Exhibition Special: Reed Exhibitions gears up to expand

Recently appointed Reed Exhibitions China President Nat Wong plans to rapidly expand the company in the coming years, he said.

As head of one of the top exhibition organizers in the country, Wong said he hopes to achieve double-digit growth in the number of shows hosted over the next several years and deliver outstanding services to clients.

Wong is a veteran in the exhibitions industry with more than two decades of experience, and his knowledge of the Chinese market dates back to when he first visited in 1991.

Reed Exhibitions China focuses on such industries as electronics, machine tools, metalworking, industrial materials, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, cosmetics, gifts, housewares, auto aftermarket products, lifestyle, gaming, construction, energy, oil and gas, property, and travel.

The clear set of values adopted by Reed Exhibitions China helps the team to win in spite of challenges and fierce competition, said Wong.

"We are customer focused, we value our people, we have passion for winning, we dare to innovate, and we constantly strive to break down barriers," said Wong.

The exhibition industry in China has been undergoing drastic changes, especially since the Shanghai Expo 2010.

With a long record of accomplishment, Reed Exhibitions continues to maintain its top position in the industry through insights into China's market trends and intensive research on clients' needs, said Wong.

"With support from our talented people at Reed Exhibitions, we have been able to expand our business and capitalize on economic growth in China," said Wong.

As of the end of 2012, Reed Exhibitions' operations in China now include eight member companies and joint ventures.

Wong said he is focused on expanding the business while generating greater results for clients and developing human resources.

The company's leaders view China as a unique market with great diversity. Reed is finding new opportunities thanks to the changing demands of clients as well as shifting trends and regional focuses in various industries.

"Every day is challenging," Wong said. "One needs to take risks and be daring to innovate."

Reed Exhibitions has kept its finger on the pulse of regional development and closely monitors its essential sectors. It also studies national strategies for economic development and industrial restructuring to identify China's market needs.

In the period from 2013 to 2014, the company will present 55 shows in more than eight cities in China that are outside traditional exhibition hubs like Beijing and Shanghai.

New hubs

In China's cities designated second tier or lower, new hubs are emerging for machinery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and many other fast-growing sectors. Reed Exhibitions is proud to organize shows that are popular among suppliers, buyers, visitors and local authorities, Wong said.

In April, Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions will present PHARMCHINA Spring - China's leading pharmaceutical trade event - in Wuhan, one of the rising cities in central China.

In June, Reed Hongda Exhibitions will present the China International Auto Aftermarket Fair in Zhengzhou, a fast-developing auto manufacturing hub in Henan province.

"Many of our shows are iconic," said Wong.

In addition to covering more sectors and regions, Reed Exhibitions China is constantly looking for innovations.

To successfully launch new shows, Reed Exhibitions works intensively to research market trends, and stays focused on bringing the most to audiences, be they traders or consumers.

The outstanding services of Reed Exhibitions go beyond just providing effective and efficient platforms for trade. Its intellectual property rights protection services also provide a worry-free environment that helps suppliers battle against copycats.

Wong said one of the keys to maintaining the company's advantage and achieving growth is to cultivate extraordinary talent. Pooling extraordinary human resources for the market is always a focus, he said.

The first batch of participants in the Reed Management Associates Program will graduate in 2013, and in March, the second round of the program will start.

Wong said those who take part in this program are "really bright people with various backgrounds", and the company is pursuing personnel with the highest academic background in order to attract the best people with diverse sets of skills.

wuyiyao@chinadaily.com.cn