GLOBAL SNAPSHOT
WORLD
GL Events gets Asia rebound
Organiser GL Events has released its financial results for the first quarter of 2021 , showing a strong rebound for business in Asia but a slow start to the year .
With business still largely on pause during the first part of 2021 , GL Events reported revenue for Q1 was € 68.4m . This was down from € 113.4m during last year ’ s first quarter , which was only partially affected by lockdown restrictions . However , new investment and an early return of business show promising signs for the Asia region .
AMERICAS
WEC Congress goes live in June
Meeting Professionals International ( MPI ) plans to go ahead with a 1,500-capacity live version of its signature World Education Congress in Las Vegas .
The news comes after Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced the state ’ s intention to fully reopen convention facilities from 1 June .
MPI stated that it will continue to carry forward the Duty of Care attendee safety practices debuted at its November 2020 WEC Grapevine , which brought more than 600 in-person attendees and resulted in zero attributed Covid-19 cases .
AUSTRALASIA
Top up for Australia ’ s Bid Fund
Business Events Australia has received a further AUD $ 3m funding for its Bid Fund Programme .
The Bid Fund Programme is designed to secure new international business events coming to Australia , by offering financial support at the bidding stage . The new funding comes from Tourism Australia .
Federal Minister for Trade , Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan commented : “ Because Australia ’ s economic and health response to Covid-19 has been among the best in the world , Australia is well placed to attract more international events when travel resumes .”
EUROPE / ASIA
ACE of M . I . C . E . moves to late June
Istanbul ’ s ACE of M . I . C . E . exhibition by Turkish Airlines ( AME ), the first truly international MICE industry tradeshow in Turkey , is set to return from 28-30 June 2021 , after the original early June dates were pushed back following the announcement of a national lockdown in Turkey until 17 May . Organisers have advised international visitors to check country travel advisories and health regulations before attending , but say they are focused on delivering a show in person .
This year ’ s event will be the seventh edition of Ace of M . I . C . E .
6 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 112