Singapore - UBM Asia has appointed Michiel Kruse managing director of UBM Asia Trade Fairs in Singapore and also as deputy MD of UBM Asia (Thailand) from 1 July, 2009.
In Singapore, Kruse takes over from Jean Oh, who leaves after 17 years. In Thailand, he will start as deputy with a view to succeeding M. Gandhi in the role of MD on 1 January, 2010. Gandhi is then to focus on his role as MD of UBM India.
Kruse has previously been the general manger of MFK Exhibitions Consulting in Shanghai; a role that included advising international organisers on exhibitions, conferences and events in China, including the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
Before that, Kruse was director of international business development at VNU Exhibitions Asia, also based in Shanghai.“With Michiel’s solid experience in exhibitions and in the booming China market, I am confident that he will make great leaps forward for the events operated by our excellent teams in Singapore and Thailand,” says president and CEO of UBM Asia Jimé Essink.
UBM Asia claims to be the biggest commercial organiser in the fast growing markets of China and India, with 110 events attracting an annual attendance of 30,000 international exhibitors and 1,270,000 visitors.
In Thailand, UBM’s 10 events include Intermach, the country’s longest running industrial trade exhibition. While the Singapore office organises six events, including Tissue World, the world’s leading event for the global tissue industry. Some events operated by the Singapore team are held in China.
