News| Exhibition WorldUSA- The InternationalAssociation of Exhibitions andEvents has urged PresidentBarack Obama to accept aseries of recommendationsgiven to him earlier this year toease US visa and entry policies.According to the chairman ofthe President's Export Council,the recommendations willrepair failures in existing entrypolicy that prevent thousandsof international buyers fromattending US-based tradeshows. Recommendationsinclude establishing dedicatedbusiness windows at USconsulates, opening moreconsular offices, encouragingcooperation between US postsabroad and the AmericanChambers of Commerce andreforming immigration and visapolicies.The Center for ExhibitionIndustry Research claims visaissues costs the US eventsindustry over US$4bn each year.USA- Plans for a US$221mrenovation to Detroit's CoboConvention Center have beenrevealed.The project, due for completionin 2014, will include the conversionof Cobo Arena to a 3,700sqmballroom, another 2,300sqm ofexhibition space, extensiveinfrastructure upgrades, a newthree-story glassed-in atrium andnew glass walls to highlight Cobo'sriverfront location.Cobo Center plans unveiled8| April 2011| THE MAGAZINE FOR THE GLOBAL EXHIBITION COMMUNITY WWW.EXHIBITION-WORLD.NETJAPAN- Exhibition venueTokyo Big Sight cancelled allevents until the end of Marchdue to the unreliable powersupply that followed Japan's catastrophic earthquake andsubsequent tsunami.In the wake of the disaster, theTokyo Electric Power Companyimplemented rolling blackouts inseveral prefectures including thecapital city.Cancelled events includedInternational Auto Materials andProcessing Technologies Tokyo(16-18 March), Haru Comic City16 (20 March), TokyoInternational Anime Fair 2011(24-27 March), the TokyoMotorcycle Show 2011 (25-27March) and the Jang Keun-SukShowcase Live (27 March). Atthe time of writing, no April showswere cancelled or postponed.Meanwhile, a statement onMesse Frankfurt Japan'swebsite said its eventsproceeded as planned. "Noneof our office staff members areinjured, and the venues andcontractors have no majordamages affecting our tradefairs in Japan," the notice read.POLAND- A new conferenceand exhibition centre for Gdanskhas been inked for completion inspring 2012.Amber Expo Exhibition andConvention Centre will have aconference plenary room for 600delegates and several breakoutspaces for 100-150 as well asexhibition space.Gdansk to have new conferenceand exhibition centreThe new development'smain investor is The GdanskInternational Fair Co who willwork with the GdanskConvention Bureau to fill thenew venue. The Gdansk ConventionBureau team presented the newplans at International Confex inLondon in March.Tokyo Big Sight cancels upcoming events  e Premier Event for Top ExecutivesWhere CEOs Share Success StrategiesJoachim Schäfer Managing Director Messe Düesseldorf Learn proven solutions to boost revenue Meet and network with the industry's top performers Access vital research and trends" ECEF is 24 hours well spent!It provides a broad overview of international trends plus immediately actionable ideas."JUNE 1, 2011JW Marriott | Washington, DC USAAPPLY TODAY! Attendance is strictly limited to senior executives from event producing organizations (associations and independents).Gold Sponsor:Platinum Sponsor:Silver Sponsor:www.eceforum.comIAEE urges USvisa reform"We are making the changesthat our customers, stakeholdersand competitive research havetold us are necessary," saidDetroit Regional ConventionFacility Authority chairman LarryAlexander.Although the bond-financedproject will not be completed untilthe end of 2014, it will be farenough along to host the NorthAmerican International AutoShow in January 2014.

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