Igor Palka has been appointed the new managing director for VNU’s business in Southeast Asia. He will take up the role on 15 January 2022 and will be based in Bangkok.
Palka is a seasoned trade show executive with over 18 years of exhibition industry knowledge and leadership in Germany and South Asia. He has spent most of his professional life with Messe Muenchen GmbH, where his career steps included the leadership of Messe Muenchen’s subsidiaries in India as CEO and COO, serving as director for the Ceramitec portfolio as well as leading the standardisation of digital events. Most recently, Igor served as MD of an international exhibition series in Berlin, Germany.
Palka will be overseeing the entire Southeast Asian region with responsibility for expanding the business in the post-pandemic recovery phase.
Albert Arp, CEO of Royal Jaarbeurs | VNU Group and chairman of the Board of VNU Asia Pacific, said: “We are excited to welcome Igor to our team. With Igor’s international experience, passion and broad knowledge of the exhibition industry, we can guarantee a smooth transition and a successful continuation of the business development and leadership excellence in the region.”
“Igor is an experienced and ambitious executive, that shares our passion and vision for future growth, execution speed and superior customer service,” said Heiko M. Stutzinger, COO of Royal Jaarbeurs | VNU Group and member of the Board of directors VNU Asia Pacific. “As the Southeast Asian region is re-opening for the trade fair industry with huge investments upcoming, Igor can rely on a great team with excellent stakeholder relations – together with the VNU Asia Pacific team, I am sure Igor will bring our regional operations and portfolio to the next level.”
“I have been following the fast-moving events industry in Asia and could observe the substantial progress VNU Asia Pacific has made in the region. I am truly thankful for the trust offered to me and very excited to be joining VNU
VNU Asia Pacific is part of VNU Group, a globally operating exhibition company with offices in Utrecht, Shanghai, Bangkok and consolidates the international exhibition business of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs.
