Editor ’ s Note
Going beyond
M ost delegates who attended the UFI Global Congress in Las Vegas in November that I ’ ve spoken came away energised and raring to Go Beyond – as per the conference theme . And you can read some of the reviews and feedback of that event in some of our feature articles and columns in this issue .
While the contact and kismet of face to face is part of the magic that sets live events apart from communicating via computer screen , for strategising for 2024 our businesses surely have to take note of the prevailing data and statistics .
On the plus side we have many positive news stories recently , such as Louisville ’ s KFC Yum ! Center venue managed by entertainment giant ASM Global , posting a study that showed the venue accounted for $ 1bn in economic impact for the metropolitan area in less than a decade .
And , as some of our wise industry heads make plain in our feature on the Chinese market ’ s return , there is plenty of optimism around if you ’ re betting on the tier 1 cities there and their trade show momentum .
Steve Monnington ’ s latest review of M & A activity would seem to be moving the barometer to ‘ Fair ’ based on the data , at least for the prospect of accelerated deals in 2024 .
Of course , nothing stands still , least of all event tech and AI seems to have moved beyond ‘ Recruitment ’, ‘ Sustainability ’ and even considerations of ‘ Cost ’ to top the popularity poll for themes for discussion at our industry events .
It is not surprising that the level of noise around Sam Altman ’ s sacking and apparent re-instatement at OpenAI rose to quite a crescendo . Clearly , there are big efficiencies to be gathered and new ways of working ahead with AI , and debate is likely to be fierce around safeguards , so expect this topic to mushroom in the session theatres at our industry events as well as in the wider world .
Do enjoy our interview with new UFI president Geoff Dickinson and our case studies from major players at the recent Eurofinance show , meanwhile , and get involved with all our content both here in print and online and on Social in the New Year and beyond .
Paul Colston Editor Twitter : @ ExhibitionWorld Instagram : @ ew _ magazine
Managing Editor : Paul Colston ; Portfolio Director : Iain Stirling ; International Reporter : Catie Owen ;
Graphic Design : 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 6 2023 5