The number of AFECA (Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations) members has risen 6.3 per cent in 2016/17 compared to a year ago, its president Walter Yeh announced during the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Kaohsiung on September 5.
AFECA welcomed 10 new members, including two associations – Jinan Exhibition Industry Association and the Indian Exhibition Industry Association – and eight corporate members.
AFECA welcomes 10 new members
With these, there are now 135 members – 36 of which are associations – from 18 countries and regions and representing some 11,000 MICE companies and members.
Andrew Kay, chairperson, marketing/membership recruitment sub-committee, commented AFECA attracted a good spread of new members and the aim is to expand with associations which have “significant influence” and not just raise numbers.
He added that AFECA is eyeing new members from other South-east Asian countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. Myanmar’s Myanmar Exhibition and Conferences Association – formed in November last year – is also applying to join.
Financially, AFECA’s coffers have risen 12.4 per cent, thanks to membership subscription and sponsorships. This was aided by an 8.8 per cent drop in expenses, resulting in its accumulated funds rising 34.4 per cent.
During the AGM, Kitty Wong, AFECA’s chairperson, sustainable development sub-committee, shared that a CSR proposal will be presented to the board of directors. The proposal will incorporate activities that give back to local communities of the region’s exhibition and convention industry, as part of AFECA’s annual AGM programme. It will be discussed at the next board meeting.
