UFI Blog – The platform for the Exhibition Industry
UFI brings together those who build, maintain, and support the world’s market places: trade show organisers, venue owners and operators, service providers, and national as well as international associations of our industry. The UFI Blog shares the voices of industry professionals around the globe. We invite you to become part of the community, supply your comments and share your ideas. Enjoy reading – Your UFI team
Exhibitions and the Rise of Agents
Let’s be honest—AI doesn’t wow us quite like it used to. Once we get used to chatting with ChatGPT or Claude, generating images with Midjourney, creating videos with Runway, or making deepfakes with HeyGen, we’re left wondering: “So, what’s next?”
Fueling a Greener Future: Green Logistics in Action
Improving urban quality of life and mobility requires collaboration between the private and public sectors to prevent widening inequality.
UFI Member Spotlight: Meet Michael Duck of Informa Markets
As part of our centennial celebrations, we're spotlighting the leaders, innovators, and visionaries who have shaped our association over the years. A long-time member based in Hong Kong, Michael has worn many hats at UFI, including Treasurer and President. True to his favourite saying, “An association is only as good as the efforts the members put into it,” Michael has always led by example.
UFI Member Spotlight: Meet Jessica Sibila of The Exhibitor Advocate
As part of our centennial celebrations, we're spotlighting the leaders, innovators, and visionaries who have shaped our association over the years. This month, we spoke to Jessica Sibila from the USA. As an association, she knows that collaboration is the key to success. That’s why joining UFI was a natural step for her—to connect across the global exhibition industry.
AI-Powered Automation and Augmentation: A New Era for the Exhibition Industry
The exhibition industry is at a pivotal crossroads. Traditionally built on personal interactions, trade shows and business events are now integrating AI-driven automation and augmentation to enhance efficiency and engagement. However, this transformation must be handled with care, trust in AI, creative problem-solving, and a balanced approach to productivity remain critical success factors.
Driving into Sustainability Road, paving the way for Global Exhibitions
Improving urban quality of life and mobility requires collaboration between the private and public sectors to prevent widening inequality.
UFI Member Spotlight: Meet Paulo Octavio of UBRAFE
As part of our centennial celebrations, we're spotlighting the leaders, innovators, and visionaries who have shaped our association over the years. This month, we sat down with Paulo Octavio Almeida from Brazil. For him, UFI is more than just an institution—it’s a network of faces, partnerships, and shared goals that make the exhibition industry thrive.
International Women’s Day: Honouring Mary Larkin
On International Women's Day, we're honouring Mary Larkin (President of the Americas, Nineteen Group). Discover her journey, her experience as UFI's first woman President, and her advice on empowering women in exhibitions below.
Letter from the UFI President: March 2025
I am extremely happy and honoured to address you all, our global UFI community which really is the global exhibition community – as I assume the Presidency of UFI for the coming year.