The European Major Exhibition Centres Association (EMECA) has welcomed the NEC Birmingham as a member.
The NEC was a founding member of EMECA in 1992, but had paused its membership for 10 years. The association members have now approved its re-joining.
The announcement was made at EMECA’s General Assembly, held at VIPARIS in the Porte de Versailles.
Financial results of many EMECA members were discussed during the assembly. It was found that the industry still faces threats from trade wars, Brexit, and genera economic slowdown.
However, it also found that new event formats and business models are being tested. And that close collaboration within these open up new opportunities.
Maurits van der Sluis, EMECA President, commented: “We welcome the NEC back to EMECA, especially at this moment when business conditions are changing quickly with possible Brexit, new business models and investors stepping into the exhibition world.
“The Birmingham colleagues will for sure both benefit greatly from and contribute to the discussions within EMECA. It is a strong signal for the strive for excellence and strength of exhibition venues in Europe.”
New Members of the EMECA Board as of 2020 will be Herbert Marner, CFO of Koelnmesse, who serve as Vice President Treasurer; and Elzbieta Roeske, Vice Chairman of the Board at Grupa MTP Poznan, who will look after EU Relations.
Claude Membrez, CEO Palexpo Geneva, will continue as Interim Vice President for Strategy after Giorgio Contini’s departure from Bolognafiere.
