UFI Open Seminar in Asia Kicks Off Feb. 23-24 in Shenzhen
February 5, 2012
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s UFI Open Seminar in Asia is filled with two days of education sessions, featuring show organizers from companies such as Reed Exhibitions Japan, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and UBM Asia, to name a few.
Joining the show organizers Feb. 23-24 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre in China, will be several suppliers as well, including the Thailand Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and others.
With the U.S., Europe and other countries worldwide still struggling with a global recession, Asia has weathered the storm and is thriving.
In fact, net square meters sold has risen each year, acquisition activity is increasing, new venues are opening and organizers across the region are launching new events.
As a result, the UFI Open Seminar in Asia has become an important event in the region, according to UFI officials.
“This is the 7th UFI Open Seminar in Asia and our first in mainland China, so we will use the seminar as a platform to examine to growth opportunities and challenges not only in China, but also in other key markets such as Indonesia and Japan,” said Mark Cochrane, BSG Asia managing director and regional manager of UFI Asia Pacific Office.
He added, “We have also invited speakers from industry leading organizations including UBM Asia, Reed Exhibitions and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to offer their views on a range of topics - such as marketing to Chinese exhibitors, M&A trends, and the role of government in supporting exhibitions. Our goal at this seminar is to give the 200-plus delegates a clear roadmap of the challenges and opportunities that Asian exhibitions offer.”
Cochrane will serve as the event’s moderator, and the event will open with a keynote address, “Reacting to crisis: Reed Exhibitions in Japan after the tsunami”, given by Tad Ishizumi, president of Reed Exhibitions Japan.
The rest of the first day is marked by sessions on the Indonesian market that currently is being underserved led by Effi Setiabudi, president of the Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association; a panel on “Government Support for Exhibitions: How to Best Deliver Value?”; and another session discussing how to launch and grow exhibitions in China, among other sessions.
The following day also will be filled with informative sessions, including a panel discussion on “Venues in Asia: Navigating the Market” and online initiatives in the exhibition industry, among other topics.
For more information on the UFI Open Seminar in Asia please visit www.ufi.org.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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