO es mates indicate a rise in global unemployment of between 5.3 million ("low" scenario) and 24.7 million ("high" scenario) from a base level of 188 million in 2019.

consequences of the global financial crisis, and the worst was averted. We need that kind of leadership and resolve now. This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people," said ILO's DirectorGeneral Guy Ryder. Swi , coordinated policy responses: The way forward

By comparison, the 2008-2009 global financial crisis increased global unemployment by 22 million, according to the report. The report also men ons an increase in underemployment as the economic consequences of the virus outbreak may translate into reduc ons in working hours and wages.

ILO's report emphasised on social dialogue, engaging with workers and employers and their representa ves, is crucial for building public trust and support for the measures that the organisa ons need to overcome this crisis situa on. Also, the report said that the labour standards provide a tried-andtrusted founda on for policy responses that focus on a recovery that is sustainable and equitable. Every step needs to be taken to minimize the damage to people at this difficult me.

"This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people. In 2008, the world presented a united front to address the

Global News

Coronavirus Scare: Companies Get 45-Day Relaxa on For Filing March Quarter Earnings Markets regulator Sebi announced a one-month extension to companies for filingearnings for financial year 2019-20

E

asing compliance requirements amid coronavirus outbreak, regulator Securi es and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Thursday gave a 45-day relaxa on for companies to file their fourth quarter results as well as an addi onal one-month me to submit their annual results. Besides, the market watchdog has relaxed the me-gap required between two board mee ngs of a company. Companies have also been provided one-month relaxa on ll May 15 for filing their quarterly governance reports.

"Development arising due to the spread of the virus warrant the need for temporary relaxa on in compliance requirement of listed en es," Sebi said in a circular. With respect to quarterly financial results, companies have been given 45 days ll June 30, 2020 to file their March quarter results. Under the

rules, firms are required to file their financial results within 45 days from the end of a quarter. As per that me frame, the deadline is May 15.

In the case of submi ng results for the year ending March 31, the watchdog has extended the me ll June 30. Normally, listed companies are required to file their annual results within 60 days from the end of a financial year.

"The board of directors and the audit commi ee of the listed en ty are exempted from observing the s pulated me gap between two mee ngs for the mee ng held or proposed to be held between the period December 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020," Sebi said. However, the board of directors and audit commi ees would have to ensure that they meet at least four mes a year as s pulated under lis ng regula ons. As per

the norms, board of directors or audit commi ee need to meet at least four mes a year, with a maximum gap of 128 days between any two mee ngs. Among others, the deadline has been extended by three weeks ll May 15 for submission of quarterly shareholding pa ern and statement of investor complaint report.

In addi on, a relaxa on of one month has been given with regard to filing of halfyearly compliance cer ficate on share transfer facility and yearly secretarial compliance report. Companies can file compliance cer ficate on share transfer facility ll May 31 and secretarial compliance report by June 30. These decisions have been taken in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, which has also resulted in imposi on of certain restric ons, including those related to travel. The circular would be in force with immediate effect.

41 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Global News

CEIR Reports On Economic Impact Of COVID-19 to U.S. Exhibi on Industry

T

he Center for Exhibi on Industry Research (CEIR) released preliminary projec ons of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the U.S. businessto-business (B2B) exhibi on industry in the coming months. These calcula ons were derived from cancella ons reported to the organiza on by exhibi on and event organizers. “We have been closely monitoring the progress of COVID-19 in an cipa on of how it will impact our industry for weeks,” noted CEIR CEO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM. “Data collec on and analysis takes me and we are pleased to have enough informa on now to answer some of the ques ons we have been receiving.”

“This informa on is incredibly helpful for communica ng to federal legislators the economic impact of the B2B exhibi ons industry,” added 2020 Chairperson of the CEIR Board of Directors Carrie Ferenac.

“The informa on is being shared with industry associa ons who are advoca ng on the importance of trade shows to the U.S. economy, and the tremendous nega ve impact COVID-19 has had on organizer companies, venues and service providers, and to the people they employ.”

CEIR reports that there are about 9,400

42 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

B2B exhibi ons held in the U.S. annually.

The updated figure for the industry’s total impact on the U.S. GDP is $101 billion in 2019, up from $97 billion in 2018. As of 15 March 2020, 50 B2B events have announced their cancella ons. Notable events that have canceled include: Inspired Home Show by the Interna onal Housewares Associa on (over 800,000 net square feet [NSF]); HIMSS (Healthcare Informa on and Management Systems Society) Global Health Conference and Exhibi on (over 600,000 NSF); ASD (Affordable Shopping Des na on) Market Week (about 600,000 NSF); and Natural Products Expo West (nearly 600,000 NSF).

These 50 events amounted to a total loss of 5.2 million NSF and $318 million in show organizer revenue.

Taking into account direct spending of exhibitors and a endees, the loss to the economy stands at $1.8 billion. New cancella on announcements are appearing daily, which is likely to increase with the recommenda on made on 15 March 2020 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to cancel events that will a ract 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Readers should also

note that simply coun ng the announced cancella ons published in media reports significantly underes mates the actual number of cancella ons, since the cancella on of many small- to mediumsized events does not typically a ract media a en on. This is especially true for events held in hotels.

There are about 2,500 B2B events held between 1 March and 15 May each year.

CEIR believes that about 50% to 80% of those events have already canceled or will likely cancel in the coming weeks. Based on the cancella ons reported as of 15 March 2020, CEIR calculates this will result in a loss of 41 to 65 million NSF and $2.3 billion to $3.6 billion in show organizer revenue. Combined with direct spending by exhibitors and a endees, CEIR es mates the total loss to the economy to be $14 billion to $22 billion.

“At this point, the decline in the exhibi on industry is a one-off retrac on of the industry’s size,” said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consul ng Associates, Inc. “Since this is a transitory event, we expect a full recovery for the exhibi on industry in 2021.”

Global News

State Aid: Commission Approves €12 Million Danish Scheme To Compensate Damages Caused By Cancella ons Of Large Public Events Due To COVID-19 Outbreak

T

he European Commission has found a DKK 91 million (€12 million) Danish aid scheme to compensate organisers for the damage suffered due to the cancella on of large events with more than 1,000 par cipants due to the COVID19 outbreak to be in line with EU State aid rules.

This is the first and only State aid measure no fied by a Member State to the Commission in rela on to the COVID-19 outbreak so far. The Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules within 24 hours of receiving the no fica on from Denmark. The Commission stands ready to work with all Member States to ensure that possible na onal support measures to tackle the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus can be put in place in a mely manner, in line with EU rules. To this end, the Commission has established a dedicated contact point for Member States to provide them with guidance on possibili es under EU rules.

Execu ve Vice President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of compe on policy, said: “With the scheme, Denmark will

compensate the organisers of events cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak for the losses suffered. This is the first State aid measure no fied to us by a Member State in rela on to the COVID-19 outbreak. We stand ready to work with all Member States to ensure that possible na onal support measures to tackle the outbreak of the virus can be put in place as quickly and effec vely as possible, in line with EU rules.”

On 11 March 2020, Denmark no fied the Commission of its inten on to set up a DKK 91 million (€12 million) aid scheme to compensate organisers of events with more than 1,000 par cipants or targeted at designated risk groups, such as the elderly or vulnerable people, irrespec ve of the number of par cipants, which had to be cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the scheme, operators would be en tled to be compensated for the losses suffered as a consequence of the cancella ons or postponment the events, for which, for example, ckets were already sold.

under ar cle 107(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Func oning of the European Union (TFEU), which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures granted by Member States to compensate specific companies or specific sectors (in the form of schemes) for the damages directly caused by excep onal occurrences.

The Commission considers that the COVID-19 outbreak qualifies as an excep onal occurrence, as it is an extraordinary, unforeseeable event having a significant economic impact. As a result, excep onal interven ons by the Member States to compensate for the damages linked to the outbreak are jus fied.

The Commission found that the Danish aid scheme will compensate damages that are directly linked to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In this respect, the scheme will contribute to address the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 virus in Denmark. It also found that the measure is propor onate as the foreseen compensa on does not exceed what is necessary to make good the damage.

The Commission assessed the measure

43 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Global News The Commission therefore concluded that the scheme is in line with EU State aid rules as it will contribute to mi gate the nega ve consequences of COVID-19 for Danish businesses, without unduly distor ng compe on in the Internal Market.

Background Financial support from EU or na onal funds granted to health services or other public services to tackle the COVID-19 situa on falls outside the scope of State aid control. The same applies to any public financial support given directly to ci zens.

When State aid rules are applicable, Member States can design ample aid measures to support specific companies or sectors suffering from the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak in line with the exis ng EU State aid framework. In this respect, for example: Public support measures that are available

to all companies such as for example the extension of payment deadlines for corporate tax do not fall under State aid control, as they do not provide a selec ve advantage to specific companies vis-à-vis others in comparable situa ons. These measures can be implemented by Member States without the need of the Commission's approval under EU State aid rules.

EU State aid rules and more specifically the Rescue Aid and Restructuring Guidelines, which are based on ar cle 107(3)© TFEU, enable Member States to help companies cope with liquidity shortages and needing urgent rescue aid.

In this context, Member States can, for example, put in place dedicated support schemes for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including to cover their liquidity needs for a period of up to 18 months. Some Member States already have this type of schemes in place. For example, in February 2019, the

Commission approved a €400 million support scheme in Ireland to cover acute liquidity and rescue and restructuring needs of SMEs as a Brexit preparedness measure.

Ar cle 107(2)(b) TFEU enables Member States to compensate companies for the damages directly caused by natural disasters and excep onal occurrences.

In case of par cularly severe economic situa ons, such as the one currently faced

by Italy, EU State aid rules allow Member States to grant support to remedy a serious disturbance to their economy. This is foreseen under ar cle 107(3)(b) TFEU. The non-confiden al version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.56685 in the State aid register on the Commission's compe on website once any confiden ality issues have been resolved. New publica ons of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the State Aid Weekly e-News.

Co-located Paperworld India, Corporate Gi s Show, Interior Lifestyle India And Interior Lifestyle India Presented By Ambiente India Postponed To 21 – 23 January 2021

I

n view of the intensifying spread of Covid-19 across the globe and the precau onary travel restric ons put in place by the Indian Government, Messe Frankfurt India together with Gi s & Accessories, the Exhibi on Division of Netlink Solu ons (India) Ltd have decided to postpone the four co-located fairs – Paperworld India, Corporate Gi s Show, Interior Lifestyle India and Interior Lifestyle India presented by Ambiente India, slated for March 2020.

Having received a defini ve industry feedback in support of this decision, the co-located fairs will now take place from 21 – 23 January 2021 at the Bombay Exhibi on Centre in Mumbai. Given the escala ng situa on with regard to the spread of Covid-19, the Indian Government has taken strong steps on

44 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

visa restric ons of foreign na onals. With a large interna onal con ngent from China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, UAE, Taiwan and Thailand slated to par cipate at the upcoming co-located fairs in March, the ongoing consulta ons with the industry demanded a new analysis of the situa on, close to the opening dates of the fair. As per the travel advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry, the precau onary travel restric ons have ghtened the entry condi ons, making it impossible for large parts of the interna onal exhibitors and visitors to par cipate and a end the fairs for regular business.

Messe Frankfurt's decision of postponement of the fairs has, therefore, received a swi , unanimous and defini ve support from exhibitors as well as

industry associa ons suppor ng Paperworld India, Corporate Gi s Show, Interior Lifestyle India and Interior Lifestyle India presented by Ambiente India.

“The current situa on represents a major challenge for the MICE industry over the world. We have been in constant dialogue with industry players and keeping the interests of our valued exhibitors foremost, we felt it was impera ve to take this decision at this point in me.” says Mr Raj Manek, Execu ve Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd. “We remain commi ed to delivering high-quality pla orms for networking, and look forward to delivering a great show next year.” added Mr Minesh Modi, Director, Netlink Solu ons (India) Ltd.

Global News

Le er To The Chancellor Of The Exchequer On Behalf Of EIA Regarding COVID-19

W

e write on behalf of the Associa on of Event Organizers (AEO), Associa on of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Supplier and Services Associa on (ESSA), in rela on to the immediate and poten ally catastrophic business impacts our industry is facing with COVID-19.

Whilst the industry recognises public health should be at the forefront of any response, the lack of specific subsequent support for the events industry is concerning, and is likely to impact on the UK’s ability to recover post COVID-19.

To give some idea of the scale of the events industry in the UK, almost 1100 trade and consumer events take place annually, contribu ng £11bn to the UK economy via the par cipa on of 9.1 million visitors and 178,000 exhibitors, employing well over 100,000 people (20% being Interna onal).

In addi on, of the 84 AEO members, 23 alone organise over 1,000 overseas events from UK headquarters; bringing some £2.1bn turnover into the UK economy, and pu ng them in the Top 10 Service

Exporters.

Since COVID-19 was announced as a pandemic, the industry has come to a complete halt. Organisers, venues, suppliers, and their supply chains have immediate needs and there is a cash flow crisis. To give you some sense of the impact to the economy, holding no exhibi ons in April, May and June alone would cost the economy some £3bn. This is a conserva ve es mate and doesn’t include the onward impact to the supply chains of the markets that the events serve. Whilst the £330bn rescue plan announced yesterday is very welcome, we need specific help to support our businesses and our supply chain, and would like to: Confirma on all aspects of both the rescue plan, and the Government’s Corona Virus Support Package announced last week will apply to the events industry Consider a specific Event Industry Wide Aid package (in line with Danish State Aid Package) Business support extended around payment of NI, VAT, Loans, and other repayments for business and

individuals We are an industry that fuels travel, tourism, hotels, restaurants and bars. We ignite business in the markets served by the events we create, which has a knock-on effect on their supply chains across the UK and the World. Globally, in February un l mid March, the lost business for industries from cancelled events has been measured at £21bn by UFI, the Global Associa on of the Exhibi on Industry. These are orders that haven’t been signed, drying out the produc on of goods and services. For the UK as a global leading trading na on, this has a devas ng effect.

We are facing a poten ally fatal cashflow catastrophe but, with the right and mely Government support, we believe we may yet be able to make a hugely posi ve contribu on to the UK economy and exports. Our members would welcome a mee ng with you and your officials to provide more informa on and to elaborate on their challenges at this cri cal me. We would be available at your convenience.

45 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

Global News

Le er From IFES to the EU Commission Regarding The COVID-19 Virus

T

he reason why we are contac ng you today is the precau onary cancella on of trade fair events due to the risk assessment of the CoVid-19 virus for the popula on, which thusly affects trade fair exhibitors and visitors.

According to the Associa on of the German Trade Fair Industry – AUMA – (www.auma.de), 614 European trade fairs are planned for March and April. These range from smaller events to leading worldwide trade shows, such as Light + Building, Salone de Mobile, and the Geneva Motor Show. A large part of these trade shows have now been cancelled or postponed with no certainty if they’re going to take place in the year 2020.

If we only restrict ourselves to trade fairs with an interna onal presence, events with rented exhibi on space of around 3 million square meters have been cancelled. This means that European trade show construc on companies and their service providers have been deprived of a sales volume of around EUR 750 million for the next two months, based on the conserva ve figure of EUR 250 per square

46 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

meter for stand construc on expenses.

This figure only applies to the months of March and April. Since restric ons are also expected at least in May, the billion mark will probably be exceeded.

The trade fair construc on industry in Europe has a polypolis c structure, which means that there are no clear market leaders. Furthermore, the industry mainly consists of SMEs with sales well below EUR 10 million, rarely above EUR 50 million. If these companies are now confronted with sales losses of 15 to 25 % of their annual turnover – the months of March and April have always been the strongest months for trade fairs – this will lead to redundancies, and in the worst case to insolvencies. In other words, well over 1,000 companies/existences and tens of thousands of jobs are at risk.

In order to counter this danger of unemployment, we call on the European Union to provide unbureaucra c funding for trade fair service providers affected by the cancella on of trade fairs throughout Europe. The quality of European trade fairs must be ensured in the long term and

this is only possible with competent service providers.

At this point we would like to quote the current UFI President Mary Larkin who once again points out the importance of trade fairs for medium-sized companies: “The exhibi ons and events industry exists to provide pla orms for people and industries to meet, to trade, and to collaborate. These gatherings are especially important in mes of disrup on. It is our obliga on to maintain opportuni es for people to meet wherever possible. Small and medium businesses in all industries in-par cular depend on exhibi ons. And, like all types of events, they support the economy worldwide. We, as representa ves of the exhibi ons industry, are commi ed to providing these much-needed mee ng places around the world, wherever we can do so.”

Global News

PSAV® Announces Plans To Move To New Master Brand

Canada was included in the Encore acquisi on by PSAV last year.

P

SAV, a global leader in event experiences, has announced that it will align its por olio of companies under a new master brand and will assume the name Encore. With a global footprint reaching more than 20 countries, PSAV has experienced tremendous growth in recent years extending the solu ons it provides customers to create event experiences.

The Company has built a strong por olio of event experience capabili es with the recent acquisi ons of Encore Event Technologies and other leading brands such as Hargrove, Hawthorn, KFP, FMAV and Eclipse. This move will unify the brands to more accurately depict the combined companies' industry leadership, end-to-end event capabili es, and service excellence.

48 | March | www.exhibi onshowcase.com

“Encore is a strong brand in our family of companies and adop on of its name will be er reflect the full suite of event capabili es we provide," said Mike McIlwain, CEO. “Together, the brands in our por olio provide crea ve, produc on, advanced technology and staging services to customers all around the world. We are very excited to begin this transi on that strongly supports our mission to connect and inspire audiences.”

Under the Encore name, the new brand will be launched later this summer with an en rely new brand iden ty. Over the coming months, the migra on strategy for the complete por olio of companies will be defined, beginning with Freeman AV Canada, which will adopt the new brand name on March 31, 2020. Freeman AV

“The evolu on of our brand is in response to simplifying our message to customers,” added Cathy Schlosberg, SVP, Marke ng.

“We know our customers desire to deliver innova ve, impac ul, transforma ve event experiences, and they want to work with a provider who can deliver a seamless experience no ma er where they are in the world. We believe we can more effec vely represent that under a new, global master brand that maximizes the very best from our already strong roster of leading companies.”

The PSAV family of companies serves as a global leader in event experiences, providing crea ve, produc on, advanced technology and staging services to help mee ng professionals deliver more dynamic and impac ul experiences at their mee ngs, trade shows and events.

The team consists of approximately 14,000 professionals across 2,100 on-site venue loca ons and more than 50 regional warehouses. The company operates in more than 20 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia. It is the trusted partner and exclusive on-site provider of choice at leading venues worldwide.