The Messe Düsseldorf Group and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will further develop XPONENTIAL jointly as of 2023: The US subsidiary Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA) has acquired 60 percent of the shares in the trademark rights of the world's leading trade show for uncrewed systems, giving it access to a promising sector with enormous potential for growth. MDNA's partner is AUVSI in Washington, D.C., the world's largest association for the advancement of autonomous systems and robotics. The association is composed of more than 350 member companies from 60 countries and represents more than 5,000 members. A key meeting place for the industry, the association and its members is XPONENTIAL, the world's leading trade show and conference for uncrewed and autonomous systems across ground, maritime and air domains, which is held annually, alternating between different cities in the USA. "With this strategic investment, we are underlining the demands we put on ourselves to further develop our portfolio in the interests of our customers and to enter promising markets of the future", says Wolfram N. Diener, president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, about the upcoming partnership. Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI, sounded the following congratulatory note: "The announcement of this partnership represents a win for AUVSI members and the uncrewed systems industry at large, and is a fitting turning point for our association as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. With the Messe Düsseldorf Group's international reach and trade show expertise, XPONENTIAL will continue its namesake trajectory, cementing its status as the must-attend event of the year." The trade fair has so far occupied an exhibition area of more than 10,000 sqm. Together with a conference, it attracts more than 8,000 attendees. The first joint event will be held in Denver in 2023. (ch) 
www.messe-duesseldorf.com

The UFI LATAM Conference will be taking place on 11-12 May, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina during Buenos Aires' MICE Week. It offers the perfect opportunity to network and discover new business development opportunities in the industry. The conference is open to all industry professionals and includes delegate keynote sessions and unique content from experts and industry leaders in Spanish with English translations. (ufi) 
Book your spot here: www.ufilatam.org

With the recent reopening of Malaysia's international borders, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) looks forward to hosting over 20 high-profile international events, 10 conventions and 13 exhibitions, from now until December 2022. "We are delighted to welcome international clients and delegates back to KLCC after a long break. We have recently hosted a few site visits for upcoming international conferences and are currently very focused on helping our clients, event organisers, visitors and guests safely and comfortably transition into organising and attending physical meetings and events. While the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are more relaxed now, our priority on safety and hygiene remains," explained Alan Pryor, general manager of the centre. (mn) 
www.klccconventioncentre.com/kuala-lumpur-convention-centre-prepares-to-welcome-events

Messe Frankfurt had the air quality at the exhibitions Indoor-Air, Formnext and Food Ingredients (Fi) Europe, all held in the second half of 2021, analysed as part of a study. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Building and Indoor Climate Technology, E.ON Energy Research Centre, RWTH Aachen and Heinz Trox Wissenschaft. It looked into the level of contamination of the room air in typical trade fair halls and whether the air quality constituted a hygiene risk. The result: It does not. The air quality in trade fair halls is safe. The reasons for conducting the study: the Coronavirus. As Uwe Behm, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt, explained: "These new study results show that there was good air circulation in all of the halls under examination and at all three events, without any recognisable pockets of uncirculated air. The concentrations of CO2 at the individual measurement points varied only very marginally from those in the exhaust ducts, meaning that the mix of air is virtually ideal." The measurements were taken in the supply air and exhaust ducts of the ventilation systems and with an additional 22 sensors in continuous operation during the events. These were positioned at visitor head height on columns, near aisles and stands, and in areas adjacent to the halls. The concentration of CO2 was taken as an indicator for the contamination of indoor air. This is because aerosols – which have been a key indicator in the pandemic and can be potentially infected with viruses – are emitted through breathing in the same way as CO2. The aim should be not to exceed a CO2 level of 1,000 ppm (parts per million). CO2 concentrations above 2,000 ppm are considered hygienically unacceptable. All CO2 concentrations measured were consistently well under 1,000 ppm – in some cases, they were just over 400 ppm, which is almost on a par with outdoor air quality. The conclusion drawn by Messe Frankfurt: With supplementary protection and hygiene measures, exhibitions can be held safely even during a pandemic. (ch) 
www.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/press/press-releases/2022/study-safety-air-quality.html

Hyve is exiting the Russian market. The company states that this is in consequence of the invasion of Ukraine. Mark Shashoua, CEO, on behalf of the board of directors of Hyve Group plc, states: "Our primary focus throughout has, like many, been the safety and welfare of our people. We care deeply about our 87 colleagues in Ukraine and have been in constant communication with them while supporting them and their families in any way we can, including through financial and relocation assistance. But we also care about our 206 colleagues in Russia who have played a significant role in our business. The invasion of Ukraine is not their fault, and we have been determined to find an outcome which offers stability for them as quickly as possible. However, as the situation worsens, we must act." Stock market and shareholders have been informed that Hyve is to formally exit the Russian market. "Our focus now remains on continuing to support our people and exploring how we can leverage the visa scheme recently announced by the UK government to offer employment to Ukrainian refugees entering the UK. We have continued to support humanitarian efforts and will fund-match anything raised by the Hyve team", Shashoua concludes. (kf) 
hyve.group/Media/News/Hyve-News/March-2022/Hyve-to-exit-Russia

Expo 2020 Dubai has come to an end on the grounds, but fans can continue to immerse themselves in attractions, country pavilions and concerts through the virtualexpodubai.com platform. About 250 million visits have already been clocked throughout the six-month period of Expo 2020 Dubai. Fans from all over the world have flocked to Expo 2020 Dubai's virtual and online platforms, with India, China and the UAE proving to the most popular markets, followed by Central and South America and other countries in the southern parts of Asia and Africa. Rehan Asad, chief programme officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: "We designed the platform and Virtual Expo journey to make it simple and seamless for anyone from anywhere in the world to explore www.virtualexpodubai.com and experience its rich content. The events and entertainment were key drivers." The platform was particularly popular with younger users: 24 percent of virtual viewers were aged 18 to 24, with 46 percent aged 25 to 44. Events and programming drove approximately 70 percent of the content consumption, covering music concerts and cultural performances by global and regional artists, international participants, Al Wasl shows and the Programme for People and Planet. The vast majority of Expo-owned content will remain accessible on virtualexpodubai.com. A calendar function will be added soon, allowing users to rewatch events or view anything they missed. (kf)
www.expo2020dubai.com/en/news/virtual-expo

In only five short weeks, the exhibitions industry will be celebrating Global Exhibitions Day. This is the perfect occasion to get local lawmakers, businesses big and small, and even friends and family involved in recognising the important role that physical exhibitions and face-to-face business events play in accelerating economic recovery, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. (ufi)  
See how you can get involved here: globalexhibitionsday.org  

The UFI Novel Coronavirus page is updated weekly. Please click here to view most recent updates on the reopening/closing of markets across the globe. Please contact us on reopen@ufi.org, should you wish to report the safe reopening or any changes to the market in your region. (ufi)
www.ufi.org/coronavirus

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has joined forces with Science for Wildlife, a leading Australian not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation, to raise awareness about wildlife conservation under climate change and activate volunteering opportunities for the venue's team. ICC Sydney's CEO, Geoff Donaghy, said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership between ICC Sydney and Science for Wildlife will help protect koalas, listed as an endangered species: "We strive to make a difference in our world and leave a positive legacy against a triple bottom line – considering the ways we can foster community engagement, environmental sustainability and economic development. The initiative will see the venue utilise its platform as an international event destination to promote the conservation group's programmes both internally to its team members and externally to its broad network. Science for Wildlife will provide learning, development and volunteering opportunities to ICC Sydney's team. Science for Wildlife's executive director, Dr Kellie Leigh, said the organisation was pleased to welcome this new network into its fold through the partnership with ICC Sydney. "The conservation of wildlife and habitats can only be effective if communities join in, and by that I mean communities at the local level right through to the international level. If we don't work together, we simply can't be successful." (kf) 
www.iccsydney.com.au/media/news/articles/icc-sydney-launches-partnership-with-science-for-w

As our reality, post-COVID, has evolved and the exhibition industry undergoes substantial changes, exhibitors' and visitors' journeys are changing substantially, with face-to-face and smart events going hand in hand to offer multiple opportunities to connect, help us focus on our communities and provide an outstanding customer service. In the last two years, expectations and behaviours have changed and the Exhibition Think Tank Club is delighted to invite friends of the exhibition industry to join its new mission: "Create the ideal exhibition of the future", to work together on the exhibitors' and visitors' ideal journey pre-show, during the show and post-show. The mission will start with the Think Tank kick-off meeting: Let's create the ideal exhibition of the future! on the May 12, which will be followed by a series of online sessions and workshops with participants and industry professionals sharing their insights, knowledge and experiences to help us define how the ideal exhibition of the future might look for each target group. Would you like to join as an individual or even send your company team into this mission to create the ideal exhibition of the future? With more than a thousand members based in 70 countries and more, the Exhibition Think Tank Club is very much looking forward to welcoming industry professionals from all levels and regions. We will collaborate, innovate, and show that by sharing knowledge, we can all support each other to come out of the crisis even stronger, and work towards offering exhibitors and visitors an ideal 365 journey. The Exhibition Think Tank Club is a global online platform for exhibition industry professionals to network, debate and continue to help the industry move forward. Members are industry peers from different sectors and countries, who come together to share their expertise, vision and insights (individual or exhibition innovation supporter membership options are available). (ett) 
www.exhibitionthinktank.com/events/think-tank-lets-create-the-ideal-exhibition-of-the-future-kick-off-meeting