Exhibition World Issue 6 | Page 31

Recruitment

The Talent Equation in Asia

Trevor Foley says Asia ’ s main markets are finding themselves in very different places

A focus this month on Asia is a fascinating exercise in contraindications . The four main geographical markets of China , Hong Kong , Singapore and Thailand are all in very different places .

The Asian region has , without doubt , experienced both the toughest and longest of Covid-19 restriction policies of anywhere in the world . And while Covid-19 is now almost a non-conversation in the West , the matter is far from over in Asia .
China ’ s bewildering policies also have a direct impact on Hong Kong , traditionally the gateway for the growth of global exhibition businesses in Asia .
The events infrastructure has always been excellent in Hong Kong and ever improving in mainland China . However , the ongoing spontaneous lockdown policies create a problem that completely negates any value of that infrastructure . This issue is trust . How can organisers and venues effectively plan events when the Chinese government closes venues and entire cities randomly , immediately and repeatedly ?
The issue in Hong Kong is different to the mainland . Most of the major events in Hong Kong are 70 % - 80 % international and when the strict hotel quarantines and travel bans were in place it was simply impossible to organise events . Things are definitely improving , so Hong Kong should bounce back reasonably well during the course of next year .
While , earlier this year , Thailand made a very definite statement to end its lockdown programme , repeated political upheaval issues are always at the back of people ’ s minds in the territory .
Then , there ’ s Singapore . While there was a period where the government pronouncements of opening up were not matched by experiences on the ground , there is no doubt that Singapore is already the new gateway to the Asian operations of global event organisers . Moreover , there is so much opportunity to capitalise on the situation .
All of this is having a fundamental impact on human capital in the region . Asia is the second strongest region for my own business outside of the UK . This has not changed during the last two or three years . Having placed the CEO ’ s / MD ’ s of many of the organiser businesses in Singapore , I have an ‘ up close and personal ’ insight into the way things are shaping up for the future of the region . Here are some current examples of trends :
• Foreign nationals ( mainly Europeans ) who were in China or HK are now heading for Singapore or home , and some industry players ( Asians and foreigners ) in Hong Kong have already moved or are seeking to move to Singapore and other countries in the region . This is creating a demand-led cost of living crisis in Singapore .
Above : Trevor Foley
“ The Chinese government will have to make a very definitive statement in order to restore trust among global organisers .”
• This is creating a matching salary explosion issue for both existing staff and potential recruits .
• Singapore may become prohibitively expensive .
• Organisers are increasingly looking at acquisitions and launches in other countries in the region such as Indonesia , Vietnam and Malaysia .
Shows in China , when they do happen are largely domestic affairs . In Hong Kong , shows can only open when they can be international . At the moment , all roads lead to Singapore for much industry talent in the region despite the huge rises in the cost of living . The Chinese government will have to make a very definitive statement in order to restore trust among global organisers .
Asia will continue to be a strong region of growth for the industry , with a huge amount of talent already there , and more willing to go . It will be government policy that will dictate where that growth lies . Singapore can neither house all the shows nor all of the talent . It will be interesting to see which other countries in the region wake up to the opportunities . Will it be the previously established markets of Hong Kong and China or will new territories come to the fore ?
This article includes contributions from Paul Woodward Advisory . EW
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