British media: Without China participation, it is difficult to recover the global convention and exhibition industry

The British "Financial Times" article on September 5th, original topic: Without China participation, it is difficult for the global convention and exhibition industry to recover. With most of the world's major economy relaxation of epidemic restrictions, after two years of difficult periods, the global convention and exhibitions are now global. The mantra of the industry is "the business is back." However, people's participation in the Frankfurt International Conference and Reward Tourism Exhibition (IMEX) can better explain the problem. About 9,500 people attended the conference exhibition. In contrast, the epidemic was 14,000 before the epidemic. "Obviously, this industry has not been in good situations in the past few years, and some people have unemployed. But now the demand has shown an explosive growth trend." IMEX CEO Karina Ball said that recent activities have attracted global exhibitors. But she also said: "This year's participants from China are minimal."

As the world is reopening, the status quo of the industry is halfway. The vital Chinese market is still restricted by strict epidemic prevention measures. Two years ago, China brought a line of hope to the exhibition industry. At that time, after the first stage of the epidemic, China became the world's first major country to re -open. Now the situation is reversed. "If China (enterprise) does not return, we don't know how to make up for the relevant gaps." When mentioned many international companies produced in China, the person in charge of the Frankfurt Exhibition Group said that "everyone uses China's labor and production capacity- And many of them are still there, and now we still depend on China. "

Right now, Chinese buyers and sellers are still absent from the exhibition activities elsewhere in the world. Malzin said: "Since (this year) January, we have not seen Chinese companies. Taking a textile industry exhibition as an example, we usually attract about 400 exhibitors, but now there are only 25 The company's business will return to the right track in 2025 -if the global economy will not be derailed due to a further crisis.

China is not only an indispensable part of many companies in the supply chain, but the world's second largest economy has also become an important buyer in the convention and exhibition industry. In 2019, mainland China accounted for 16%of the exhibition revenue of Yingfoman Group (the world's largest convention and exhibition group). The prospects of Yingfaman Group are more optimistic about China. At the same time, Malzin and Ball are optimistic about the face -to -face meeting will eventually return. Stephen Carter, CEO of Yingfaman Group, said: "The advantage of participating in on -site activities will not disappear." Carter said: "Even if China is relatively slower than other countries, we also know that China will be reopened." (Author Patricia Nielsen, Cui Xiaodong Translation)

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