GITEX Global records highest-ever international participation
The 2024 edition of GITEX Global saw the highest number of international attendees in the tech show’s 44-year-old history.
The event featured more than 6,500 exhibitors and 1,800 startups from 180+ countries. Read more about it below.
Here are the top headlines for your weekly event news updates:
- GITEX Global records highest-ever international participation
- Explori appoints Jan Barthelemy new EVP for commercial operations
- MIA names Shonali Devereaux as new CEO
- Messe Frankfurt expands Italy presence with new sustainability trade fair FESI
- GL Events Q3 revenue jumps 18% to €384 million
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GITEX Global records highest-ever international participation
GITEX Global has reported its highest international participation in its 44-year history.
The 2024 edition, held at Dubai World Trade Centre from Oct. 14-18, featured over 6,500 exhibitors and 1,800 startups from more than 180 countries.
Under the theme “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy,” the event focused on AI adoption and its impact across various sectors. The conference included over 40% new participating nations, expanding cross-regional partnerships in the tech industry.
The event’s agenda covered investment, cybersecurity, data centers, futuristic tech, and AI. Key topics included:
- AI applications across critical sectors
- Cybersecurity for digital infrastructure
- Future mobility innovations
- AI-powered data infrastructure
- AI in healthcare
Major tech companies showcased innovations in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
The conference also featured the World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit and the debut of GITEX Editions.
Industry forecasts project the global AI market to reach $1,339.1 billion by 2030, according to Markets and Markets.
Explori appoints Jan Barthelemy new EVP for commercial operations
Explori has strengthened its commercial operations by naming Jan Barthelemy as the new executive vice-president of the division.
In his new position, Barthelemy will collaborate with Chloe Richardson, SVP of growth and communications, to expand Explori’s sales team and manage key client relationships globally.
His previous roles include regional managing director for DMG Events in Australia and leading the Asia-Pacific region for Comexposium.
Jan’s appointment aims to support Explori’s growth in the event measurement sector.
Mark Brewster, CEO and founder at Explori said: “I’m delighted that Jan is joining Explori and heading up our commercial function.
“Jan is a great fit for our team and culture and will help Explori to develop our position both in the trade show and corporate events markets.”
Jan said: “I’m thrilled to join the Explori team, especially after being a customer and admirer of their significant contribution to the events industry over many years.
“I’m passionate about Explori’s mission to lead the way in event measurement, and I’m eager to get started and contribute to helping our customers not only quantify the impact of their events, but also unlock new opportunities for growth by demonstrating their true value.”
MIA names Shonali Devereaux as new CEO
The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has announced Shonali Devereaux as its new CEO, effective November 26.
Shonali will succeed Kerrin MacPhie, who is stepping down in December.
With 30 years of experience in the events sector, Devereaux has worked on major events including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
She has held leadership positions and board roles, including vice-chair of the Tourism Alliance.
Devereaux currently lectures in Events Management and Tourism and speaks at industry events.
The MIA board cited Devereaux’s strategic vision as a key factor in her appointment.
Shonali said: “I am incredibly passionate about the business meetings and events industry.
“It is the best industry in the world to work in and it will be a privilege to be able to further raise its profile as CEO of the MIA.
“Everything that I have done in collaboration has always been better than I could have envisaged on my own.
“This is why it is exciting to lead a membership organisation that not only promotes excellence but seeks to forge strong relationships between and beyond its members.
“I’m looking forward to delivering the vision of the MIA – to help business meetings and events in the UK to be the best in class – through creating a diverse and inclusive membership, promoting and sharing best practice, delivering a strong accreditation programme, and raising the profile of our sector with key stakeholders.”
Outgoing CEO Kerrin MacPhie said: “Serving as the chief executive of the MIA has been a true privilege.
“Over the past three years, I am proud of the positive changes we have achieved under my leadership.
“With Shonali’s passion, expertise, and deep understanding of the sector, I am confident she will continue to guide the MIA towards realising its strategic goals, while championing the broader business meetings and events industry.”
Messe Frankfurt expands Italy presence with new sustainability trade fair FESI
Messe Frankfurt is expanding its presence in Italy with the launch of FESI, a new sustainability-focused trade fair that’s set to debut in Bologna from October 14-16, 2025.
FESI – Fiera dell’Edificio Sostenibile e Integrato (Trade Fair for Sustainable and Integrated Construction) will focus on intelligent building technology and cover areas such as building automation, IoT integration, climate systems, energy management and smart mobility.
Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, said: “With our two strong trade fair brands, ISH and Light + Building, Messe Frankfurt already has the leading trade fairs for networked buildings, energy management and sustainability in its portfolio.
“We are very pleased that this new event will now allow us to bring together selected product areas from both of these trade fairs.
“This new format will make it possible for us to meet the needs of the Italian market.”
Donald Wich, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Italia, added: “With FESI, we are responding to the new needs of the Italian market, which are changing rapidly following the recent European guidelines.
“Legislation is prescribing stricter energy and environmental standards for buildings with a view to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency by 2030.
“After holding discussions with key sector players and associations in recent months, we saw that there is a clear need for a platform like FESI that would serve as a contact point for all sector players and offer specific, innovative solutions for the challenges associated with this important transformation.”
The event targets professionals in building construction, renovation and real estate – including designers, engineers, architects and facility managers.
FESI aims to showcase innovations in sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions.
This addition expands Messe Frankfurt’s portfolio of international trade events.
GL Events Q3 revenue jumps 18% to €384m
GL Events has announced an 18% increase in third-quarter revenue, reaching €384m.
The company’s Live division saw a 24% growth, generating €250.2m. This increase was partly due to its involvement in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which contributed €100.1m to the quarter’s revenue.
Chairman-CEO Olivier Ginon said: “GL events maintained its momentum in the third quarter of 2024 with an 18% increase in revenue driven by strong gains in France, the United Kingdom and Latin America.
“We would like to express particular congratulations to the teams in Brazil for the successful launch of the Anhembi events complex, confirming the potential of this new growth driver for our activities in Latin America.
“The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games were among the major successes in 2024, illustrating the Group’s key role in staging and the successful organisation of the world’s most important events.
“We applaud the remarkable work accomplished by all the teams mobilised during the site installation and operation phases, and now focused on dismantling the structures and restoring the sites to their original state.”
GL Events Exhibitions reported €25.4m in revenue, a 31% decrease from the previous year, attributed to biennial event cycles and economic challenges in certain sectors.
The Venues division showed strong performance with a 25% increase compared to Q3 2023.
Based on these results, GL Events has raised its 2024 annual revenue growth forecast to 10%, up from the previous 9% estimate.
The company expects continued growth in 2025, citing upcoming events such as the International Paris Air Show and the Osaka World Expo.
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