MCI Mid-Year Review
About financial results, growth, climate change, conference COP15, and Shanghai World Expo
Geneva, Switzerland – May 25th, 2009. MCI announces results for the business year 2008 with a volume (turnover) of EUR 210.2 M (181.7 M in 2007, +15.7%), and a gross margin (GM or GP) of EUR 58.9 M (+16% from 2007). For 2008, our corporate and association clients represented 55% and 45% respectively of our revenues. Our turnover consists of organic growth, acquisitions and start-ups.
Our Asian operations recorded strong growth during the year with offices achieving a gross margin of EUR 3.3 M, signifying an impressive increase of 182% compared to 2007. 30% of this growth is attributed to organic growth and 70% is due to the opening of new offices such as MCI Bengaluru, MCI Delhi and MCI Hong Kong, and to extension, through mergers, of MCI Singapore and MCI Mumbai.
MCI continues growth with new offices in Copenhagen, Beijing and the French Riviera – Last April, MCI merged with NHG A/S in Copenhagen. Already present in Scandinavia with offices in Stockholm and Gothenburg, MCI develops its presence in the region by expanding in one of the most rapidly growing cities in Europe. In 2009 our Danish office will be privileged to serve the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15), the follower to the Kyoto meeting, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) assembly, the host selection body for the 2016 Olympic Location.
After the successful launch and development of MCI Shanghai office in 2006 and the opening of MCI Hong Kong in 2008, MCI Beijing opened its doors to provide operational excellence in event management and strategic guidance solutions for associations in the Central Business District of Beijing. In July 2009, MCI Beijing will welcome 3,000 delegates representing the Million Dollar Round Table, a global life insurance and financial services association, for a two-day event filled with networking, industry knowledge sharing and sessions to inspire entrepreneurial spirit.
MCI’s latest development in France, after Paris, Lyon and recently Montpellier, is being announced during IMEX with the opening of the new MCI French Riviera office on June 1st. The new office’s strategic location in the South East of France will serve new clients and markets with congress, event and communication management.
Climate Change Conference (COP15) partners with MCI - With an industry leading commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and the UN Global Compact, MCI is winning the privilege of organizing the most important climate change events worldwide in 2009. The Danish Government has entrusted MCI to be the PCO for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). In addition, MCI consultants provide the event organizers with guidance and systems to improve the social, environmental and economic performance of their organizations, operations and services.
Shanghai World Expo 2010 - Based on its nomination as ‘Service Partner’ of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, MCI launches its global sales and marketing campaign at IMEX to stimulate meetings and incentive traffic from around the world to China. The 184-days long 2010 World Expo will feature over 200 national pavilions and expects 70 million visitors. The event will be a perfect moment for corporations and associations to host their national and international meetings, conferences, corporate events, product launches, and general assemblies during the Expo in Shanghai. Several event venues on the Expo-ground will be available for association meetings and corporate receptions, including the two VIP rooms at the Swiss Pavilion, for which MCI Shanghai is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement as ‘Official Supplier’.
Furthermore, at the beginning of the month, the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA) named 16 new “Shanghai Conference Ambassadors” to play an important role to market the City of Shanghai to the global marketplace last May. The efforts of the Ambassadors, together with the SMTA are to increase the professional association conference business coming to Shanghai. MCI’s President of the Asia Pacific Region, Robin Lokerman, was named as a Shanghai Conference Ambassador, and he is one of the first foreigners to join this elite group of senior executives.
For further information, please contact:
Vanessa Sharp
Group Communication Director
MCI HQ
vanessa.sharp@mci-group.com
Phone: +41 22 33 99 544