Global Snapshot
Global snapshot
EW explores some regional news highlights in the global exhibitions industry
Europe – The Serbian capital
Belgrade has beaten off competition from Malaga , Minnesota , Phuket and Bariloche to clinch the hosting rights of World Expo 2027 .
Expo 2027 is expected to attract four million visitors and will run from 15 May to 15 August 2027 . It will be held under the theme ‘ Play for Humanity : Sports and Music for All ’. The Expo is expected to be hosted over 250,000sqm of exhibition space .
World Expo was last held in Dubai in 2021 , a year later than planned .
Europe – The UK ’ s Association of
Event Organisers ( AEO ) has appointed Anna Golden as its new chief executive officer , effective January 2025 .
Golden , who has most recently been consulting , brings extensive experience from her previous role as commercial director at Olympia London .
As CEO , Golden will lead the AEO ’ s mission to support UK event organisers through advocacy , membership growth , and strategic advancement .
Golden will replace Chris Skeith in the AEO role as he moves at the end of the year to take up the reins as CEO of UFI , the global association of the exhibition industry .
Europe – The Italian Exhibition
Group has posted revenues of € 179m , up 19.8 % compared to the previous financial year to 30 September 2023 .
CEO of the IEG Group , Corrado Arturo Peraboni , commented : “ In the first nine months of 2024 alone , the company has exceeded all of its pre-Covid financial results for the entire last year . The last quarter will only add value to our result .”
October saw the finalisation of the purchase of 51 % of Vending Expo S . r . l ., the company organising Venditalia - The Vending Expo . Profit was also up € 21m from € 11.4m for the year to September 2023 .
Americas – With tax reform a top policy issue for Washington , DC in 2025 , the USA ’ s Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance ( ECA ) has released its 2025 tax reform priorities for the events industry .
Hervé Sedky , Emerald Holding Inc . president , CEO , and chair of the ECA board of directors , said : “ The 2025 tax reform debate is an important opportunity for policymakers to accelerate the US industry ’ s competitiveness .”
ECA is encouraging Congress to take up and pass federal tax legislation in 2025 that is pro-growth , pro-investment , and proworkforce development .
6 Issue 6 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk