Results of UFI’s 10th Global Barometer survey broadly confirm that the exhibition industry continues to grow with a majority of companies reporting increased turnover for 2012. For 2013, the Asia/Pacific region now anticipates a slowdown in growth levels to the same level as Europe and the Middle East/Africa regions where 60% of companies experience turnover increases.
PARIS – Results of UFI’s 10th Global Barometer survey broadly confirm that the exhibition industry continues to grow with a majority of companies reporting increased turnover for 2012.
Reviewing the consolidated results over ten surveys, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, now perceives a clear shift between the two regions which had demonstrated a strong recovery in 2010 and 2011 with an average of 80% of companies increasing turnover. For 2013, the Asia/Pacific region now anticipates a slowdown in growth levels to the same level as Europe and the Middle East/Africa regions where 60% of companies experience turnover increases. The slower growth noted in 2012 in the Americas now appears to have reversed itself. The region is showing the highest proportion of companies anticipating an increase in turnover for 2013. The Americas are currently the only region to declare that the impact of the “economic crisis” on their exhibition business is now behind them. However, in terms of annual profit only 4 companies out of 10 in all regions have announced an increase of over 10% in profits in 2012.
The current survey reveals that industry concerns remain constant with “general economic considerations”, followed by “local competition” and “internal management challenges” at the top. 75% of the organisations surveyed include the development of new business activities among their strategic objectives. Of significant interest is the expectation of 54% of those surveyed to expand exhibition operations to new countries.
Paul Woodward, UFI Managing Director, concludes that, “while Asia/Pacific has been the main growth area since 2010, the situation there is shifting with slower growth expected in 2013. Current projections indicate that the highest exhibition industry growth should be achieved in the Americas during the next twelve months. As a whole, the industry remains remarkably dynamic proving that the exhibition media qualifies as one of the top marketing tools for companies aiming to develop their business.”
The next UFI Global Barometer Survey will be conducted by UFI in June 2013.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
