RX hands Asia Pacific reins to 30-year company veteran

SINGAPORE: Thomas, who has clocked three decades at RX, spent the past year overseeing operations in Australia, Singapore, South Korea and Indonesia whilst helping launch RX Bitec, the firm’s new joint venture in Thailand. The promotion hands him control of a region that accounts for a chunky slice of RX’s portfolio, spanning trade shows from construction to jewellery.

RX Global global chief executive Hugh Jones praised Thomas as “a proven leader with deep regional expertise and a strong track record of delivering results”—corporate speak for someone who knows how to squeeze revenue out of exhibition halls. Thomas, for his part, pledged to “build on the strong foundation laid by Chien Ee.”

Chien Ee Yeh’s departure marks the end of an era for RX’s Asian operations, though the company offered no details on what the retiring executive plans to do next. Perhaps count his frequent-flyer miles.

Thomas inherits a business navigating the post-pandemic return of in-person events, rising competition from digital platforms, and the perpetual challenge of convincing companies that trade shows still matter. Whether his 30 years of institutional knowledge will be enough remains the question. Time to find out.