Global Exhibitions Day 2021 Celebrates Resiliency and Recovery

May 12, 2021
Global Exhibitions Day 2021 Celebrates Resiliency and Recovery

Global Exhibitions Day, set for June 2, offers an opportunity for the industry to remark about its uncanny resiliency and value, perhaps never more demonstrated than in the past year and a half.

Worth an estimated $551 billion, according to a joint press release sent by Clarion Events and UFI, the global association of the exhibitions industry, trade shows and exhibitions are poised to stage a grand comeback at a time when economies across the world need them most. While in most parts of the world, vaccination news is encouraging and travel restrictions are being lifted, economic recovery is moving at a slower pace. The United States’ latest jobs report proved disappointing, and hotels and other hospitality-related businesses are struggling to fill jobs.

Enter the events industry to re-employ talented workers and spark greater business dealings.

According to UFI officials, “The business events industry is a ‘meta-industry’: It empowers literally each and every industry globally through the marketplaces and meeting places that it operates around the world – from machine tools in Australia to consumer goods in Europe, from construction materials in Asia to consumer electronics in North America.” 

Such events are valuable not only for the industries they serve but also for travel and tourism, particularly for host destinations. Revenue generated from visitors and exhibitors has a total impact of $334 billion when factoring in the impact on the organizing companies, venues, travel organizations, restaurants, retail and more.

As some 33,000 exhibitions have been held virtually due to the pandemic, the successful re-start by giants like Clarion, Informa, Reed Exhibitions and Tarsus Group have brought undeniable optimism that events are poised to regain their foothold as invaluable face-to-face experiences where vital business gets done.

Las Vegas reopens on June 1, with World of Concrete to follow soon behind. California, New York and Chicago, buoyed by news that its marquee auto show will occur in July, are near full reopenings as well.

But rather than longing for future events, this year’s Global Exhibitions Day will also be a chance to reflect on the determination of organizations to restart the industry in a safe manner. The world’s leading event companies have developed an industry-wide and medically-vetted approach to safety known as the All Secure Standard, which has been effectively put into practice at shows across the globe this year, allowing the events to occur while promoting positivity and confidence for the exhibitions to follow later this year.

Among the success stories: 

  • Informa Markets has since seen a strong recovery in China where trade shows have been running since June 2020. CBME, a leading platform for the baby and maternity industry, attracted more than 90,000 visitors.
  • Tarsus Group has also seen attendance numbers at recent Chinese shows surpassing pre-COVID levels and just hosted Expo Manufactura in Mexico. Said Emilio Cuervo of Bricos: “It is very important to be at this exhibition because it allows us to be in direct contact with our current and potential clients. The impact of the lack of this event last year was very clear for us as several of our clients and leads are generated by Expo Manufactura.”
  • Emerald reinforced the value of in-person gatherings with Surf Expo in January at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Jeremy Serwitz, of PULL Watersports, noted: “We are a ‘touch it, feel it’ retailer — nothing replaces that or the face-to-face relationships with our suppliers.”
  • Reed Gift Fairs, Australia's premier trading platform for buyers and sellers in the gift and homewares industry, occurred in Darling Harbour from April 17-22, drawing more than 8,400 attendees. Said Lee Drury, founder of Glass on the Grass: “I love having buyers and sellers in the same space at the same time, it is electric. As a small business owner who develops their own products, being able to meet with customers face-to-face is critical. And the Reed Gift Fair is the best place to do that.”
  • Clarion’s Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show resonated with long-time attendees. “We need the ability to meet with our vendors to see the actual product and work on the artwork that is specific to our location,” said Donna Steakley of Fossil Rim. “We are seeing a huge increase in customers and sales and know how important the face-to-face environment is to be able to write a large amount of orders.”

For more on GED, click here.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact