The seventh annual Global Exhibitions Day (GED) is set to place on June 1, 2022, a first-of-its-kind global coalition facilitated by UFI.
The focus will be on the irreplaceable value of physical exhibitions and face-to-face business events in creating platforms for economic growth and recovery.
“Global Exhibitions Day puts the spotlight on the exhibitions industry,” said Monica Lee-Müller, UFI president. “It is a recognition and a celebration of this spirit of innovation and resilience in the industry, and everyone is welcomed to join – working together to showcase who we are as an industry and what vital role we play.”
This day of advocacy is supported by more than 40 national and international industry associations, and leading exhibitions organisers. All businesses and professionals in the sector are encouraged to join the GED celebrations on June 1, 2022 by highlighting the impact of exhibitions on local economies – both in building businesses and connecting people from around the world.
Exhibition organisers and associations have managed to quickly bring live event platforms back, and events are seeing levels of attendance similar – if not higher – to those before the pandemic. Some shows around the world are bigger than they have been before the pandemic, driven by pent-up demand especially from small- and medium-sized businesses to meet and do business face-to-face.
Charlie McCurdy, CEO of Informa Markets, said: “The spirit of connection and collaboration are at the heart of our industry’s purpose – when people come together to achieve common goals, they thrive… Over the last few years, we have united as an industry to bring safe, successful events back to life. We’re once again celebrating the magic of face-to-face connection, and creating a sustainable future, together. We are more than ever seeing the value of our services through the eyes of our customers, who are returning to the show floor with urgency and enthusiasm.”
“The benefits of face-to-face interactions and the critical business function in-person events provide our customers are what drive our industry forward with determination and vigour. People want to meet to share ideas, products, and innovations; to be inspired, share best practices, and discuss challenges,” acknowledged Hervé Sedky, president & CEO – Emerald.
Hugh Jones, CEO – RX, added: “Nothing speaks of the power of face-to-face events to drive business recovery, growth and innovation, as the sight of customers streaming back through our show doors. But in these fractured times, our events also celebrate the importance of community, of coming together, of shared experiences where everyone is made to feel welcome.
In a bid to rebuild its global network to meet growing travel demand, Emirates will restart operations to Bali, London Stansted, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires progressively from May 1, as well as boost the frequency of flights to Nigeria, Mauritius and Singapore.
Starting from May 1, Emirates will operate five weekly flights to Bali, utilising a two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and further scale that up to a weekly service.
From August 1, the airline will resume operations to London Stansted with five weekly flights, utilising a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that will come with First Class cabins. The route will be served daily from September 1.
Emirates will serve the UK with 110 weekly flights by October this year, to hubs such as London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Come November 2, Emirates will operate four weekly flights to Buenos Aires via Rio de Janeiro on the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and scale that up to a daily service.
Meanwhile, to cater to rising demand, services to Nigeria’s Lagos will be ramped up to 11 weekly flights from July 1 and double daily from September 1. Services to Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, will be operated five times weekly from May 1 and then daily from September 1.
Services to Mauritius will go from daily to nine weekly flights between April 9 and end-June, and then scaled up further to double daily from July.
The airline will also increase passenger services to Singapore from seven weekly flights, to 14 weekly flights, starting from June 23.