Exhibition World Issue 3 — 2019 | 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 trade fairs 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: Craig Newman UFI Managing Director: Kai Hattendorf UFI Marketing & Communications Manager: Monika Fourneaux-Ceskova 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] Top left 27 UFI on stage with Brexit at The NEC Top right 45 India’s race for space Bottom left 52 Electra raising the game in the Gulf Bottom right 58 Bahrain’s boutique appeal NEWS & OPINION 39 05 12 18 21-25 REGIONAL FOCUS BIG INTERVIEW 14 31 The opinions and views expressed in Exhibition World do not necessarily reflect UFI policy or position. w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk 33 45 STEERING INDIA’S GROWTH WHEEL President of India’s Exhibition Industry Association says a lack of space is his country’s biggest exhibition challenge 49 WHERE ARE THE GERMAN ORGANISERS? New research from MBB serves as a big warning for growth triggers, especially in Germany 56-62 MIDDLE EAST MOVES Qatar Qurated; Boutique Bahrain; Dubai Vision and Oman’s big plan EXPANDING FOOTPRINT IFP Group CEO Albert Aoun on opportunity, youth and innovations RESEARCH AND EVENT TECH 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] WELCOME UFI: STRONGER TOGETHER GLOBAL SNAPSHOT AMERICAS, ASIA, EUROPEAN NEWS CHINA CONSOLIDATES Björn Kempe examines the ‘lower ranks’ and finds signs of consolidation in Asia AUMA’S MESSETREND 2019 The eight German exhibitor objectives identified by new AUMA research, MesseTrend THINK TANK 21 36 UFI’S DEEP IMPACT Global exhibitions pack an economic punch bigger than Hungary, Sri Lanka or Ecuador FACING UP TO A NEW CHALLENGE Aventri’s Brecht Fourneau looks at three top trends in facial recognition for events  EALMAKERS D Steve Monnington on transactions involving Tarsus and Centaur, as The Meetings Show finally finds a buyer Issue 3 2019 3