Making an Exhibition: UFI Asia/Pacific Chapter Chairman Michael Duck is flanked by the new UFI Asia/Pacific Office team of Paul Woodward and Jess Wong

Trade fair growth in the Asia Pacific region is so strong that UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, has opened its first regional office in Hong Kong to support regional industry players. Business Strategies Group (BSG), headed by experienced analyst Paul Woodward, has been selected for a one year period to represent UFI in the region. The office will conduct market analysis and strategic planning for UFI in the region, as well as promote UFI membership opportunities and help the UFI Asia/Pacific Chapter with its programmes and activities.

UFI is now made up of 248 member organisations, and represents over 4,000 exhibitions around the world. As an umbrella organisation promoting international trade development, UFI is an efficient networking platform where exhibition industry professionals can exchange ideas and experiences on every issue.

UFI Asia/Pacific Chapter Chairman Michael Duck says the new Hong Kong office is the first and only regional office outside the organisation's Paris headquarters. "The Asia/Pacific Chapter was established just four years ago, and since then we've seen tremendous growth in membership in the region. In fact, with forty-three members, the Asia/Pacific Chapter is now the second largest of the UFI's constituent bodies," he says.

"This growth rate has shown us something of the tremendous potential in the relatively young industry throughout the region. The point of the regional office is to bring in more members and get them co-operating with a wider global group. We will also be able to help them enhance their business prospects, whether through increasing their levels of professionalism, assisting in venue management, or helping in professional training.

"The new office should also help us better understand the region's needs, and promote the UFI amongst an even wider range of industry players, especially the many medium- and small-sized companies in the Asia Pacific area. Paul's background, his knowledge, and his twenty-odd years of Asian trade fair experience are certainly important advantages when it comes to accomplishing our mission.

"In the coming year, some of the Asia/Pacific office's major roles will be to observe, evaluate, and make recommendations. I believe the office has a major role to play in the region. Paul and his assistant Jess will reach out to members and help the Chapter respond more rapidly to their needs."

Paul Woodward, manager of the new office and founder of BSG, is enthusiastic about his new role. "Trade fair organisers, exhibition centre operators and exhibition industry service providers all respect the quality of UFI as the global exhibition association," He says. "I'm looking forward to this opportunity to support UFI as it moves forward with new programmes and initiatives in the Asia Pacific region."