Exhibition World Issue 3 — 2019 | Page 17

Big Interview A final thought? need to deliver genuine business opportunities and connect exhibitors to top decision-makers from public and private sectors to set business in motion. As for working with venues, providing profile protection for an exhibition is necessary to maintain a competitive edge. When it comes to venues, the dynamics can differ between regions. In many countries, venues are owned by the government and provide leeway for organising exhibitions, with a focus on developing local industries and communities, with fewer restrictions. However, many regional venues are privately-owned, may request a share of the revenues and apply certain restrictions for using outside services (for example, catering and stand-building). This would also increase the asking price per square metre for exhibitors. I believe that Egypt and the GCC are highly-attractive for the tradefair business. On the other hand, Iraq is an emerging market that cannot be overlooked. Despite political and security fluctuations that Iraq has witnessed over the past few years, it is up to us as tradefair organisers to show potential international exhibitors that rapid changes bring big opportunities, and also highlight the government’s commitment to w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk fighting corruption and developing the economy. What trends do you observe in the regional market and where will you be placing you own emphasis in future to win more business? Can we expect new launches and what of M&A activity? The Middle East exhibitions market has seen remarkable expansion in the last few years and is now highly- competitive. It is crucial to stay on your toes and be ready to adapt to any shifts in the market. Embracing innovation and moving away from generalised exhibitions towards more sector-specific ones that provide more value is one observed trend in the region. At IFP, we are continuously working on developing new concepts and exploring new sectors that have big business potential. In Lebanon for example, we are tackling the processing, packaging, printing, and paper sectors with the 4P East Med exhibition, as well as the technological scene with our Sustainable Digital Economic Summit. On the other hand, we are moving forward with Confex- style events within various sectors to test out new and existing markets. These events are stepping stones to potential large-scale international exhibitions. Innovation is increasingly coming from outside the events industry as entrepreneurs and trendsetters are bringing new ideas to the table that can transform the industry to become more effective and efficient. That is why I believe event organisers should involve the younger generation to become more agile and create an atmosphere that is more receptive and adaptive to change. What are your personal goals for the next five years and beyond? And how does a busy CEO spend his rare free time? As President of the Lebanese Italian Business Council (LEBITALIA), I’m keen on developing the synergy between Lebanese and Italian businesses, and establishing sustainable relations in economic, industrial, and trade fields that will strengthen local businesses, and help create more jobs. On a personal level, I enjoy hikes with family and friends in my parents’ pine-embraced village that is very dear to me. It is a beautiful town nestled in the Mount Lebanon region, just 23km from Beirut. I have refurbished an abandoned silk factory there and turned it into a beautiful retreat that contributes to reviving the village and creates numerous jobs for the local people. I believe giving back to the community is very important. What were the main takeaways the recent UFI Conference in Dubai and the challenges and successes involved with being part of the organisation of the event? How is the Middle East Chapter faring? The recent UFI Conference in Dubai was a remarkable experience that brought together the movers and shakers of the industry. Engaging the youth in the exhibitions industry and transforming it into a more engaging and rewarding experience were key highlights of the discussions. Initiatives such as B2B Matchmaking, Hosted Buyers Programme, Live shows, professional workshops and edutainment are proving to be necessities for organisers to deliver successful and impactful events. After three years of missing a regional MEA conference, the UFI Chapter is now in a better state, especially after appointing an Area Manager in Dubai, and more contact is being made with the chapters’ members. Issue 3 2019 17