Paris/Hong Kong, June 24, 2008: The trade fair industry in Asia expanded strongly again in 2007.Net area sold by organisers in Asia grew by nearly 18% reaching a total of 13.2 million m2 according to the fourth edition of UFI’s annual report on the trade fair market in Asia. The research and analysis was once again undertaken for UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, by Business Strategies Group (BSG) in Hong Kong.

The report shows that China remains the largest trade fair market by a substantial margin. Year-onyear, net square metres sold in China grew by 21% outperforming the regional average of 14%. India was, however, Asia’s fastest –growing market in 2007, up 50% followed by South Korea which grew by 32%. Over 6.7 million m2 were sold in China in 2007 – accounting for 51% of the total across Asia. The second largest market, Japan, grew by just 1% last year with sales of 2.2 million m2. Revenues from trade fairs in Asia increased from US$2.57 billion in 2006 to US$3.25 billion in 2007 – an increase of 26.5%. China continued to extend its lead over other markets in 2007. Last year, trade fair revenues in China were nearly US$1.12 billion. This is a massive increase of 47% over the US$760 million recorded in 2006.

This annual industry report provides detailed information on the development of trade fairs and supporting facilities in 15 markets: China, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The report also includes analysis on actual market performance in 2007 as well as forecasts and commentary on key trends in each market.

Vincent Gérard, UFI Managing Director, commented, “The publication of the fourth edition of this report is an important contribution to UFI’s global research efforts. It shows that Asia remains one of the most dynamic areas for growth in our industry. It is exciting to see the predicted takeoff in India becoming a reality along with the many other exciting markets in the region”. As an added-value service, each UFI member will be entitled to receive a six page executive summary of the research and to purchase the full report at a substantial discount.

The report has again been edited by UFI Asia/Pacific Regional Manager and BSG Principal, Paul Woodward. He commented, “In the last five years, we have seen the trade fair industry undergo a remarkable transformation. In 2003, the region recorded space sales of 5.7 million m2 at 101 venues. Last year, the number of venues had surged by more than 50% to 156 venues and sales had more than doubled to 13.2 million m2.”

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Paris/Plovdiv, 24 June 2008: The jury of the 12th International Fair Poster Competition has announced the 2008 winners for this one-of-a-kind design competition. Organised by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and International Fair Plovdiv (Bulgaria), this unique forum recognises contemporary poster art which supports the international exhibition industry. A total of 161 posters were submitted in two categories: a) general promotional posters supporting the exhibition industry; and b) posters promoting a specific exhibition event.

The international jury of exhibition industry professionals and graphic designers assessed the 161 posters from 26 countries that were submitted by 49 exhibition organisations on three continents – Europe, Asia and South America. Selections were based on the originality of the design concept, successful interpretation of the exhibition topic and clear presentation of the marketing message and exhibition technical details.

The series of posters presented by Messe Frankfurt and designed by Saatchi & Saatchi, Frankfurt, Germany, was unanimously chosen as the Grand Award winner based on its ability to graphically support the exhibition as a strong marketing medium. Bogota, Columbia’s Corferias was awarded the Grand Award for its design supporting a specific exhibition for its poster created by Toro Vasarez Mora Fischer for the 21st International Book Fair.

The complete list of poster winners and runners-up follows:


The Grand Award in Category 1 - Generic Exhibition Promotion
“FACES” – series of 6 posters
MESSE FRANKFURT GMBH – Frankfurt, Germany
Designer:Saatchi & Saatchi, Frankfurt, Germany

Runner-up:
“MEET THE FUTURE”
POZNAN INTERNATIONAL FAIR – Poznan, Poland
Designer: Grupa Eskadra Sp. z o.o.

The Grand Award in Category 2 – Exhibition Event Posters

21ST INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OF BOGOTA
Reading gives you a lot to talk about
CORFERIAS – Bogota, Columbia
Designer: Toro Vasarez Mora Fischer

Runners-up:
BAU 2007 /Dragonfly/
MESSE MÜNCHEN – Munich, Germany
Designer: wob AG, Munich office

EXPO PRINT & IMAGING 2008
INTER EXPO AND CONGRESS CENTER – Sofia, Bulgaria
Designer: Lada Yankova

MSOO 2008 - International Salon of Ophthalmologic Optics
EXPOCENTR – Moscow, Russia
Designer: Andrey Kamayev

FIERAGRICOLA 2008
VERONA FAIR – Verona, Italy
Designer: Studio FERRI, Verona, Italy

MADRID INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW – SERIES OF 4 POSTERS
IFEMA - Feria de Madrid- Madrid
Designer: Replica, Madrid, Spain


The Grand Award winners will be presented with unique statuettes created by the sculptor Yanko Nenov. Certificates of recognition will be provided to the runners-up, their advertising agencies and designers. Lili Eigl, Chairperson for the jury, stated that, “the quality of this year’s entries was outstanding. We are delighted with the strong graphic quality which is created to support this dynamic marketing medium.”

The Grand Awards will be presented at the UFI Annual Congress to be held from 12 -15 November in Istanbul, Turkey.

The winners can be visible at: http://www.fair.bg/en/events/Awarded_Posters_2008.htm

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Paris, June 17, 2008: At its recent Governing Board meetings in Thessaloniki, Greece, UFI approved the admission of new members, granted UFI approval status to a number of international events and agreed to initiate several important new programmes for its members in the months ahead.

Among these is a decision to develop a UFI action plan on sustainable development within the exhibition industry. As the international association representing the exhibition industry's leaders in 84 countries around the globe, UFI is well aware of the challenges facing the world in terms of sustainability.

Building on the efforts of an informal working group of UFI members which took place in Paris in May, and which reviewed the initiatives of its members, UFI confirms the high level of achievement already reached by some members in various areas of sustainability. The reduction of energy consumption, the development of green energy and utilisation of green exhibiting materials, recycling and waste management, and a variety of environmental initiatives supporting community needs, are some of the programmes already initiated by a number of UFI members. UFI President Cliff Wallace, declared, "It is UFI's vision to achieve a high level of membership awareness and commitment to promote social and environmental responsibility within the exhibition industry."

The UFI Board of Directors approved the creation of a new Working Group on Sustainability and appointed Michael Duck, Senior VP of CMP Asia and member of the UFI Executive Committee, at its head. Duck commented, "UFI's mission is to serve our members by promoting and supporting efforts driving sustainability within the exhibition industry. As we advance towards this objective, UFI will strive to become a reference for best practice, tools, standards and learning in the field of sustainable development."

On another item, UFI has approved the admission of 9 new members representing 2 exhibition associations and 7 organisers and venue managers. Vincent Gérard, UFI Managing Director, welcomed these new members into UFI saying, "UFI is always pleased to add high quality, professional exhibition organisations to the UFI global family. By working together we can promote our marketing media efficiently and effectively to our exhibitors and ultimately to our visitors." With these additions, UFI now has a total membership of 536 members and has granted its "UFI Approved" quality label to 801 events.


9 NEW UFI MEMBERS AND THEIR UFI APPROVED EVENTS
Listed in alphabetical order by country
Bureau of China International - organizer - China International Small and Small and Medium Enterprises Fair - Guangzhou (China)
SEPEL Eurexpo - venue - Lyon (France)
REECO GmbH - organizer - RENEXPO - Reutlingen (Germany)
ATEX - International Exhibition Organizers - Libya Build - International Building & Construction Exhibition - Tripoli (Libya)
Poliproject Exhibitions Ltd. - organizer - The International Specialized - Chisinau (Moldova) - Exhibition Expovin Moldova
KIMI - Korea Industrial - organizer - Busan International Machinery Marketing Institute Fair - BUTECH - Seoul (South Korea)
NECC - The National Exhibitions & Conferences Committee - association - Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Diversified Business group Communications US - Portland, Maine (USA)
TSEA - Trade Show Exhibitors Association - Association - Chicago (USA)


11 New UFI Approved Events, organized by existing UFI members
Listed in alphabetical order by country
ROMEXPO S.A. - BIFE-TIMB - Bucharest (Romania)
Kazanskaya Yamarka - VolgoStroyExpo - Kazan (Russia)
FAREXPO - AutoWorld - ExpoHoReCa - St. Petersburg (Russia)
LSC Lenexpo - International Specialized - St. Petersburg (Russia)
and Exhibition "Energetika & Electronika" 50% co-organized with RESTEC
BEC - Bilbao Exhibition Centre - Cumbre Industrial y Tecnológica - Bilbao (Spain)
HKF Fuarcilik A.S. - BUSWORLD TURKEY 50% co-organized with Busworld Kortrijk - Istanbul (Turkey)
Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. - Istanbul Leather Fashion Fair - Istanbul (Turkey)
Euroindex Ltd. - FRANCHISING - Kiev (Ukraine)
International Exhibition Center - AQUA Ukraine - Kiev (Ukraine)

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Paris/Thessaloniki, June 11, 2008: Over 175 representatives of the exhibition industry’s leading organisations from around the globe will be hosted by HELEXPO in Thessaloniki, Greece, from June 16 to 18 at the annual UFI Open Seminar in Europe. For the 2008 event, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has prepared a strong seminar programme which is designed to examine issues important to today’s exhibition industry.

The theme of this year’s UFI Open Seminar in Europe is: “Key Success Factors in Difficult Market Conditions - Options for Organizers and Venue Owners”. Speakers will cover a variety of topics including a review of exhibition business opportunities in the South Eastern European Market. UFI’s President, Mr. Cliff Wallace, and the Managing Director of UFI, Mr. Vincent Gérard, will join participants from 33 countries in this forum for knowledge exchange.

The seminar, a “closed” event for registered exhibition industry professionals only, will be held at the “Ioannis Vellidis” Conference Centre in Thessaloniki. The programme will begin on the evening of June 16, with a welcome address by HELEXPO’s President, Mr. Aristotelis Thomopoulos, and Managing Director, Mr. Themis Kartsiotis. The seminar will continue Tuesday, June 17 from 9.15 am to 6.30 pm and will conclude in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, promotes, serves and represents the trade fair industry worldwide. Via its member organisations, including the world’s leading show organisers and exhibition centres, national and international professional associations and industry partners, UFI is present in 84 countries on 6 continents. UFI members are responsible for the management and operation of over 4,500 exhibitions and 186 venues around the world. As the global association for the leaders of the exhibition industry, UFI provides professional training and education programmes and seminars, develops industry research and, through its working committees, develops exhibition industry guidelines on major issues such as auditing and intellectual property rights.

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Paris and Cologne - 18 April 2008: Building on the success of its first two sessions, the International Summer University for Trade Fair Management (ISU) is now calling for participants in its 2008 session to be held in Cologne, Germany from August 25 - 29. This year’s ISU theme, The Global Trade Fair Industry - Challenges Now and Beyond, will bring together renowned academics and executives from throughout the global exhibition community to identify the issues facing today’s tradeshow business and to analyze developments leading to their successful management.

The key objective of the ISU is to provide an educational platform to enhance international dialogue among trade fair managers and experts from all sectors of the exhibition industry. "In order to create an intense and productive exchange among our participants, the ISU is especially tailored to the interests and challenges facing exhibition executives and future executives," explains Professor Werner Delfmann, member of the Board of the Institute of Trade Fair Management - University of Cologne. "The heart of the ISU forum beats around the animated and fruitful discussions which arise when such a focussed group of participants meets to analyse and debate key issues."

Each of the five seminar days will focus on a specific exhibition industry related issue. This year’s International Summer University will concentrate on strategy, logistics, internationalisation, marketing and future trends and challenges. Speakers with strong international perspective will bring their handson experience to the seminar as the group discusses the most recent developments in the exhibition industry. ISU participants will gain a keen understanding of the solution options available to many of today’s exhibition industry challenges.

"Interaction among participants is also very important for us," explains ISU project manager Vera Kimmeskamp. "Outside of the classroom sessions, informal gatherings, dinners and excursions will create networking ties which will survive for years to come," she added. "The ISU has shown itself to be a global link in the networking chain of the international exhibition industry".

Since the ISU’s debut in 2006, eighty trade fair experts from 25 countries - including India, Korea and Russia - have shared knowledge and information within the framework of this unique programme. "The positive feedback from the past two programmes encourages us to match the expectations of a new ISU group of participants. The 2008 ISU will continue to provide a unique educational forum for executives in the international exhibition industry," Professor Werner Delfmann said.

UFI’s Managing Director, Vincent Gérard, summed up the goals of this programme saying, "continuous learning is key to continuous progress. The ISU provides UFI members and nonmembers with a global perspective which will push our exhibition industry to do what we do best - provide quality marketing opportunities for today’s international business world."

The complete ISU programme, registration and logistical information are available at:
www.tradefair.uni-koeln.de
or
www.ufi.org/pages/ufiactivities/summer_university.asp

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