Exhibition World Issue 4 - 2022 | Page 23

UFI Global Barometer with staffing being the most prevalent of these challenges . Some differences can be seen in relation to ‘ Impact of digitisation ’, which is the most pressing issue in Colombia ( 24 %) and Germany , Malaysia and Thailand ( 20 %). Meanwhile , ‘ Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business ’ remains the most important business in China ( 21 %) and Hong Kong and Japan ( 20 %).

An analysis per industry segment ( organiser , venue and service provider ) shows no differences with regard to the three most important issues , which remain ‘ Internal management challenges ’, ‘ Impact of digitisation ’ and ‘ Competition with other media ’.
Future exhibition formats : physical and digital events In addition to the 87 % of companies who are confident that ‘ Covid-19 confirms the value of face-to- face events ’: 31 % ( compared to 44 % in the previous edition , and 46 % in the edition prior to that ) believe there will be ‘ Less international ‘ physical ’ exhibitions and , overall , less participants ’ ( with 4 % stating ‘ Yes , for sure ’, 27 % stating ‘ Most probably ’ and 26 % remaining unsure ). Sixtyone percent ( compared to 73 % and 76 % previously ) believe there is ‘ A push towards hybrid events , more digital elements at events ’ ( with 19 % stating ‘ Yes , for sure ’, 42 % stating ‘ Most probably ’ and 20 % remaining unsure ). Six percent ( compared to 10 % and 14 % previously ) agree that ‘ Virtual events are replacing physical events ’, with 16 % being unsure and 57 % stating ‘ Definitely not ’.
The results are similar across regions , with the exception of a significantly higher proportion of companies ( 35 %) being ‘ unsure ’ that ‘ Virtual events are replacing physical events ’ in Central and South America .
Background The 29th Global Barometer survey , concluded in June 2022 , provides insights from 366 companies , across 57 countries and regions . It was conducted in collaboration with 19 UFI member associations : AAXO ( The Association of African Exhibition Organisers ) and EXSA ( Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa ) in South Africa ; AEO ( Association of Event Organisers ) in the UK ; AFE ( Spanish Trade Fairs Association ) in Spain ; AFEP ( Asociación de Ferias del Perú ) in Peru ; AFIDA ( Asociación Internacional de Ferias de América ) in Central and South America ; AKEI ( Association of Korean Exhibition Industry ) in South Korea ; AMPROFEC ( Asociación
Mexicana de Profesionales en Ferias , Exposiciones , Congresos y Convenciones ) in Mexico ; AOCA ( Asociación Argentina de Organizadores y Proveedores de Exposiciones , Congresos , Eventos y de Burós de Convenciones ) in Argentina ; IECA / ASPERAPI ( Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association ) in Indonesia ; EEAA ( Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia ) in Australia ; IEIA ( Indian Exhibition Industry Association ) in India ; JEXA ( Japan Exhibition Association ) in Japan ; MFTA ( Macau Fair & Trade Association ) in Macau ; MACEOS ( Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers ) in Malaysia ; SECB ( Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau ) in Singapore ; SISO ( Society of Independent Show Organizers ) in the US ; TEA ( Thai Exhibition Association ) in Thailand ; UBRAFE ( União Brasileira dos Promotores Feiras ) in Brazil .

32 % 87 % 61 %

32 % of respondents have developed a digital strategy for exhibitions
87 % of companies are confi dent Covid-19 confi rms the value of face-to-face
61 % of respondents think there is a push towards hybrid events
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