Exhibition World Issue 1 — 2020 | Page 6

Global Snapshot Global snapshot EW explores some regional news highlights in the global exhibitions industry Argentina - UFI, the global association for the exhibitions industry, has announced the speaker lineup for its Latin America Conference, taking place 20-21 April in Buenos Aires. The theme of the event will be ‘Navigating Uncertainty’. Moderating a panel titled ‘What’s next for venues in Latam’ will be Santiago Gonzalez, Regional Director, ICCA. The panel will discuss what the future holds for venues in the region. It will share insights on how to generate revenue from new services, and give recommendations on attracting and creating international events. USA - Elon Musk’s The Boring Company has neared the halfway point of its tunnelling project at the Las Vegas Convention Centre. The Boring Company is boring holes 40 feet underground in order to create the $52.5m tunnel system, which will include three passenger stations. It has already bored a length equal to six football fields. The tunnels will connect the existing 3.2m sqft of convention space with the LVCC’s new 1.4 million-square-foot West Hall expansion, currently under construction. 6 Issue 1 2020 UK - Kathryn James, Managing Director for NEC Group Conventions and Exhibitions, will be retiring after 12 years with the company. Since joining as Managing Director of the NEC in 2007, James has led the strategic direction for the largest of the Group’s five divisions - the NEC - focusing on exhibitions, live events, conferences and long-stay experiences. James navigated the business through a global recession and introduced a significant outsourcing programme during her tenure. Spain - Fira de Barcelona and GL events have signed an agreement, which will see the former group taking charge of managing the Barcelona International Convention Centre (BICC). The BICC is currently under the management of French event company GL events. Fira de Barcelona is the tradefair institute of the city of Barcelona, and will take charge of the venue in 2021. Fira de Barcelona will ensure a steady transition in management. w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk