The Auto Maintenance and Repair Expo (AMR) concluded on 23 March 2024 at the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) with strong results in terms of the exhibition area, and number of exhibitors (1.061) and visitors (45.616 visits).
Expotalent is a foundation initiated by three experienced professionals in the expo-events industry: Gert Jan van den Nieuwenhoff (Ahoy), Ids Boersma (RAI), and Ton Otten (Jaarbeurs).
Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), the award-winning World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre for the year 2023, hosted its first Ramadan Ghabga for members of the media on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Close to 300 delegates from 20 countries and regions attended the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference in Macau. The annual event was held at The Parisian Macao and hosted by the Macau Fair & Trade Association.
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has approved the rights for Thailand, a registered candidate, to host the 2029 International Horticultural Expo or “Korat Expo 2029.”
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) is a global organisation uniting thousands of growers of flowers and ornamental plants. It is the approving body of International Horticultural Expos, such as Expo Doha Qatar 2023.
Sustainability is more important than ever for European tourists, and Asian destinations are increasingly harnessing this potential.
ADIPEC will be held in Abu Dhabi on 4-7 November 2024, advancing tangible action across the entire energy value chain, accelerating decarbonisation and advancing the global energy transformation.
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, and AsiaWorld-Expo have signed a multi-year Diamond Sponsorship Agreement, underlining AsiaWorld-Expo’s commitment to the ongoing development of the exhibition industry.
With a global range of exhibitors, learning sessions that dig into today’s most pertinent issues and opportunities to build new connections, IMEX Frankfurt 2024 is set to be a show with impact.
Farnborough Internation has purchased a 48 per cent ownership of Automotion Events, the company behind The British Motor Show, to support the brand in growing its automotive portfolio.
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has made a significant stride in its commitment to elevate the nation’s business events industry.
Augsburger Schwabenhallen Messe- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe are the latest new members of AUMA – the association of the German trade fair industry.
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, has released the latest 32nd edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research which takes the pulse of the industry.
Last night, beMatrix won the award for 'Best Stand Design' in the category of stands from 30 to 69 square metres.
IOT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC), the leading global event on industry transformation through the use of disruptive technologies, will showcase the latest advances and trends in this field.
IMEX Frankfurt 2024 holds up the mirror to the big shifts and changes in the industry by bringing together event professionals.
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, is proud to announce its 2024 series of regional conferences and co-located events.
Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) is gearing up to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Workshop on January 22, 2024, in the presence of Nasser Ali Qaedi, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).
This article delves into the necessity of agile internal structures within the trade fair industry, emphasizing the importance of embracing digital competencies, restructuring organizational frameworks, and fostering a demand-driven approach.
22.11.2022
UFI welcomed more than 400 UFI delegates, from over 50 countries and regions, to its 89th annual Global Congress in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, from 14 to 17 November.
The Global Congress is always the largest, most international, and final event of the year for UFI members. It aims to build on the programming and conversations that occurred at all its events throughout the year and give a preview into the industry for 2023. The global industry was hosted by the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre and markets like Germany, Italy, the UK, US, India and, of course, the GCC region sent significant numbers of participants. Oman’s Minister for Heritage and Tourism, Salim bin Mohammed bin Said Al Mahroqi, attended the Congress opening and held talks with the UFI leadership, underlining the importance of the sector for the development of Oman.
The Congress is known as a global platform for industry leaders to learn, network, and drive business. Four days of meetings, main stage keynotes and sessions, topical deep dives, and numerous networking events provided a multitude of opportunities to recharge old connections and make new ones.
Summarising the event UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf says: “This year’s Congress will be remembered for a long time. We returned to the Middle East for the first time in ten years, and we see significant progression in the industry throughout the region, with more markets growing their infrastructure and offerings for our sector. We re-balanced the mix between networking and content time. The networking areas were buzzing, the stands of our partners were busy. We were delighted to welcome many first time attendees, and we’re even more pleased to know they left with new peers and contacts.”
Speakers & Content Programme
With around 60 speakers from around the world, the Congress delivered a mix of keynotes and breakout sessions. Opening speaker (and two times Oscar winner) Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoi showed the audience the power of story in transforming the world. She helped the audience to understand how the invisible can be brought into view and how we all have the power to change the way we think and view culture. She received a standing ovation from the audience.
UFI’s 2022 Class of “Next Generation Leaders”- Monika Baro, Jo Kowalsky, Justine Rebel, Daniella Galante, Maria Victoria Piñeres and Jon Yahirun – followed Ms. Obaid-Chinoi’s advice and presented precisely such a story – the story of a new career narrative to attract talent globally into the exhibition industry.
Sandy Angus, outgoing chairman at Montgomery Group, led the first edition of a new format, the “Global Exhibition Industry Board Meeting”, where leaders like David Doft (CFO, Emerald Expositions), Anne Lafére (CEO, Easyfairs), Derar al Manaseer (director Strategy & Investment, ADNEC), Christian Gerdau (CIO, Messe München) and Kevin O’Donoghue (HR director, RX Global) discussed today’s challenges and mid-term strategies.
Also taking place for the first time, a designated speed networking session made sure first timers as well as Congress veterans got to know a number of new people ahead of the main programme. Through a mix of session formats, delegates could engage directly in topics of specific relevance to them. The xChange stage provides an additional segment with presentations from destinations and event tech companies. UFI members can access all the talks and presentation in the members section of the UFI website.
Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative
Sustainability continues to drive a lot of UFI’s activities. Alexander Alles, Executive Director of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, and UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf could report on the Roadmap of the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative, which had just been presented by both on them and many industry leaders at the COP27 Global Climate Conference in Sharm El Sheikh on 11 November.
Many UFI members have been among the first industry groups joining the pledge, and the Congress honoured their engagement. UFI is proud to be one of the more than 400 industry actors supporting the pledge.
Welcome to the 2022/23 UFI president
At the close of the Congress, Michael Duck, EVP at Informa Markets, formally took over the office of UFI president for the year to come. Addressing the global UFI community, he says: “This industry of ours is a ‘catalyst. It is a wonderful way to bring people and communities and our hopes and aspirations together. I am hugely honoured to be in this position as your president, and I will ensure that I will work hard with the UFI team and the board to bring back our industry from the challenges of covid and other economic and geopolitical matters which have affected both our business and personal lives."
Michael succeeds, Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited. In 2023, Michael and Monica will also serve as a part of UFI’s Trio, the incoming, present, and immediately past presidents of the association, along with incoming president Geoff Dickinson, CEO of dmg events.
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