GITEX announces new Nigeria edition

GITEX has expanded its portfolio by adding a new Nigeria edition to the brand.

The deal with Nigeria’s federal government, announced at GITEX Africa, comes after GITEX Asia was revealed to be held in Singapore. Get the full details below.

Here are the top headlines for your weekly event news updates:

• GITEX adds Nigeria edition to its portfolio
• Eventprofs gear up for Global Exhibitions Day 2024
• ECA hosts biggest Legislative Action day ever
• Easyfairs secures investment to support growth

ExpoPlatform has provided event tech solutions since the past few years for GITEX events. Read how our platform made GITEX Global 2023 and GITEX Africa 2023 a success.

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GITEX adds Nigeria edition to its portfolio

GITEX has unveiled Nigeria as a new edition under its flagship tech showcase.

The new portfolio addition follows closely on the heels of the announcement of the Asia event, set to take place in Singapore in April 2025.

It was revealed last week at GITEX Africa with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Nigerian government and KAOUN International – a subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

NIGERIA SET TO HOST THE WORLD'S LARGEST TECH EXPO (GITEX)

In a move set to boost the country's tech sector, the Federal Government, through NITDA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to host the world's largest technology fair, GITEX, for the first time in 2025.

The… pic.twitter.com/2QQu1zeUWJ

— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) May 30, 2024

Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice-president of DWTC, said: “GITEX NIGERIA shall be the largest in-market access event of the decade to discover Nigeria’s vast tech ecosystem.

“It ushers the global tech community to fully explore the biggest and most valuable latent opportunities in this most populous African country, with the world’s most talented generation of tech and digital youths.”

She added: “GITEX in Nigeria shall spotlight on the country’s exponential growth sectors in AI, Future Finance, Digital Health, and Startups and Scaleups.

“It will integrate the Nigerian tech ecosystem firmly into GITEX Africa and extend its reach into GITEX Global in Dubai and GITEX Europe in Berlin.”

GITEX NIGERIA, with the National Information Technology Development Agency (@NITDANigeria) of Nigeria as Strategic Partner Sponsor, shall present AI Everything, GITEX Future Finance, GITEX Health Tech/ 5.0 and North Star Startups and Scaleups.

— GITEX AFRICA (@GITEXAfrica) May 30, 2024

GITEX Nigeria is expected to be a platform for learning, networking and discovering tech advancements with the potential to shape Nigeria’s and Africa’s technological future.

Eventprofs gear up for Global Exhibitions Day 2024

Global Exhibitions Day 2024 is almost here and eventprofs around the world are buzzing with excitement to show the power of live shows.

This year’s theme is “exhibitions are catalyst to sustainable futures” along with a green initiative to claim a tree.

✨🌳 Have you claimed your tree in the GED Forest yet?

🌍 Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate #GED2024 AND contribute to a greener world!

🔗 Claim your tree now: https://t.co/H0I9Fe2n5W#ufi #ufiadvocacy #GED2024 #sustainability #eventprofs pic.twitter.com/T9hZnmD0Yo

— UFI (@UFILive) June 3, 2024

Four key messages underpin this year’s theme:

• Exhibitions drive progress: They provide platforms to discuss, create, and showcase solutions to universal challenges.
• Exhibitions facilitate growth: They are engines of economic growth, connecting industries and creating jobs.
• Exhibitions are sustainable: They promote sustainable business and development, gathering communities and managing environmental impact.
• Exhibitions connect people: They build communities, bringing people together to connect, collaborate, and contribute.

Held annually on the first Wednesday of June, GED recognizes the global importance and impact of the exhibitions industry.

ECA hosts biggest Legislative Action Day ever

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance has observed its most successful Legislative Action Day ever.

The yearly event brought together over 130 industry leaders and advocates from 25 states to meet with policymakers on Capitol Hill.

This year’s Legislative Action Day centered on ECA’s key priorities: workforce development and reducing visa wait times for international exhibitors and attendees.

Vinnie Polito, ECA co-president said: “Today was the largest gathering of the industry on Capitol Hill ever. As we have seen in recent months, when our industry shows up and advocates together with one voice, we can drive policy change that positively impacts all of us going forward.”

ECA co-president Marsha Flanagan said: “From expanding access to programs that will help develop the industry’s future workforce to restoring visa interview wait times to pre-pandemic levels, ECA’s policy priorities have broad bipartisan support.

“That’s why we are calling on Congress to take action this year on these issues that will strengthen our industry’s collective ability to drive economic growth, support job creation, and empower small businesses.”

Though ECA’s 2024 Legislative Action Day has concluded, opportunities remain for industry leaders and advocates to stay engaged with key policy issues year-round.

ECA vice president Tommy Goodwin added:  “Whether you are on Capitol Hill, on the show floor, or even on your phone, ECA invites you to be an advocate for the business events industry.

“Together, we can be the strong, unified advocacy voice of the industry and shape our future with policymakers nationwide.”

Easyfairs secures investment to support growth

Easyfairs has secured a significant strategic investment from Cobepa and Inflexion to support its growth objectives.

The transaction will help the organizer in several ways:

• Accelerate its organic growth with new event launches and geo-cloning
• Expand its geographic and sector presence
• Strengthen its leadership in big data and AI
• Explore new strategic M&A opportunities

The three-way deal also includes founder Eric Everard, who will reinvest in the company. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

Jean-Marie Laurent Josi, CEO of Cobepa, said: “We have been following Easyfairs for a long time and are impressed by how the company has sustainably built an international leadership position based on its differentiated and customer-focused approach to event organisation.

“We are delighted to partner with the incredibly driven and talented Easyfairs team to help further accelerate its international growth journey in the years to come.”

Flor Kassai, partner at Inflexion, said: “We have tracked the growth of Easyfairs for a number of years and have been impressed by its unique tech-enabled business model together with the excellent renewal rates and high levels of customer satisfaction.

“We look forward to working with Eric as founder together with the management team and using our strong industry experience to support Easyfairs execute its ambitious growth strategy.”

Eric added: “Now is the time to write the next chapter in our history with this exciting three-way partnership.

I am thrilled to welcome Cobepa and Inflexion to be part of our success story, not least because they share our culture, values and vision, as well as bringing vast experience and expertise to the table.

The firms bring extensive event management sector experience, with Cobepa holding a net asset value of €4.7bn and Inflexion €12bn.

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