IDG Develops Partnerships in Vietnam to Expand Its Activities
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 7/18/2005
During a recent visit to the United States by top Vietnamese government officials, Intl. Data Group signed two agreements that, among other things, could expand its activities in that country's events industry.
IDG, which already produces six shows in Vietnam, will help organize the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation technology CEO/CIO Summit and Awards event in Vietnam in November 2006. The company will also help organize technology events and awards programs in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
The firm also agreed to provide advice and support to Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology as it plans a conference and exposition center at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Ha Tay province. In one of two memorandums of understanding they signed June 25 with Vietnamese officials, IDG and the ministry agreed to study the possibility of the company renting the center and helping construct an exhibition hall.
IDG's Vietnam division currently produces the annual Banking Vietnam, CIO Indochina Conference & Awards, ICT in Education, Storage & Security Conference & Expo and Vietnam Computerworld Expo (co-produced with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry). It also produces the biennial COMNET Vietnam (co-produced with the ministry).
The agreements were signed during a meeting with the Vietnamese business and government officials, including Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. — the last stop in a historic visit to the United States.
In the first agreement, IDG and VCCI also agreed to work together to develop the use of information technology in Vietnamese enterprises. The second agreement — with the science and technology ministry — will help build high-tech research and development capacity, promote the development of high-tech industries, and encourage innovation and commercialization of technology products in Vietnam.
Hugo Shong, senior vice president of IDG and president and CEO of IDG Asia, said the two deals "have significant and strategic importance to IDG by establishing a secure long-term relationship" with the Vietnamese government. "This is a very exciting time."
