Since the last issue, there’s been a renewed wave of appreciation and reflection on what we do as an industry. We have UFI and its partners to thank for Global Exhibitions Day 2016 (#GED16), but we can collectively pat ourselves on the back for the reaction, which generated a wealth of spirited content flooding social media.
This issue features an ode to the activity that took place on #GED16, reminding us that 260 million exhibition visitors can’t be wrong.
Much of the #GED16 rhetoric on the likes of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube highlighted the phenomenal, and underappreciated, contribution to local economies that trade shows provide, and rightly so. But, the coming together of global businesses for a common cause – something our industry is in a unique position to witness – has a truly global significance.
While its origins are debated, the phrase ‘where goods don’t cross borders, soldiers will’ is a reminder that the millions of handshakes – or regionally customised greeting traditions – that take place at exhibitions, are a signifier of how good will can improve international relations for the better.
This issue is dominated by news of new, innovative global venues, with features detailing the continued rise of the exhibition sector – shown remarkably in South-East Asia and in particular Vietnam and Las Vegas.
There’s also much debate throughout on the implications of Britain’s vote to exit from the EU; a reminder that the world faces a lot of unknowns, but perhaps many of these concerns will be resolved on an exhibition floor near you.
