Global exhibition industry leaves the recession behind them

boot Düsseldorf 2011, the 42nd International Boat Show, recently ended in Germany with a substantial attendee increase of more than 10,000 visitors.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently concluded its sixth Global Barometer Survey in December 2010. According to UFI, the survey confirms, on a global level, the exhibition industry has now left behind the depressed business environment of the past two years and is moving ahead.

The data was collected from 173 companies in 54 countries including UFI members, Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) members and, for Central and South America, the Asociacion International de Ferias de America (AFIDA).


Detailed results demonstrate significant regional variations, with a smaller exposure to the downturn taking place in the Middle East and Africa. The survey also suggests an earlier recovery in the Americas and the Asia/Pacific regions versus the European region.
The confidence level that the economic crisis is now over was the highest in the Asia/Pacific region.

“We think this sixth Global Barometer provides a very accurate view of the state of the exhibition industry,” said Paul Woodward, UFI managing director. “It’s certainly reassuring to see our industry has now recovered in all regions.”

Numbers from recent international expositions support UFI’s result, which not only is the worst over, but that the industry is starting to believe it.

ArabPlast 2011, the 10th Arab International Plastics & Rubber Industry Trade Show & Conference, and the co-located Tekno Tube Arabia 2011, the 10th International Trade Fair for Industrial Machinery, drew 18,680 visitors to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The events were organized by Al Fajer Information & Services and Messe Düsseldorf.

“At ArabPlast 2011, deals comprising machinery products at the show crossed $1.24 billion mark, involving mainly European and Asian companies,” said Satish Khanna, general manager of Al Fajer Information & Services. “There was a huge turnout of representatives from regional plastics factories who considered the trade fair an ideal platform instead of travelling overseas to place orders. The fact that ArabPlast and Tekno Tube Arabia 2011 have attracted 800 exhibitors representing 40 countries, with a 25 percent increase in the display area compared to the 2009 events is clear evidence the United Arab Emirates is the ideal platform to target the Middle East market.”

The exhibitors were also pleased with their participation in ArabPlast 2011.

“We achieved deals worth 5 million Euros,” said Franz Gass, regional sales manager of Starlinger & Co. GmbH, a leading Austrian company specializing in recycling machinery. “We and the other Austrian companies find this event a great venue to showcase our products for the entire Middle East.”

Although the UFI survey reported an earlier recovery in the Americas and the Asia/Pacific regions than in Europe, exhibit space for Expo Reclam, the largest advertising and promotional gift sector event in Southern Europe, sold out six days before the door could open.

The tradeshow had 227 confirmed exhibitors, over 8,500 pre-registered visitors and a total of almost 77,000 square feet of reserved exhibit space.

According to Reed Exhibitions, producers of the event, the large number of companies attending make this is a must-attend event for professionals in the industry.

“Like any other, this sector is not immune to the effects of the current economic situation,” said Susana Gibert, show director. “However, both exhibitors and visitors are willing to work together in the venue to improve the prospects for this campaign.”

Germany also got in on the act with a successful tradeshow, which helps confirm the economic results of the UFI study.

boot Düsseldorf 2011, the 42nd International Boat Show, recently ended in Germany with a substantial attendee increase of more than 10,000 visitors. The attendees, totalling 250,500 visitors from over 60 countries, created an upbeat mood in the exhibition halls. boot Düsseldorf, the world’s largest yacht and water sports show, also consisted of 1,571 exhibitors from 61 nations.

“Our expectations have been far exceeded,” said Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The economic upturn, noticeable before the start of the show, has truly gathered pace. With lively ordering and purchasing in certain areas, the large number of high-caliber, interested visitors have given the industry good reason to view the coming season with optimism.”

This year, boot was again an international event. A total of 50,000 visitors came from outside of Germany, with a distinct increase in the proportion of attendees from overseas.

IJT 2011 ended in great success, welcoming a total of 35,902 visitors to the venue over the four-day show from January 26-29.

Even with the UFI survey identifying the Asian Pacific as one of the more optimistic regions, participants at the 22nd International Jewelry Tokyo (IJT 2011) show were worried about the global economic situation; however, those same attendees were pleasantly surprised by the large number of eager buyers on the show floor.

IJT 2011 ended in great success, welcoming a total of 35,902 visitors to the venue over the four-day show from January 26-29. Business flourished throughout the venue and many exhibitors reported a surge in sales from the very first day of the show.
Especially prominent among the buyers were the great number of Chinese buyers that came to IJT to source for quality jewelry.

“The recent and rapid growth of the Chinese market is very appealing for both our Japanese and international exhibitors,” said Fumimasa Doi, show director of the IJT. “We received feedback from our exhibitors that Chinese buyers purchased more than buyers from any other country.”

More than 200 Chinese buyers came to the show.

In keeping pace with these international expos, UFI’s current Barometer Survey showed that a majority of those surveyed in the three regions, Americas, Asia/Pacific and Middle East/Africa, registered an increase in profits of more than 10 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. But, the most significant result of the survey may be the change in perception of those surveyed.

Almost 50 percent have put the economy behind them and are looking to the future, which bodes well for the global tradeshow industry.