MEEC Chapter Fourteen International Issues in Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions

MEEC Around the Globe Europe Root of the trade fair industry Focal point of international fairs & expositions Two Reasons Location Crossroads of the world Transportation network Industrial base

MEEC Around the Globe Europe Germany $10.5 Billion annual 165,000 exhibitors in 133 international events/year 40% of exhibitors are non-European Hannover, Frankfurt/Main, Cologne, Dusseldorf Italy Milan – fashion trade fairs Rome

MEEC Around the Globe Europe United Kingdom 1,800 exhibitions (2001) 17.3 million visitors 450 venues The Netherlands and Belgium Eastern Europe Impact of European Union

MEEC Around the Globe Asia Exhibitions Focus on High technology Consumer electronics Food Taiwan & Singapore are leaders China Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing Vietnam, Malaysia and India

MEEC Around the Globe Africa Main centers Cairo, Egypt Johannesburg, South Africa US Department of Commerce provides special assistance / rates

MEEC Around the Globe Middle East Main centers Dubai & Abu Dhabi Exhibitions Focus on Furniture Automobiles Consumer Electronics

MEEC Around the Globe Latin America Main centers Sao Paulo, Brazil Santiago, Chile Mexico City Las Americas Exhibition Center

Ownership, Sponsorship & Management Models U.S.A. Adjunct to association meetings Owned by associations Private / Entrepreneurial and for-profit Other Countries Associations play a minor role Government with organizing companies plan and operate

Ownership, Sponsorship & Management Models World Trade Centers Association Not-for profit, apolitical organization Promotes the concept of World Trade Centers to bring together business and government agencies 300 World Trade Centers in 91 countries serving over 750,000 international businesses Many have exhibition facilities Sponsor trade meetings and educational evets

International MEEC Considerations Lessons to be learned from overseas Excellence of infrastructure Public transportation and access Logistics Specialized departments for exhibitors Simplified shipping and storage Support organizations Government agencies and trade promotion organization involvement

International MEEC Considerations Methods of Exhibiting As part of government sponsored Pavilions Under auspices of another company Joint ventures between companies On their own

International MEEC Considerations Terminology Stand = booth or exhibit Congress = meeting or convention others Contractual and Procedural Issues Labor Customs Clearance Freight forwarder Duty / Taxes Carnet or Trade fair bond

International MEEC Considerations Understand business protocol & cultural differences Verbal and physical greetings, hand gestures, eye contact Use of first / last names Clothing styles Hospitality customs (food and beverage) Gift giving – gift accepting Style of physical contact Business and corporate titles Class / rank

International MEEC Considerations Understand trade show differences Hospitality events held on show floor Nonexistent height restrictions Smoking Lack of lead retrieval systems Longer hours Systems Metric Electric voltages Video format

International MEEC Considerations When considering participation Understand objectives and know the audience Difference between different fairs and expositions in the industry Determine method to measure Return on Investment Costs Cultural consequences

International MEEC Considerations When considering participation Personnel resources of the company to support effort Type of participation – method of exhibiting Identify and analyze the requirements Support of senior management Know the logistic requirements

Trade Fair Certification Program of US Department of Commerce Promote exports of US products and services Endorses show organizers who manage and organize overseas events Program helps to attract more exhibitors Promotes the event Requirements: US Pavilion or attract 10 other US companies Have a US agent or office Event has taken place before

Review MEEC Around the Globe Europe Asia Africa Latin America Middle East Ownership, Sponsorship & Management Models International MEEC Considerations Lessons to be Learned Methods of Exhibiting Differences Participation Trade Fair Certification