National Retail Federation and Comexposium Expand Retail’s Big Show to Asia Pacific Region

February 6, 2023

The global retail industry is about to get a new conference and exhibition to meet the needs of a rapidly growing marketplace. Beginning in 2024, Retail’s Big Show will expand to the Asia Pacific region with the inaugural NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, set for June 11-13, 2024, at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. The new event will launch six months after NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, scheduled for Jan. 14-16 at Javits Center in New York City. 

Aiming to integrate regional leaders across the retail industry to collaborate at a Pan Asia Pacific level, the new Asia Pacific version of Retail’s Big Show is designed to unite the region’s retail ecosystem under one roof, offering industry-leading educational programming, an all-encompassing expo featuring the latest retail solutions and an Innovation Lab and Startup Zone showcasing breakthrough technologies in Asia Pacific’s retail sector. 

According to co-organizers Comexposium and the National Retail Federation, the new event is expected to draw thousands of retailers and business partners from across the region.

“NRF is proud to expand the footprint of Retail’s Big Show by bringing all the power and reach of our New York show to Asia Pacific, one of the world’s fastest-growing markets with limitless opportunities in retail,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “With offices in more than 20 countries around the world and ownership by the Paris Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Comexposium has extensive experience partnering with industry trade groups and an in-depth understanding of their role and convening power.” 

He added, “Together with Comexposium’s expertise in global trade shows spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Asia Pacific and the U.S., NRF is prepared to make the Big Show even bigger.”

NRF Big Show

The show’s launch couldn’t be more timely and relevant for the global retail industry. Home to more than 655 million people, with a consumer market of $3 trillion (USD) and average gross domestic product growth of around 5% among Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries, the Southeast Asia region is expected to be the fourth-largest market in the world by 2050, with rapidly growing disposable income and high digital adoption. Retail sales across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand are projected at $1.54 trillion in 2022 and are expected to reach $1.77 trillion by 2025, according to NRF officials.

Additionally, Singapore’s central location and its long-established status as a business center for the region provide an optimal stage for NRF to launch its inaugural Asia Pacific edition of Retail’s Big Show, according to Elaine Chia, CEO of Comexposium Asia Pacific.

“Singapore provides an accessible and vibrant gateway to the Southeast Asia region with a significant presence from international and regional trade sellers and visitors from across the retail industry,” Chia said. “Echoing NRF’s Big Show in New York, Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will provide premier programming with the latest industry innovations and insights.”

She continued, “Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific is expected to grow into one of Asia’s leading trade shows with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board and NRF’s recognized expertise in retail, and the strength of Comexposium’s network with the international retail communities.” 

According to Chi Chuan Poh, executive director of exhibitions and conferences at Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore’s strategic location at the crossroads of East-West trade along with its position as a gateway to emerging Asian markets make it a leading destination for international business events like Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific.

“Our pro-enterprise environment and focus on innovation also provide an optimal setting for global retail businesses to leverage growth opportunities in the region,” he said. “STB is proud to support Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific debut, and we look forward to welcoming international retailer delegates to Singapore in 2024.” 

 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.