Editor ’ s Note
You do not buy the past , you buy the future
A s our cover photo shows , delegates at SISO ’ s recent CEO Summit had a chance ( safely ) to watch the solar eclipse in Florida as part of their recent get-together . There is certainly no eclipsing of the trade fair business in 2024 and we can equally safely say it has moved out of the shade , with the sun shining centre stage again and the German Convention Bureau ’ s recent research previewed in this edition underlines that fact on the German market at least .
The SISO sessions in Florida covered what ’ s on the cards for M & A in the sector for 2024 and my headline to these notes shamelessly borrows Arc Network Simon Foster ’ s comment which can also stand , I believe , as a metaphor for the wider exhibition industry , now laser focused on future horizons .
Those horizons come in familiar territories such as Europe – and our report from the EU Dialogue on pages 18-19 is a recommended read – as well as new regions , such as Rwanda , which we showcase as part of our report on the recent UFI MEA Conference held in the African city .
Dmg events president Matt Denton gives us a tour around his company ’ s fast developing Middle East business and his interview offers many a tip for those considering entering or expanding in that market , particularly in Saudi Arabia .
Some aspects of our industry ’ s craft are constants , such as those who design and build our exhibition stands and booths . We focus on those skills and how they are adapting and innovating on pages 20-21 with the views of some expert insiders .
Finally , we hope you all managed to contribute to and amplify the messages of Global Exhibitions Day this year because , as UFI underlined in its lead on the campaign : ‘ Exhibitions are catalysts to sustainable futures ’.
Do continue to share with our EW team all you are doing to create your own sustainable business future . And very best 50th anniversary greetings to our friends at NürnbergMesse ! And there , I admit , we are buying a little bit of the past , but only to cement the future ..
Paul Colston Editor Twitter : @ ExhibitionWorld Instagram : @ ew _ magazine
Managing Editor : Paul Colston ; Portfolio Director : Iain Stirling ; International Reporter : Catie Owen ;
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