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Despite these encouraging signs , there must be a recognition of the regional differentiation in re-opening owing to the variances in vaccination rates and easing of restrictions . Companies from the Americas and Europe have started to see normal levels of business ( pre-pandemic ) resume towards the end of 2021 , while the Asia-Pacific , Middle East , and Africa are still experiencing a sluggish return .
Pain points Covid-19 is still considered the largest factor impacting business at the start of 2022 for 19 % of respondents , which is down from 29 % six months ago .
Hattendorf highlights what are the primary growing pain points for respondents in the Global Barometer : “ As the industry bounces back , the key issues now facing companies are around internal management issues and the impact of digitisation .”
These issues ranked second and third most pressing challenges for respondents . These pain points have increased by 10 % and 6 % respectively since the last Global Barometer in July 2021 . The three main components of ‘ Internal management challenges ’ are human resources , business model adjustments , and finance .
There are geographic disparities in the prevalence of these issues . In Germany , the ‘ impact of digitalisation ’ is matched with the ‘ impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business ’ as the most pressing issue for 20 % of respondents . However , ‘ internal management challenges ’ represents the key business issue across Australia , Argentina and Mexico , Spain , Colombia , Thailand , and South Africa .
Back with a bang Inspired Home Show- Chicago , US The Chicago-based McCormick Place convention and exhibition
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centre welcomed back ‘ The Inspired Home Show ’, 5-7 March .
Buyers from 84 countries met with 1,016 exhibitors during the show . The event also attracted 20,000 visitors , the largest attendance since the onset of the pandemic .
The Inspired Home Show was the first trade show in Chicago since the mask mandates were lifted across Illinois , 28 February , marking the end of a month-long requirement for many indoor public spaces .
While the Show typically attracts 60,000 attendees and 2,200 exhibitors , the event was a large step in the right direction for exhibitions in Chicago .
Larita Clark , CEO of the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority , the owner of McCormick Place , told EW : “ McCormick Place reopened in July ( 2021 ) and has steadily gained momentum , even with two major surges due to Covid-19 variants . The 2022 convention calendar is very strong . There are 176 events scheduled . We estimate that these events will bring approximately 1.7m visitors , spending $ 1.2m hotel nights and generating $ 1.87bn in local economic impact .”
Meetings Africa- Johannesburg , South Africa International associations and meetings industry professionals convened at Meetings Africa 2022 , 28 February-2 March , to showcase Africa ’ s diverse offerings of services and products at the Sandton Convention Centre , Johannesburg , South Africa .
“ Meetings Africa 2022 was a face-to-face trade show with minimal elements that were virtual ,” Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo , chief convention bureau officer at South African Tourism , told EW . “ Meetings Africa was also a catalyst to get people to travel from one place to another in order to create
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“ Meetings Africa 2022 provided hope for the business events industry , both for the continent and the rest of the globe .” |
and grow relationships .” The 16th edition of the show brought together 161 buyers and 216 exhibitors from 13 African countries .
While revenues were not able to reach the same levels as prepandemic shows , Kotze-Nhlapo believes Meetings Africa 2022 was an important stepping stone for the exhibition industry :
“ Meetings Africa was last held in 2020 since the crippling health pandemic . Meetings Africa 2022 provided hope for the business events industry both for the continent and the rest of the globe .”
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