Andrés López Valderrama
Over 400 delegates from more than 50 countries are expected to gather in Milan for UFI’s 82nd Congress on 4 – 7 November to explore the latest trends in the global exhibition industry. UFI was founded here in Italy by 20 leading European international trade fairs back in 1925. Since then the association has grown continuously. Today it represents 676 members from 82 countries, clearly underlining UFI’s unique global role for the exhibition industry.
The Congress, entitled “The Exhibition Industry 2030”, will be hosted by one of UFI’s founding members, Fondazione Fiera Milano.
“In the exhibition industry, where the very nature of the business makes UFI’s members as much partners as competitors, this annual gathering is a unique opportunity for delegates to enjoy networking and start new projects”, says Andrés López Valderrama, UFI President. “With the focus on the future “Exhibition Industry 2030”, a roster of international speakers will share their thoughts on key trends which they believe will shape our businesses. In this fast changing environment, I strongly believe that trade shows and exhibitions are the central platforms for showcasing innovations and latest developments”.
With the business world likely to change ever faster in the coming years, companies will need to innovate their way to future success. Following the overall Congress theme, Prof. Vito di Bari, Innovation Designer and Futurist will challenge delegates to take advantage of new opportunities during his keynote “the world 2030”.
As we operate in an increasingly complex, competitive and challenging global market, companies will rely ever more on a smart, diverse and flexible workforce. A panel discussion on “winning the war for talent” will feature Marco Giberti, Founder and CEO, Vesuvio Ventures, Maria Martinez, Organisation, Human Resources and Systems Director, IFEMA, Janice Rogers, Corporate Vice President of Human Resources, Diversified Communications, and Mike Rusbridge, Chairman at Reed Exhibitions. Panellists and delegates will debate what the exhibition industry does to attract the right talents and if that is sufficient.
Some organisers are already pushing the boundaries of traditional events with concepts that are at once innovative and business-like. Jay Weintraub, Founder and CEO, Grow.co. & LeadsCon.com, and Lawrence Coburn, CEO and co-founder of DoubleDutch, will discuss how the exhibition industry can successfully attract young audiences to events, take advantage of the opportunities that technology presents and generate profitable new businesses.
To provide a good understanding of what the future foresees for the exhibition industry, Jochen Witt of jwc will present a detailed analysis of his latest research in his “2015 Global Industry Review”.
The 82nd UFI Congress concludes with a presentation by Andrew Keen, entrepreneur and author. During his session “Is the Internet the answer?” Andrew will challenge some of the comfortable and uncomfortable assumptions many are now making about how their world is changing.
UFI innovates for the future as well. There are a number of modifications in the Congress programme this year, the most significant being the integration of the Special Interest Groups (SIG) into the main Congress programme. SIGs on family business, large venues, China, North America, InterExpo/government affairs, sustainable development, best practices and education, now take place firmly at the heart of the programme. This allows each and every delegate to customise their own Congress experience more than ever before.
Many internal UFI meetings are also scheduled during this 82nd UFI Congress, including the UFI Board of Directors Meeting, the UFI annual General Assembly, the UFI CEO Think Tank, UFI Regional Chapter meetings and a meeting of the UFI Associations’ Committee.
The end of the Congress will also see the handover of Managing Director responsibilities, as – after five years at the helm of the association’s operations – Paul Woodward will pass this position on to Kai Hattendorf who joined UFI from Messe Frankfurt this October.
As well as UFI’s Diamond Sponsors, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and GES, we thank the Congress Gold Sponsor, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) for their generous support.
True to UFI’s global reach and mission, the annual Congress moves from region to region. In 2016, it will take place in China, hosted by the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association in Shanghai from 9-12 November 2016.
Attached:
– Andrés López Valderrama’s portrait photo
– 82nd UFI Congress promotion page
For more information please contact:
UFI Headquarters
Angela Herberholz, UFI Marketing and Communications Manager
Email: angela@ufi.org
Tel: +33 (0) 46 39 75 00
www.ufi.org
