Industry Solutions
Convention & Exhibition Centre Advisory
The ultimate success of a convention and exhibition centre is dependent on many factors, such as its location, the facilities, the destination offerings, and the management and marketing of the venue. For over 15 years, GainingEdge has worked with private and public sector developers and operators to deliver successful projects across the globe.
Services for Convention & Exhibition Centres
GainingEdge has a multidisciplinary team of market, operation, and development experts, enabling us to offer an integrated scope of services in convention centre development, ranging from conceptualisation and site assessment to feasibility studies, design reviews and pre-opening planning and support to operator procurement.
Market Demand Analysis
We have consulted on both new and expansion projects for facilities across the globe. Our extensive relationships on both the supply side and demand side of this industry means our market advice is led by deep insights related to potential target users of the facility, building configuration and specifications to respond to market needs, operational considerations, and overall demand analysis.
We undertake a combination of desk research and primary research to acquire insights from international industry stakeholders, meeting planners, professional conference organisers and exhibition organisers to develop a clear market view.
Destination Assessment
GainingEdge experts will provide a concise picture of the competitive landscape by profiling local, national and regional facilities, current meeting activity and future trends to assess both the competitive marketplace in which the proposed facility would operate, and how the new facility may complement or compete on a regional basis.
We undertake a 10-point destination assessment based on key criteria that clients use to evaluate convention destinations. We’ll provide a profile of community attributes, analysing economic, aesthetic, and destination-attractiveness attributes and other convention-related infrastructure (e.g., hotel room inventory, air access and promotional support).
Feasibility Study
Convention and exhibition centres are developed because of the social and economic benefits they generate, including professional development, trade and research links, exports, foreign direct investment and strengthening of the knowledge and creative economies—not to mention the direct impacts of increased spending, employment and tax revenues.
We provide preliminary financial projections for the convention and exhibition centre:
- Occupancy and related revenue from local, regional and international events to develop an annual business mix or calendar of events
- Pricing levels based on the local market and comparable markets
- Operating expenses including labour, facility management, repairs and maintenance, sales and marketing, utilities and overheads, and more
Where required, we will prepare a full capital investment analysis and an economic benefits analysis for the centre.
Site Assessment
For clients who are in the early stages of selecting a site for their new facility, we have developed an in-depth site assessment process to successfully identify the planning elements that will ultimately influence a facility’s marketability, operational efficiency and overall success.
As part of the assessment process, GainingEdge experts first conduct a thorough review of the site, including detailed SWOT analysis, to provide comprehensive recommendations that address your identified concerns.
Working collaboratively with your team and other key stakeholders, such as local government officials, planners and your architectural teams, we’ll develop solutions for issues such as road access, complementary developments, neighbouring infrastructure, surrounding land uses and future expansion planning needs.
Design Reviews
Optimal design is critical for high operational efficiency. GainingEdge’s consultants collaborate to bring both developer and operator perspectives to design considerations, ensuring they incorporate the attributes most important to the clients of today and tomorrow.
When needed, we’ll recommend possible modifications to enhance operational efficiency and provide quantitative evaluation of features and elements that may impact future operational success.
We will also make recommendations on facility specifications, including configuration and size of exhibit, plenary, meeting and ballroom spaces, lobbies and pre-function areas. This is achieved through structured design review workshops involving the client, project managers, architects, engineers and other specialist consultants supporting the project—an ideal method for design review and the generation of innovative solutions in a collaborative manner.
Venue Management Advice & Operator Selection
Once built, the ultimate success of a convention and exhibition centre is contingent upon the expertise and capability of the management team operating the facility.
There are multiple operating models available. GainingEdge’s experts will advise on the advantages and disadvantages of each operating model and recommend the most suitable model for the proposed convention and exhibition centre with due regard to location, target market, and overall facility mission. The recommended model would seek to balance ownership control and expertise in facility management.
Through our strong relationships with leading facility operators and management companies, we also provide support in operator procurement – tender, evaluation and negotiation process for the appointment of a suitable operator.
Pre-Opening Planning Support
The GainingEdge team will provide preliminary operational insights and recommendations for key pre-opening activities, including staffing, sales and marketing, communications, hand-over, soft opening and official opening to ensure that the financial, commercial and technical operations for the new venue will function smoothly and to the highest standards.
