One of the world’s most prestigious international exhibition organizing companies has formally expressed interest in using the Zhengzhou International Convention & Exhibition Centre (ZZICEC) in the future.

The company is Montgomery based in the UK which has a significant business portfolio reflecting impressive and ongoing global exhibition industry business and networking activity that can benefit Zhengzhou and the ZZICEC.

Montgomery is a holding company for a group of exhibition companies with interests in different parts of the world.

The announcement of this new interest was made by Cliff Wallace, Chairman of Hong Kong – Shanghai Venue Management (Zhengzhou) Limited (“VMZL”).

Wallace said, “It is gratifying that the business held in the ZZICEC during its first year of operation has made a positive impression on international organisers like Montgomery. The attraction of such a firm is a credit to the ZZICEC’s success thus far, and more importantly, an indication of the venue’s potential.”

VMZL is the professional management company responsible for the management and operation of the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre (“ZZICEC”) under a Management Agreement with the ZZICEC’s owner representative, Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Company Limited (“ZCL”).

Sandy Angus, Montgomery’s Chairman, will visit Zhengzhou on 7 November. He will be hosted by VMZL Chairman Wallace and Director Monica Lee-Muller, along with ZZICEC General Manager Andrew Garcia. Angus participated along with government officials in the ZZICEC’s signing ceremonies on 21 May 2006 when the contract between VMZL and Zhengzhou government was made effective.

From his office in London, Mr. Angus said today, “I saw very clearly during my last visit to Zhengzhou that the ZZICEC has great potential and offers an excellent business platform for Montgomery. The commitment to the ZZICEC by the Zhengzhou government and the ongoing improvements to Zhengzhou’s infrastructure make it a city to watch closely. Coupled with professional private venue management, the ZZICEC has every opportunity to become one of China’s premier exhibition centers.”

Based in London, Montgomery is active in China, India, Russia, Poland, Hungary and South Africa where it is also the majority shareholder in Expo Centre, the largest exhibition complex on the African Continent. Montgomery’s strengths lie primarily in the management of a number of brands which have been developed during its 110 year history.

The oldest of these is Interbuild founded in 1895 and serves the building and construction machinery industry in Africa and India. IFE, the International Food and Drink series of exhibitions, is the global food brand which has been established in the United States, UK, South Africa, India and Eastern Europe.

Montgomery is closely involved in a number of joint ventures and is currently exploring the opportunities in the consumer market in China. Executives of Montgomery see the PRC as one of the largest and least exploited sector in the event and exhibition industry and are looking at certain key market places in which to establish their business.

The specific markets within China that are of interest to Montgomery include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and now, Zhengzhou. In Zhengzhou, they see excellent facilities in a modern exhibition centre with the opportunity of hosting large numbers of people. Centrally located in a state-of-the-art venue the increasingly affluent population of Zhengzhou and Henan makes this an ideal location for both consumer and trade shows in Henan Province.

ZZICEC is a new exhibition and convention centre in a newly developed business district of Zhengzhou between the CBD and Zhengzhou’s airport. It has been managed by VMZL since 1 June 2006. VMZL provided consultation to ZCL on the ZZICEC from September 2005.

The exhibition portion of the ZZICEC includes two major exhibits halls with a total rentable area of 66,000 sq m and there exists an additional 38,000 sq m of outdoor exhibition area.