International briefs this month span strong January buyer traffic in Hong Kong, new show launches and venue activations in India and Australia, and a packed 2026 calendar across Europe and the United Arab Emirates, with organizers emphasizing attendance targets, exhibitor growth, and expanded programming.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Hong Kong
HKTDC Toys and Games Fair Debuts “Pop & Play” Pavilion
The 52nd Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair ran January 12–15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)., alongside the 17th Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and the 24th Hong Kong International Stationery and School Supplies Fair. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organized the toys and baby fairs and co-organized the stationery fair with Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. Organizers reported more than 2,600 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions. They also reported about 82,000 buyers from 121 countries and regions across the three fairs. The “Pop & Play” pavilion showcased 150 intellectual properties (IPs) and drew about 10,000 public visits.
Education and Careers Expo Draws 860 Organizations
The 35th Education and Careers Expo ran January 22–25 at the HKCEC. The HKTDC organized the public event with free admission. Organizers reported more than 860 participating organizations from 23 countries and regions. Exhibitors included government departments, tertiary institutions, and education providers. The show split into Education and Careers sections. An upgraded CV Clinic offered one-to-one consultations, aptitude testing, and CV portrait photography. The program featured four themed days covering public service, next-generation technologies, healthcare and wellness, and Greater Bay Area opportunities.
Asian Financial Forum Opens With 3,600 Expected Participants
The 19th Asian Financial Forum opened January 26 in Hong Kong under the theme “Co-creating New Horizons amid an Evolving Landscape.” The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the HKTDC co-organize the two-day event. Organizers expect more than 3,600 participants from over 60 countries and regions, with more than 150 speakers and about 80 business delegations. The program includes more than 40 sessions plus a deal-making platform that organizers said includes over 280 investors and 560 projects. A new Global Business Summit is scheduled for January 27.
India
PetBridge to Launch B2B Pet Care Trade Platform in Mumbai
Inspira Bridge Events will launch PetBridge, a new B2B trade platform for the pet care industry, on November 25–26, 2026, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO) in Mumbai. Inspira Bridge Events is co-organizing the inaugural edition with BolognaFiere Group in collaboration with Zoomark. Organizers position PetBridge as India’s first international B2B platform dedicated solely to pet care. The event will focus on business matchmaking, market insights, and category discussions across pet food, accessories, grooming, healthcare, and services. Organizers said the platform aims to connect Indian companies with global suppliers, buyers, and partners.
Australia
ICC Sydney Opens Eight Pickleball Courts on Event Deck
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) opened eight purpose-built pickleball courts on its Event Deck in January. The venue, managed by Legends Global, completed the fit-out earlier this month and opened the courts for public bookings. House of Pickle operates the facility and offers casual play, coaching, social sessions, and group events for community and corporate users. ICC Sydney said the courts also give event organizers options for team-building and attendee activities. The activation sits at Darling Harbour and includes supporting food and beverage offerings and a dedicated lounge area.
ICC Sydney Expands Event Management Graduate Program
ICC Sydney has expanded its Event Management Graduate Program for 2026, doubling intake for a second year. Managed by Legends Global, the venue welcomed two University of Technology Sydney Bachelor of Management (Events) graduates into the paid, two-year program. Participants rotate through business development, event planning, and event delivery roles across the venue. ICC Sydney said the program supports workforce development and builds operational capability within its events team. The initiative continues ICC Sydney’s partnership with the University of Technology Sydney and focuses on practical, end-to-end experience in venue operations.
SXSW Sydney Canceled After Loss of State Funding
SXSW Sydney will not return in 2026 after the New South Wales government withdrew funding following a review of the 2025 edition. Organizers confirmed the cancellation on January 14, ending the event after a three-year run. Launched in 2023, SXSW Sydney expanded the U.S.-based SXSW brand to Australia and staged programming across music, film, technology, and media. Organizers said the 2025 edition drew about 345,000 attendees, a 15 percent year-on-year increase. They also cited a three-year cumulative economic impact of AUD 276 million.
EUROPE
Spain
Expoquimia Sets June 2026 Dates, Nears Full Booking
Expoquimia will run June 2–5, 2026, at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. Organizers say the show has reached 90 percent occupancy six months out and remains on track to pass 400 exhibitors. Fira de Barcelona also plans an Innovation Hub focused on start-ups, technology centers, universities, and established firms. Expoquimia will run alongside Equiplast at the same venue. Organizers expect about 21,000 professional visitors across both events and more than 800 exhibiting companies. The show also plans a June 3 gala dinner at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC).
AIPC Annual Conference Sets Bilbao Dates
The AIPC Annual Conference will take place June 28–July 1 in Bilbao. Organizers set the 2026 theme as “Bridging the gap: Venues connecting human experience and innovation.” The program will cover innovation and renovation, people and hospitality, and legacy and community across three days. Sessions will use mixed formats to support discussion and networking. The agenda also includes optional social events, such as a dinner at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a local wine tasting, and a visit to San Mamés Stadium. The conference will bring together convention center leaders from international markets.
EdTech Congress Barcelona Sets February Dates
EdTech Congress Barcelona will take place February 4–5 at the Palau de Congressos de Montjuïc. Fira de Barcelona and the EdTech Cluster organize the event. Organizers said the program will feature 81 speakers and more than 60 exhibiting companies, with an expected attendance of about 2,500. The agenda focuses on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and ethics in education and training. The 2026 edition introduces a partnership with Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), which runs concurrently at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. The congress will also host the We Love Learning Summit, dedicated to corporate training.
Portugal
Global DMC Partners Hosts Connection 2026 in Lisbon
Global DMC Partners held its annual Connection conference January 8–11 in Lisbon. The invitation-only event took place at Epic Sana Lisboa and brought together destination management companies and planners from multiple regions. The program focused on economic pressures, changing attendee expectations, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in event planning. Sessions included keynotes, panels, and practical workshops. Organizers also incorporated site visits and destination experiences around Lisbon. During the conference, Global DMC Partners announced Sorrento, Italy, as the host destination for Connection 2027.
United Kingdom
Olympia Brings Food and Beverage Operations In-House
Olympia Events moved food and beverage operations in-house on January 1, 2026. The venue group, part of Legends Global, now manages catering across Olympia’s Heritage Halls and the soon-to-open International Convention Centre and premium lounge, The Addison. The change includes a refresh of retail and catering units in the Grand and National Halls. Olympia plans new dining concepts and will appoint an executive chef later this year. The company said the shift gives its team greater control over menu development and service delivery as the wider Olympia redevelopment continues.
Outernet London Names Legends Global as Long-Term Partner
Outernet London has formed a long-term partnership with Legends Global covering venue management and hospitality services across its London portfolio. Under the agreement, Legends Global will support operations, programming, partnerships, premium sales, and food and beverage at Outernet venues, including HERE and The Lower Third. The partnership also covers Outernet’s wider district, including its large-format digital screens and pop-up spaces. Legends Global said the agreement expands its London footprint, which already includes Olympia London, Wembley Arena, and Emirates Stadium. Outernet opened in 2022 and reported more than 80 million annual visitors.
Germany
EuroShop 2026 Adds Guided Tours and City Retail Program
EuroShop 2026 will offer guided innovation tours during the show, which runs February 22–26 in Düsseldorf. Organizers said the English-language tours will take visitors in small groups to selected exhibitors across the fairgrounds. Topics include retail technology, energy management, and sustainable materials and store design. Tours will run once on the opening and closing days and twice daily from February 23–25. EuroShop will also introduce a new Düsseldorf Store Tour, a three-hour guided visit to city-center retail locations focused on fashion and food concepts.
MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates
SITE Global Conference 2026 Sets Abu Dhabi Program
The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) released its keynote and education program for SITE Global Conference 2026, set for February 12–15 at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. SITE named James Taylor as the conference keynote speaker. The agenda includes workshops and sprint sessions on topics including artificial intelligence, business strategy, sustainability and wellness, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, plus risk and security. SITE said the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau will support the event, along with the host hotel. Registration is open, according to the release.
DWTC Lists 71 Events for First Half of 2026
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) said it will host 71 international exhibitions and conferences in the first half of 2026. The calendar includes Intersec (January 12–14), Gulfood (January 26–30), World Health Expo (WHX) (February 9–12), Arabian Travel Market (May 4–7), and Middle East Event Show (June 9–10). DWTC said it will stage select events across Dubai World Trade Centre and the expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre.
WETEX 2026 Sets October Dates in Dubai
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will stage the 28th edition of WETEX from October 20–22, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition covers energy, water, clean technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. DEWA reported that the 2025 edition drew 3,100 exhibitors and more than 50,000 visitors. Organizers also cited 18 international pavilions and a program of more than 100 seminars. DEWA said WETEX 2026 will continue to serve as a platform for industry exchange across energy and environmental sectors.
Image Caption: Tutu Mokey art toy figures are displayed at the “Pop & Play” pavilion during the 52nd Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair, held Jan. 12–15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
