Big deals flow from accelerated comeback on the show floor
W hile in previous months we ’ ve been talking about the returning feel good factor and predicting a steady comeback for the industry , the pace of that return seems to have speeded up and taken most by surprise .
The Con-Expo / ConAgg construction shows in Las Vegas in March drew a massive 139,000 crowd and Montgomery ’ s Geo Connect Asia in Singapore the same month drew 2,500 visitors , including a big international contingent from 53 countries . The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show drew 17,000 visitors for its 2023 edition , 50 % up on last year .
Momentum was further illustrated by some big 2022 financial results being reported , including Italian Exhibition Group ’ s ( IEG ) turnover up € 87.6m in Italy . Dubai World Trade Centre ’ s latest results showed 1.98m visitors in the previous year and a 39 % growth as exhibitions there gathered pace . Hong Kong is back and its Convention and Exhibition Centre posted full houses for its International Jewellery Show and its co-located exhibitions in March .
Of course , our cover story on three major acquisitions in the sector also confirms that the private equity markets and investment banks also increasingly value our F2F platform and are ready to put their money where our mouths are .
Nor are our big beasts of the exhibition jungle sitting
on their hands and investments : Informa has launched the Africa Energy Expo and Tarsus has added a regional show in Florida to its OFFPRICE Show brand . IEG has set up an Asian subsidiary and acquired two shows in the jewellery and food and beverage sectors respectively .
And , although , some companies in the tech sector have taken a step back with the surge in face-to-face , Momentus Technologies ( formerly Ungerboeck ), a leader in venue and event management tech , has announced an 80 % increase in new customer acquisitions across all key verticals .
So , as we look forward to a range of UFI regional conferences , EW also is keen to hear first hand about more fast track returns to good business and all about your experiences to share with the wider industry audience .
Paul Colston Editor Twitter : @ ExhibitionWorld Instagram : @ ew _ magazine
Managing Editor : Paul Colston ; Portfolio Director : Iain Stirling ; International Reporter : Catie Owen ;
Graphic Design : Rob Fletcher / PA Media ; Production Controller : Sabrina Boucher . Contact us : Subscriptions :+ 44 ( 0 ) 20 8481 1128 , Editorial : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 8481 1152 , Advertising : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 8481 1122 , Production :+ 44 ( 0 ) 20 8971 1132 . Exhibition World is published by Mash Media , Second floor , Applemarket House , 17 Union Street , Kingston Upon Thames , KT1 1RP , UK . Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 8481 1122 fax : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 8481 1144 , Email : info @ mashmedia . net Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers . No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publishers . Printed by Pensord Press Ltd .
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 2 2023 5