Asia Exhibition Industry CEO Summit: Industry faces huge talent gap

Asia Exhibition Industry CEO Summit: Industry faces huge talent gap

The event is co-organised by AEO (Association of Event Organisers based in the UK), SACEOS (Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers based in Singapore), SISO (Society of Independent Show Organisers based in the US), and UFI (The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry based in Paris)

From October 5th to 7th, 100 leaders of the world's most prominent business event organizers gathered at the Asia CEO Summit at the Fulton Hotel in Singapore to reaffirm their commitment to the sustainable development of the business events and MICE industry in Asia. The summit brings together industry leaders from all around the world to exchange insights on their experience in resuming brick-and-mortar business activities, addressing key challenges confronted by the industry, and seizing development opportunities. The Asia CEO Summit, in support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), is jointly organized by the Association of Event Organizers (AEO), the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (SACEOS), the Society of Independent Exhibition Organizers (SISO) and the global association of the exhibition industry UFI. The summit will continue to serve as a platform for the business activity department to exchange and learn with each other in the next two years.

Leaders at the inaugural Asia Exhibition CEO Summit have said there would be "a huge talent gap" in the event industry unless urgent steps are taken to attract new talent.

International leaders in the exhibition industry gathered in Singapore for the inaugural Asia CEO Summit to underscore their commitment to regional economic growth. Topics focus on sustainability, innovation, new business models, and attracting skilled labor.

The summit is co-hosted by a number of event organizers, including the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (SACEOS).

Richard Ireland, President of SACEOS, said: “During the pandemic, many business event organizers and venues have had to suspend events or shift focus, leading to a brain drain in the industry.

"Many of our talented colleagues have left the industry because the role our industry plays in trade, economic development, society, and investment has not been valued, leading to a huge talent gap. If the problem isn’t addressed, it will slow down our ability to recover.

"Our industry always attracts bright, motivated, and unique talents, but we need to focus on attracting and retaining them to build our industry. In doing so,  it can continue to help our markets and geographic communities in the future."

At the Joint Leaders Summit, which opened last week, regional industry leaders and government representatives agreed on key areas of cooperation.

The event also provides an opportunity to build business connections and injects momentum for more shows across the market.