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

MEEC
Chapter Fourteen
International Issues in Meetings,
Expositions, Events and Conventions
MEEC Around the Globe
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Europe
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Root of the trade fair industry
Focal point of international fairs & expositions
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Two Reasons
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Location
 Crossroads of the world
 Transportation network
Industrial base
MEEC Around the Globe
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Europe
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Germany
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$10.5 Billion annual
165,000 exhibitors in 133 international events/year
40% of exhibitors are non-European
Hannover, Frankfurt/Main, Cologne, Dusseldorf
Italy
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Milan – fashion trade fairs
Rome
MEEC Around the Globe
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Europe
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United Kingdom
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1,800 exhibitions (2001)
17.3 million visitors
450 venues
The Netherlands and Belgium
Eastern Europe
Impact of European Union
MEEC Around the Globe
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Asia
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Exhibitions Focus on
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Taiwan & Singapore are leaders
China
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High technology
Consumer electronics
Food
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing
Vietnam, Malaysia and India
MEEC Around the Globe
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Africa
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Main centers
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Cairo, Egypt
Johannesburg, South Africa
US Department of Commerce provides special
assistance / rates
MEEC Around the Globe
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Middle East
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Main centers
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Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Exhibitions Focus on
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Furniture
Automobiles
Consumer Electronics
MEEC Around the Globe
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Latin America
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Main centers
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Sao Paulo, Brazil
Santiago, Chile
Mexico City
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Las Americas Exhibition Center
Ownership, Sponsorship &
Management Models
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U.S.A.
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Adjunct to
association meetings
Owned by
associations
Private /
Entrepreneurial and
for-profit
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Other Countries
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Associations play a
minor role
Government with
organizing
companies plan and
operate
Ownership, Sponsorship &
Management Models
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World Trade Centers Association
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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
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Lessons to be learned from overseas
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Excellence of infrastructure
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Logistics
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Public transportation and access
Specialized departments for exhibitors
Simplified shipping and storage
Support organizations
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Government agencies and trade promotion
organization involvement
International MEEC Considerations
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Methods of Exhibiting
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As part of government sponsored Pavilions
Under auspices of another company
Joint ventures between companies
On their own
International MEEC Considerations
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Terminology
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Stand = booth or exhibit
Congress = meeting or convention
others
Contractual and Procedural Issues
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Labor
Customs Clearance
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Freight forwarder
Duty / Taxes
Carnet or Trade fair bond
International MEEC Considerations
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Understand business protocol & cultural
differences
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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
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Understand trade show differences
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Hospitality events held on show floor
Nonexistent height restrictions
Smoking
Lack of lead retrieval systems
Longer hours
Systems
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Metric
Electric voltages
Video format
International MEEC Considerations
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When considering participation
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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
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When considering participation
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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
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Program of US Department of Commerce
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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:
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US Pavilion or attract 10 other US companies
Have a US agent or office
Event has taken place before
Review
MEEC Around the Globe
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Ownership, Sponsorship & Management Models
International MEEC Considerations
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Europe
Asia
Africa
Latin America
Middle East
Lessons to be Learned
Methods of Exhibiting
Differences
Participation
Trade Fair Certification