Jeremie de Fombelle has been named as The Lux Collective’s chief sales and marketing officer.
With over two decades of leadership and operational experience in luxury hospitality management, he will focus on awareness-driving strategies for the company’s portfolio of brands globally across channels.
Based in Mauritius since 2014, he was most recently regional general manager for Mauritius and Reunion Island for Lux* Resorts & Hotels.
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the 30th edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research, where the results highlight the quickening pace of the industry’s recovery in 2022 and a positive outlook for 2023.
While there is strong evidence that Covid-19 is behind in most markets, where the full recovery is expected in 2023, there remain a few markets, including China, where this full recovery is not anticipated in 2023. Globally, the level of operations continues to improve, with a proportion of companies declaring a “normal activity” gradually increasing from 30% in January 2022 to 72% in December 2022 and expected to reach 80% in June 2023 – aligning with pre-pandemic levels.
Companies from most markets expect to deliver 2022 results close to their 2019 levels. In terms of operating profit, around half of the companies are declaring an increase or stable level for 2022 compared to 2019 levels and increasing to seven out of 10 for 2023. Those results for 2022 were achieved with no public financial support for 69% of companies, and for half of those that did, this aid represented less than 10% of their overall costs.
The most pressing business issues also reflect how the industry is now focusing on post-pandemic challenges and opportunities: “Internal management challenges” (highlighted by 20% of respondents), “Impact of digitalisation” (16%), and “State of the economy in the home market” and “Global economic developments” (both 15% of answers) are the most common ones. By comparison, the “Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business” is now marked by only five per cent of companies as one of the most important issues (compared to 19% one year ago).
Operations
The highest levels of “normal activity” for 1H2023 on average are expected in Brazil (98%), Turkey and the US (95%), the UK (90%), Italy and Thailand (88%), and Spain and UAE (85%). In China, only 29% expect a normal activity, and 40% a reduced one.
This overall very positive outlook is driven by the fact that exhibitions can now be held everywhere in the world, except in some places in China. In parallel, new hygiene measures are reported in several regions (in more than 20% of respondents in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand). In China alone, as of December 2022, and combining all markets, 55% of respondents declared that exhibitions could be held (usually with hygiene measures), 17% reported that “only local events” were and 28% said that events were still not allowed.
Exhibition organisers who participated in this edition of the Barometer were also asked to evaluate the “hosted buyers” packages, whereby the organiser invites and hosts selected visitors in return for a guaranteed amount of business meetings with exhibiting companies.
Global results indicate that half of the respondents apply this concept, and while one in four of them are happy with the programmes, two-thirds declare having mixed results. Results vary significantly between specific markets, providing insights into opportunities for hosted buyer programmes.
Turnover, operating profits and public financial support
Globally, on average and excluding China, the revenues for 2022 and 2023 represent 80% and 94% of 2019 levels.
Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Turkey have performed well above this average in 2022 and the UK will join that group in 2023.
In terms of operating profit, the markets in all the countries analysed are above average levels in either 2022 or 2023, or both, except China, Germany, Italy, Thailand, and the US.
Globally, four per cent of respondents expect a loss for 2023, compared to 11% for 2022. The highest proportion of companies expecting a loss in 2023 is declared in China (18%), Germany (17%) and Italy (11%).
While the highest proportions of companies receiving public financial support are identified in Europe and Asia-Pacific, there are significant differences across all regional markets, and the percentages of companies declaring that they received “no public support” varies:
Key business issues
“Internal management challenges” is the key business issue for all regions, and it is the most selected issue for most markets. Within “Internal management challenges,” 67% of respondents selected “Human resources” issues, 44% selected “Business model adjustments”, and 31% selected “Finance”.
For Germany, Italy, the UK and the US, however, “Global economic developments” has become the most pressing issue.
An analysis by industry segment (organiser, venue only and service provider) shows no differences with regard to the three most pressing issues, which remain “Internal management challenges”, “Impact of digitalisation” and “State of the economy in the home market”.
On the occasion of the 30th edition of the Barometer research, a special trend review has been undertaken to show how the industry’s priorities have changed in recent years. The analysis of the trend around top business issues over the 2015-2022 period identifies several important shifts:
Future exhibition formats: physical and digital events
In addition to the 88% of companies who are confident that “Covid-19 confirms the value of face-to-face events”:
The 30th Global Barometer survey, concluded in January 2023, provides insights from 367 companies, across 56 countries and regions. It was conducted in collaboration with 21 UFI member associations.
Dusit International has appointed Makoto Yamashita as pre-opening general manager of ASAI Kyoto Shijo and area general manager – Kyoto, Japan.
Bringing more than 30 years of marketing and operational experience to the role, he will be responsible for spearheading the opening of ASAI Kyoto Shijo and Dusit Thani Kyoto, ensuring both properties meet their financial and operational objectives.
Prior to joining Dusit, Yamashita was area general manager of Mori Trust Hotels & Resorts in Tokyo and Nagano.
The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) have created a new industry partnership to support the tourism and business events sector, and its role in attracting national and international visitors to Victoria.
Together, they will collaborate on leadership and development opportunities for the sector.
Natalie O’Brien, recently appointed CEO of MCEC, believes the partnership with VTIC offers a great platform to share knowledge, experience and a strategic approach to supporting tourism and events.
“Business events make a huge contribution to the Australian tourism sector, sometimes overlooked. Nationally, business events contribute around A$36 billion (US$25 billion) to Australia’s economy. Pre-pandemic, MCEC alone contributed more than A$1 billion to the Victorian economy, and we’re well on our way to that same level of impact,” O’Brien said.
“This partnership with VTIC ensures we can continue to promote the role of business events and help foster talent development and leadership in the broader tourism space.”
An important aspect of the partnership is MCEC’s support in delivering VTIC’s Vision Summit 2023.
Vision Summit 2023, to be held at MCEC on March 2, 2023, will explore critical shifts in the tourism and events sector and also look to the future to determine how every opportunity can be maximised.
“Without a doubt, our industry in Victoria has rediscovered its mojo – Vision Summit 2023 will consider what Victoria can do to ensure we stay ahead of the pack in our resurgence to global positioning as a destination of choice in Australia,” said Felicia Mariani, CEO of VTIC.
Tourism Australia, a major partner alongside MCEC of the Vision Summit 2023, will update the industry on data and insights relating to industry recovery, while Visit Victoria will outline how these trends will impact Victoria’s strategies and initiatives. Other topics for the Summit include the importance of sustainability in destination choice, a key area of focus for MCEC, which has a sustainability strategy with a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.
The VTIC-MCEC partnership also supports the sector by sharing knowledge and experience and developing skills and expertise to train future industry leaders.
“VTIC’s Melbourne Tourism Leadership Program is a valued programme, developing effective leaders not only for businesses like MCEC but also for the wider industry. We have several graduates of the programme and are delighted to be supporting its continued delivery,” O’Brien said.
The Australian Convention Centre Group (ACCG), comprising representatives from the nation’s leading convention and exhibition centres, have passed a resolution to support the amalgamation of relevant industry associations, in the interest of the broader event sector.
This follows a similar resolution by the Exhibitions and Events Association of Australia (EEAA) in December, when EEAA members unanimously moved a motion to allow its Board to merge with the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) and Australian Convention Centre Group (ACCG), creating a new entity. On January 30, 2023, the AACB also unanimously passed the same motion.
The ACCG, comprised of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, International Convention Centre Sydney, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Cairns Convention Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and Darwin Convention Centre has echoed the calls from AACB and EEAA to pursue a single, unified voice for the industry.
Business events play an enormous role in Australia’s economy, contributing more than A$36 billion (US$25 billion) nationally in the year prior to Covid-19 But beyond the immediate economic benefits, business events catalyse change and leave lasting legacies, through knowledge exchange, communication of research and subsequent investment in innovation.
Currently, the industry voice is splintered across multiple associations, which can at times make it challenging to advocate the sector’s value.
Advocating for the change, members of the ACCG argued and agree that the business events sector would benefit enormously from a single, amalgamated peak body to support growth and industry development.
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has secured several international bid wins over the festive season that will bring in an additional A$13 million (US$12 million) in direct expenditure to the local economy from 2023 through to 2026.
These wins add to other health and life science events already secured for 2023, which include the FDI World Dental Congress, World Conference on Family Doctors (WONCA) and the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.
In 2024, the Global Health Security Conference 2024 will have 800 delegates gathering at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) from June 18-21, where the conference will generate A$3.4 million for the local economy. The Global Health Security Network connects people from across the fields of public health, medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, government, security, international relations, sociology and anthropology to examine the progress in strengthening health systems and identify the gaps and opportunities for enhancing our ability to respond to future adverse health crises.
Further in 2026, the International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO) will attract 800 delegates from June 10-12. Estimated to be worth AU$2 million to the local economy, ISPNO is by far the largest international scientific meeting of multidisciplinary professionals in research, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with tumours of the Central Nervous System
“It is great to see a strong global interest in Sydney for health and life sciences events coming through, particularly as the New South Wales Government and the university and private sector are investing in the development of the Westmead Health and Innovation District which will soon be a global centre for new discoveries, commercialisation, treatment, education and training,” said BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith.
The festive season also saw the welcome return of the global corporate and incentive event market with BESydney bringing in five major wins with a combined estimated direct expenditure of AU$7.5 million. The events – which include Mahindra & Mahindra Dealers Incentive and Hyundai National Dealers Conference – will bring almost 1,500 delegates from Hong Kong, India, Singapore, UAE, London and Malaysia to Sydney in February, March and April.
Hosted buyer applications have opened for MEETINGS 2023, the first time the event will be hosted in Wellington, New Zealand from June 21-22, 2023.
Organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), MEETINGS 2023, the event will take place at the new Tākina – Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Fully Hosted Buyers receive complimentary air travel, transfers, accommodation, registration to social events and 30 personalised appointments.
For the first time, event organisers can choose to attend MEETINGS as Semi-Hosted Buyers, which gives them complimentary accommodation, registration to social events and 20 personalised appointments.
“After four years, we can’t wait to welcome back international clients. With support from Tourism New Zealand, we are expecting buyers from key international destinations to visit the show,” said BEIA’s chief executive Lisa Hopkins.
All hosted buyers will be invited to join Business Events Wellington for a day of exploration on June 20, and Australian buyers have the chance to join one of two weekend famils on the weekend before MEETINGS 2023, from June 17-19.
Applications for Hoster Buyers close on April 19, 2023, with limited spaces available.
The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation representing 80 of the island’s hotels and resorts, has reappointed its senior leadership team.
Following a recent election, Bjorn Courage, who also serves as general manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, was given an overwhelming vote of confidence to continue in the role of president. Brett Wilson, general manager of the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, was named as treasurer and Daniel Meury, general manager of the Andara Resort & Hotels, was re-elected as secretary.
This move comes at a vital time for Phuket’s hospitality industry, which is enjoying a strong rebound from the global pandemic. The continuity of having Phuket Hotels Association’s executive team remain in place for another term will enable key projects and policies to be implemented effectively.
Onyx Hospitality Group has reinforced its expansion plan with a number of strategic promotions to achieve the group’s core business objectives.
Chutima Fuangkham Kennedy is the new promotion – vice president, marketing, and has been with the company for 13 years. Her experience and expertise fall within the digital marketing arena, where she was responsible for building the group’s digital marketing team and successfully deliver double-digit ROI throughout her career.
With more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance, Wuthivet Vetchabutsakorn joined Onyx in 2021 and is the group head of finance. He was with Asset World Corporation Public Company Limited where he served as chief financial officer.
Hathairat Naenkwaen first joined the company in 2017 as OTA partnership director. In her new role as promotion – senior director, sales & distribution, she will drive the strategic revenue performance across distribution as well as sales and key accounts.
The disruption of business events in China for more than three years has led many European and US organisers there to deploy their resources elsewhere, particularly to South-east Asia, creating a prime opportunity for the region’s business events industry to shine.
Speaking at the inaugural Southeast Asia Business Event Forum (SEABEF) on February 3, an event that was part of ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 last week, Edward Liu, honorary president of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations, said the “Aseanistion” of the industry is underway. He noted that some senior management staff were relocated to South-east Asia, which is an attractive market of more than 684 million people.
“We can expect more conferences and exhibitions to be staged in South-east Asia this decade,” he added.
In his keynote presentation, Liu suggested that Indonesia, which hosts the seat of ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta, could lead the way in the formation of an ASEAN MICE Federation to build a stronger business event ecosystem in the region. This could be paired with the launch of an ASEAN expo that focuses on key industries and innovations, with editions rotated among member nations. Funding could come from ASEAN and participating countries.
Liu also asked the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to form an international business events advisory panel, tasked with charting the development of the industry in the country.
In response, Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia minister of tourism and creative economy, said he is “in full support of the leadership to collaborate (with the business events community) for an ASEAN expo”.
He added that rotating the expo among the 10 ASEAN member countries will position South-east Asia “as an epicentre of growth” and the hub for world-class business events.
He would work with related associations to determine government support for the formulation of the ASEAN MICE federation, and table both initiatives at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.
SEABEF could be the “embryo” for the eventual expo and federation, Sandiaga opined.
In addition, Sandiaga shared that Indonesia is working on digitalising the business events permits process and establishing a platform for knowledge exchange with the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Supporting the growth of the business events industry will result in investment opportunities and job creation for the country and its people.
