Venue operators from around the world gathered at the inaugural Global Venue Experts Forum in Beijing – held at the China National Convention Center Phase II (CNCC2) – to discuss strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of the events industry.
Michael Kruppe, general manager of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), shared insights on how the venue has adapted to changing market dynamics.
He highlighted the 300,000m2 venue’s shift away from just B2B tradeshows towards hybrid events, B2C conferences, and non-traditional events like sports and science shows.
Kruppe further emphasised the importance of customer satisfaction and safety, urging venues to continually seek feedback and invest in infrastructure. He also underscored the growing significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, noting the increasing pressure on venues to adopt sustainable practices.
Meanwhile, Chua Wee Phong, group CEO of Singapore-headquartered Constellar, which manages the Singapore Expo, discussed the challenges of rising costs and evolving event needs. He advocated for dynamic rental pricing to support emerging events, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and offering value-added services like festivalisation and customised experiences.
“These experiences are not just for exhibitors and delegates, but they also target the B2C market like families. Apart from our major tradeshows, we change our content every six months.
“To maximise space utilisation and revenue, we have transformed our multipurpose halls into versatile venues. Our dedicated festivalisation team then assists event organisers in creating unique experiences, attracting larger audiences, and boosting overall event success,” Chua elaborated.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Aaron Khoo, chairman, Digital Media Investment Committee of N PrimePartners Capital, shared about Esports and Egaming-related events, inspiring venue providers to diversify their business.
Other venue chiefs, such as Shelley Tang, general manager of the Hangzhou International Expo Center, and Dong-Ki Lee, president and CEO of Coex Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul, also highlighted the importance of diversifying revenue streams. This includes exploring new business opportunities like F&B services, digital signage, and sustainable event solutions.
