Exhibition World Issue 2 — 2020 | Page 3

Contents In this issue: UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry promotes, represents and serves the interests of the world’s leading show organisers, fairground owners and operators, major national and inter­national associations of the exhibition industry and industry partners. As a non-political and non-profit organisation, UFI’s main goal is to serve the exhibition industry worldwide and to emphasise its unique marketing characteristics for the development of world trade. Present on six continents, in 84 countries, UFI is a unique and neutral forum for dialogue dedicated to all professionals involved in the trade fair business. Serving the exhibition industry since 1925, UFI applies its professional experience and renown to providing its members and the industry with the extensive know-how required to meet the challenges of ever- changing needs. Being a member of UFI is a proof of quality and international recognition. Over 4,500 tradefairs and exhibitions are organised by its members. More than 900 of these are international exhibitions, app­roved by UFI, based upon strict and exacting quality criteria, assuring excellent services for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors. UFI President: Mary Larkin UFI Managing Director/CEO: Kai Hattendorf UFI MarComs Manager: Justine Evans 17 rue Louise Michel 92300 Levallois-Perret Fran Tel: +33 (0)1 4639 7500 Fax: +33 (0)1 4639 7501 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ufi.org UFI Asia/Pacific Regional Office: Suite 4114, Hong Kong Plaza 188 Connaught Road West Hong Kong, S.A.R Tel: (852) 2525 6129 Email: [email protected] UFI Middle East/Africa Expo Center, Sharjah - UAE Tel: (971) 6 5991352 Email: [email protected] UFI Latin America Corferias Cra 37 # 24-67 Auditorium Second Floor Bogota Colombia Tel: +571 3445486 E-mail: [email protected] The opinions and views expressed in Exhibition World do not necessarily reflect UFI policy or position. w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk Top left 18 This month’s major Covid-19 news Top right 29-32 Exhibition capital of the world? Bottom left 43-47 Expo 2020 still on track in Dubai Bottom right 52-54 A journey back in time...to turn of the century Paris NEWS & OPINION 5 EDITOR’S NOTE 6-7 AN UPDATE FROM ASIA 10 UFI: DRIVING RECOVERY EVENT TECHNOLOGY 24-25 56 SILVER LININGS Could lockdown cause a surge of digital events? IS AI SERVING OUR NEEDS? The UFI Digital Committee weighs in on artifical intelligence 27-28 DIAL M M’s Creative Director provides EW some agency insight 35 THE BLACK SWAN Bjorn Kempe says the world - and our industry - has changed forever 37 TIME FOR A REBOOT? Stephanie Selesnick on rethinking customer service 49 THE VIEW FROM OMAN Omanexpo General Manager Ashley Roberts surveys the scene THINK TANK 9 DEALMAKERS  teve Monnington looks beyond S Covid-19 for M&A activity 14-17 DEUS EX MACHINA Incoming UFI President V. Anbu speaks to EW INSIGHTS & INTERVIEWS 13 STRONGER, TOGETHER Ravinder Sethi on the fast- moving Indian market Issue 2 2020 3