The exhibition industry in the Asia/Pacific region just keeps growing, with research conducted for the 9^th edition of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s Trade Fair Industry in Asia report indicating more than 16 million net square meters were sold in the region in 2012.

For information on the full report, click HERE.

The total 16,307,250 million net sq. m. of space sold last year was up 2.7 percent, compared from 15,876,500 sq. m. in 2011.

“The Asia trade fair industry sold more than 16 million sq. m. in 2012,” said UFI Asia/Pacific Regional Manager and BSG Managing Director Mark Cochrane, who also edited the report.

He added, “That represents a significant milestone as the industry has doubled in size since the first edition of this report was published in 2005.”

Of the 2012 total, more than 55 percent was sold in China and 12 percent in Japan, which makes up 874, or 45 percent, of the 1,948 shows in UFI’s database in the Asia/Pacific region.

Once again, growth was highest in Southeast Asia in 2012. Malaysia and Singapore were the fastest-growing markets and were up by 8.2 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.

Indonesia’s trade fair market grew by 6.6 percent, Vietnam was up by 4.9 percent and the Philippines increased by 3.9 percent.

“Our research shows two clear trends: 1) the continued trade fair boom in Southeast Asia and 2) the maturing of the trade fair market in mainland China. Both of these trends confirm that the trade fair market in Asia is one of the most exciting for organizers looking for high-growth opportunities,” said Paul Woodward, UFI’s managing director.

He added, “The growth in UFI’s membership in Asia reinforces the scale of the opportunities in Asia. We now have more than 200 members in Asia – accounting for approximately one third of UFI’s global membership. The number of members in Asia has risen by a factor of four in the past ten years – up from less than 50 in 2004.”

Even with a downturn in 2011, Asia’s largest market, China, grew by 3.0 percent in 2012, while Japan increased space sold by 3.2 percent and India by 2.8 percent - all of which are higher than the regional average of 2.7 percent.

However, two other large markets, Korea (+0.8 percent) and Hong Kong (-0.4 percent) were relatively flat in 2012.

By the end of 2013, available venue capacity in Asia will reach 6,617,755 sq. m, according to UFI. The number of venues operating in Asia this year will be 191 across 15 different markets. Of those, more than 100 are in China – which now accounts for 69 percent of total capacity in the region.

In addition, China will open more venues in 2013 increasing total space available by 66,000 sq. m., with a mega venue on tap in 2015 - the Hongqiao venue in Shanghai will add 400,000 sq. m. of indoor space and 100,000 sq. m. of outdoor space when it opens.

China isn’t the only country adding more space – Southeast Asia looks to continue its growth streak.

“With new venue capacity being added over the next two years in key markets – including Jakarta, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur – we expect that the growth will continue,” Cochrane said.

He added, “Southeast Asia should continue to post strong growth throughout 2013 and 2014, and we anticipate that China will see growth in its key markets (especially in Shanghai and Guangdong province) as long as the global economy at least holds constant.”

For information on the full report, click HERE.