ochen , we last met as Shenzhen World readied for launch , a giant convention centre project ( main photo ) which your company played a key role in realising . Ironically , it is the Chinese market that is leading the way back for exhibitions post- Covid . How do you see that path in China and how have the last eight months affected your business plans ? Shenzhen World has set new standards in venue quality and it is a privilege for us having had the possibility to contribute to such standards over the last five years .

We are happy to see that the Chinese exhibition industry is recovering swiftly , mainly due to strict control measures and contact tracing . In any case , this trend is a good indication for the industry as a whole .

With a number of new projects , 2020 was a very good year for jwc in China , even though trips to the country were limited . The decision to establish a jwc team in China proved to be 100 % correct .

With Asian countries leading the way back for events and offering some of the best solutions to dealing with the Covid issue , you have brought ‘ Mr Exhibitions Asia ’ on board at your jwc consultancy , Jimé Essink . Is that proof that you expect to be putting the greatest attention and emphasis on these markets in future ? Calling Jimé ‘ Mr Exhibitions Asia ’ is definitely no exaggeration ; his achievements , his knowhow and his reputation are unique and remarkable .

Over recent years China has been the growth engine of the global

economy and the main growth driver for our industry ; we expect this trend to continue . So it is natural that the country is one of our focus regions besides Europe and North America .

Jimé , you have led events teams and businesses in Asia for many years , including at UBM / Informa and VNU Exhibitions in Asia . 2020 has seen you strike out as a consultant . Tell us about that decision and what you have been doing these past few months ? After 12 years in the job as CEO of UBM Asia and , respectively , Informa Asia , I thought it was time for a change . A change which would make it possible to spend more time with my family and move back to Europe . Jochen had approached me some time ago to join his consultancy , so that was an easy decision . The consultancy makes it possible for

Below : Jochen Witt

me to still contribute to the industry and to keep up my network . Covid completely changed my daily life : from one or two times per week in a plane to 100 % at home , but I will be very happy when the world and our industry turns to more normal again .

Given your experience in Asia with big international organisers , how would you assess how those large companies have reacted to secure their businesses . Have they done well given the circumstances ? I think they have done well with regards to the shorter terms actions :

• Taking care that all H & S measures are in place

• Undertaking digital initiatives to remain in contact with key stakeholders

• Undertaking necessary cost savings .

The judge is still out for the longer term . Not much thinking has been done yet about the shape of the future events and how organisations should address these future customer needs . And it is not an easy question , of course .

How do you see the path forward for the full return of international exhibitions and tradefairs in Asia and how have strategies in that part of the world differed from areas that are still struggling hard with the effects of Covid-19 such as Europe and America ? China is already organising successful large-scale exhibtions , as do ( on a smaller scale ) South- Korea , Japan and Taiwan . China ’ s events are so successful , even in coronavirus times , since it has a huge home market , plus there are a lot of overseas purchase offices in China , so international trade is still taking place . Covid has to be under