WORLD – International exhibition association UFI’s 7th Global Barometer Survey confirms a return to gross turnover growth for a majority of companies in the exhibition industry.
Beginning at the end of 2009 for Asia-Pacific, in early 2010 for the Americas and at the end of 2010 for Europe, the trend shows almost a third of countries in Europe, 40 per cent in the Americas and 60 per cent in Asia-Pacific are now declaring increases in operating profit for 2010 of more than 10 per cent.
In the same three regions, half the companies are looking forward toan identical 10 per cent profit increase in 2011.
The Middle East/Africa region remained stable throughout the economic crisis.
UFI claims the results show an overall improvement in operation profits anticipated for 2011, and that it can now be said the exhibition industry has ‘regained its stride and is moving forward with confidence’.
“While some concern remains about potential economic fragility, the continuing growth in turnover in all regions is definitely good news," said UFI MD Paul Woodward. "UFI will continue to track the state of the industry in a bi-annual industry survey as we provide the exhibition community with data needed to make forward thinking business decisions.”
The association compiled data from 194 companies in 54 countries including UFI members and members of SISO (Society of Independent Show Organisers) in the USA, AFIDA (Asociacion International de Ferias de America) in Central and South America, and EXSA, the Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa.
However, the report qualifies its findings by adding that general economic considerations related to the state of the national/regional economy and global economic uncertainty remain concerns in all regions. Local competition and internal management challenges are also major preoccupations, while environmental challenges and competition from other marketing media are considered less critical.
UFI recently announced deputy director of the bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination as its 2013 president.
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