Recently, GL events China held an online strategic cooperation signing ceremony with Harbin Minghai Exhibition Services Co., Ltd. ("Minghai Exhibition" for short), announcing their newest joint venture in China — GL events (Harbin) Co., Ltd.The two parties will fully leverage their respective strengths, pooling resources and advantages in industries and exhibition project management to achieve win-win development and promote the growth of China's seed market.
Attending the online signing ceremony and signing the cooperation agreement were: Ms. Inès GINON, Co-President of GL events Greater China, Mr. Zhou Jianliang, CEO of GL events China, Mr. Sha Yiwen, COO of GL events China, Mr. Yu Zhenming, Chairman of Harbin Minghai Exhibition Services. Mr. Olivier GINON, Founder and Chairman of the Board of GL events Group, along with senior management representatives from both sides, witnessed the signing ceremony online.
From left to right: Zhou Jianliang, CEO of GL events China; Inès GINON, Co-President of GL events Greater China; Sha Yiwen, COO of GL events China.
From left to right: Wang Yue, Marketing Director of Minghai Exhibition; Liu Shanshan, General Manager of Minghai Exhibition; Yu Zhenming, Chairman of Minghai Exhibition; Li Yanyan, Director of Minghai Exhibition; Lü Chunyan, Project Director of Minghai Exhibition.
Since 2018, GL events China has adhered to its dual missions as an "integrated urban exhibition operator" and "corporate marketing solutions provider," consistently increasing investments in its Chinese operations. The company is dedicated to helping clients establish brand identity, facilitate business exchanges, and promote products/services in an increasingly competitive commercial landscape.
Ms. Inès GINON, Co-President of GL events Greater China, stated: "This acquisition was conducted amidst pandemic uncertainties. Despite exhibition disruptions caused by COVID-19 resurgences, we completed the transaction as scheduled. Our strategic positioning of China as a core market remains steadfast, and we believe this collaboration will accelerate GL events Group's business expansion in China."
Mr. Zhou Jianliang, CEO of GL events China, expressed: "We're delighted to establish this strategic partnership to jointly enhance the international profile and competitiveness of exhibitions, creating premium global seed and agricultural events. Although China experienced multiple pandemic waves this year, our commitment to exploring high-growth potential markets remains unwavering. As a world-renowned integrated exhibition company, we're highly optimistic about China's MICE market. Moving forward, we'll continue sharing and integrating cross-regional, cross-business operational expertise to grow alongside this market."
Mr. Yu Zhenming, Chairman of Harbin Minghai Exhibition Services, noted: "Agriculture is a strategically vital sector in China undergoing structural reforms toward high-quality and sustainable production, supported by favorable policies. China's seed market was valued at ¥120 billion in 2018, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest, and exceeded ¥140 billion by 2020." He added, "The Seed Expo has achieved steady growth by capitalizing on these industry opportunities. Its 2020 UFI certification made it China's first internationally UFI-certified seed industry exhibition. We're honored to join GL events Group. France being Europe's leading agricultural producer with advanced modernization, this partnership marks a pivotal step in our exhibition's internationalization. The infusion of global resources and management expertise will accelerate our specialization, marketization, and branding, propelling rapid business growth."
2020 Harbin Seed Industry Expo
GL events China successfully completed its capital increase initiative in the Chinese market this March, followed by acquiring equity in Beijing Capital Exhibition Group in July. This acquisition marks the acceleration of France's GL events Group's development strategy in China.
About GL events
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Lyon, France, GL events is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange. Three business divisions make up the core business of GL events: venue management, exhibition organizing, as well as events and live operations. Through a vast worldwide network of more than 90 offices, 359 exhibitions and event brands, as well as 50 venues, it assists the hosting of more than 3,700 events annually on average and makes vigorous promotion for 27 MICE destinations. With a turnover of €1.173 billion in 2019, it is among the top global MICE companies.
With 14 companies, GL events China hires more than 620 employees in 18 cities, serving 25 events and sports events with an average exhibition area of 900,000 square meters each year. In addition, the company owns two venues and assists the operation of 10 professional exhibition halls.
About Minghai Exhibition
Headquartered in Harbin, Minghai Exhibition has 14 years of operation history since its establishment. It is the organizer of Harbin Seed Industry Expo, a leading exhibition in China's agricultural inputs industry. The company owns three major seed expos: Harbin Seed Industry Expo, Chengdu Seed Industry Expo, and Nanjing Seed Industry Expo.
The Harbin Seed Industry Expo covers over 70,000 square meters with participation from more than 1,300 renowned domestic and international enterprises. The event attracts 150,000 professional visitors from 30 provinces across China. The expo features five specialized halls: Vegetable Seeds Hall, Field Crop Seeds Hall, Pesticides & Fertilizers Hall, Agricultural Machinery Hall, Premium Trade Hall. With exhibits covering the entire industrial chain, it is China's largest seed and agricultural inputs exhibition. The expo hosts 8 concurrent professional forums and industry summits, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange among industry experts, brand enterprises and distributors, to jointly promote industry advancement and seed industry revitalization.
Media Contact:
Marketing Department, GL events Group China Headquarters:
Shi Jing
Tel: +86 21 5255 8288 ext. 8135
[email protected]
