The New York Convention Center Operating Corporation has announced the completion of the Javits Center's new rooftop event space as part of its $1.5 billion expansion project on Manhattan's West Side. The 200,000-square-foot rooftop includes a glass-enclosed pavilion, an outdoor terrace and a one-acre working farm, which is expected to generate up to 40,000 pounds of produce each year. The expansion project, which has added 1.2 million square feet of total event-related space, is expected to draw new events to New York City and generate new economic activity among the hotel, restaurant, transportation and tourism industries. The SALT Conference, which opened on September 13, was the first event to utilise the expansion and its rooftop. The expanded Javits Center features 50% more front-of-house and back-of-house areas, including new exhibit and meeting room spaces, a separate entrance for special events and a first-in-the-nation truck marshalling facility that will accelerate event operations and reduce area congestion. The design-build project has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. "This new rooftop is one of the most exciting event spaces in New York City in more than a generation", said Alan Steel, president and CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center. "With stunning skyline views and state-of-the-art technology, the rooftop creates a unique roof-to-table experience for our guests while enabling our staff to push the boundaries of sustainability and further explore how to improve the quality of life for our neighbours." (kf)
www.javitscenter.com/media/120608/expansion-roof-completion.pdf

The IMEX Group has published its full covid-safety plans and entry requirements for the 10th edition of IMEX America, scheduled to take place from November 9 to 11, 2021 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Following a recent trend in North America for event organisers to produce covid-safe events to an 'unofficial gold standard', the IMEX team has confirmed that all IMEX America participants must provide proof of full vaccination against covid-19 to gain entry to the show. The event will be using the well-known and commonly used CLEAR Health Pass app for all North American attendees. CLEAR is used for identity verification at airports throughout the US and has partnered with many of the largest venues in Las Vegas, including Mandalay Bay, as well as having been adopted by event organisers across the country. There will be a different process for use by international attendees. IMEX will also be providing a specialised health clinic onsite, together with access to testing stations for homeward bound international travellers whose travel providers require them to show a negative test before departure. As IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer, explains, "We've consulted widely about this decision and have been watching the events landscape in North America very closely these past weeks. The requirement for participants to prove their full vaccination status is fast becoming the unofficial 'gold standard' for large events in the US." (wün)
www.imexexhibitions.com/imex-announces-vaccine-entry-requirements-for-imex-america

Fiera Milano, dmg events, MP Singapore, DesignSingapore Council and Singapore Tourism Board signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to officially launch FIND: Design Fair Asia. Anchored in Singapore, FIND (Furniture, INteriors and Design) will be the official trade fair of Singapore's design festival. With at least three annual editions planned from 2022 to 2024, the inaugural edition of FIND is scheduled to take place in Singapore from September 22 to 24, 2022. Held in a hybrid format, FIND: Design Fair Asia will present a forward-thinking mix of country pavilions integrated with futuristic trend exhibits from independent brands and creators, alongside a 365 digital platform that will allow audiences to meet and get access to exhibitors before the start of, during and after the fair. The first edition of the new show will run for three days at the iconic Sands Expo and Convention Centre and is expected to receive about 500 exhibiting brands and 15,000 key decision-makers and influencers virtually and in person from the design and furniture sectors along with an important global media contingent. (kf)
www.fieramilano.it/en/comunicati/2021/Settembre_2021/titolo.html

Australian Events Marketing reports increased demand has from exhibiting business. The organiser has staged eighteen events since covid struck, but recent demand has gone to a whole new level. Director of Australian Events, Bob Carroll, stated, "Businesses are coming back to events in droves. We are fielding increased enquiry across the entire state. Businesses have seen the success we have achieved on the ground and are now requesting larger exhibition sites than in previous years. It's a major win for our patrons attending". Events scheduled for the remainder of 2021 are approaching capacity, the organiser reports. The 2021 Sunshine Coast Expo has filled the entire venue, while Care Expo at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has reached a new milestone, with the highest number of exhibiting organisations and keynote speakers since conception. The 2021 Cleveland Expo has also benefited, recording a 50% increase in exhibitor numbers over the previous year. (kf)
australianevents.com.au/business-demand-drives-event-growth

Alimentaria & Hostelco, a leading event for the food and beverage, equipment and machinery industry for the restaurant, hotel and catering sectors, and the Spanish Catering Corporate Confederation (CEHE in its original initials) have signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of promoting the hotel and catering industry, boosting commercial exchanges in the "Horeca" channel and contributing to the promotion of professional training in the sector. Through this agreement, Alimentaria & Hostelco will facilitate access to its facilities for students of the CEHE's online training channel 'Campus Hostelería', which specialises in preparing hospitality professionals, with the aim of increasing their learning and networking opportunities thanks to direct contact with the leading companies in the "Horeca" channel. At the same time, Hostelería de España will facilitate access to its e-commerce platform 'Horeca Market' for exhibitors and visitors to Alimentaria & Hostelco interested in this commercial exchange channel dedicated exclusively to professionals in the sector. According to the director of Alimentaria Exhibitions, J. Antonio Valls, "with this agreement Alimentaria & Hostelco and CEHE add synergies and revalidate the importance of the relationship that has historically united both entities". (kf)
www.firabarcelona.com/en/press-release/institucional-en/alimentaria-hostelco-y-hosteleria-de-espana-se-alian-para-impulsar-y-reactivar-el-sector/

Over the past 17 months, The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) has secured 15 international conferences and will welcome approximately 22,000 delegates to the city, bringing an estimated R594 million into the local economy over the next six years. The CTICC has managed to secure these conferences through collaborative efforts with their partners, such as the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau. Additionally, one of the most notable conferences secured is Africa Oil Week, part of a 3-year deal the Hyve Group has signed with the CTICC. Nine of the 15 conferences will host a trade exhibition as part of the conference. "With strict lockdown measures impacting our normal sales process, the team has had to do everything remotely. As part of the sales process, we take all potential customers on a virtual tour through the centre. The tour allows them to experience the different spaces and get a feel of the venue. We also offer all our clients the options of running hybrid or virtual events using our digital platform CTICC Engage. And our strict C19-Care protocols provide the assurance needed from a health and safety perspective, allowing customers to book with us with confidence" said Ms. Taubie Motlhabane, CEO of the CTICC. (kf)
www.cticc.co.za/cticc-maintains-connections-with-global-industry-and-secures-15-international-conferences/

UFI and MBB-Consulting Group (MBB) are working to provide this industry education programme for exhibition organisers: the UFI Exhibition Management School (UFI-EMS). The curriculum was developed jointly with the UFI community, making it a programme designed by exhibition organisers for exhibition organisers. The target group are mid to senior representatives from exhibition organising companies. The programme runs from October 11 to 22 in English with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. The format are 10 online sessions including presentations, group work and networking. By participating in UFI EMS, 20 UCP credit hours equivalent to the foundation programme can be earned. (ufi)
www.ufi-ems.com

The Dutch government is lifting quarantine regulations for fully vaccinated travellers into the country in time for the UFI Global Congress, for travellers from the US and the UK as well as other countries around the world. See a list of all accepted vaccines here. Testing and other requirements vary, depending on the Dutch classification of the country you are travelling from. Check what you need to arrange before you travel to the Netherlands by clicking here. We can't wait to be #TogetherAgain face-to-face in Rotterdam! (ufi)
More information and to register for the 88th UFI Global Congress: www.uficongress.org

ExpoPlatform and Adventics have announced a partnership which will see both companies embark on ambitious plans for growth in Germany and other markets. The event technology company has joined with the Munich-based management consultancy firm after gaining significant interest from organisers in the country. Tanya Pinchuk, ExpoPlatform CEO, said: "This partnership is fantastic for both our companies as we embark on ambitious plans for growth." Gunnar Heinrich, Adventics CEO, added: "We're really looking forward to starting this strong partnership with ExpoPlatform, adding this premium player to our selected high-level portfolio. (kf)
expoplatform.com/blog/news-from-expoplatform/expoplatform-adventics-partnership