Posted by

Barry Siskind

Community Manager

 

One of the highlights of this year’s UFI’s Congress promises to come from the panel discussion titled “Business Events in the Future.” I caught up with Denzil Rankin, Founder and Chief Executive of AMR International who will be part of this stellar panel which includes, Hakan Gershagen from easyFairs, Rod Cameron and Martin Sirk from the International Association of Congress centres. His response should get us thinking about this topic.

Barry – In your opinion what are the key obstacles organizers will face in the future as they adapt to the changes in their businesses?

Denzil – Finding compelling business models that work in the knowledge economy. Typically, they are not based on square meters. Organizationally, it’s inertia. Change is difficult to push through organizations.
Barry – Will the current economic uncertainties slow the process of change or act as a motivator to make changes happen faster?

 

Denzil – Economic pressure forces change. It allows new models to develop and kills outdated ones. Shows that have not evolved with their industries and the needs of visitors will suffer or even fail.
Barry – Is the process of change a result of demographics or are there other variables to consider?

 

Denzil – Industry life cycles are key, as is the role of events within the lifecycle. A broad-based or horizontal show will have a number of different lifecycles across its various segments.

 

You’ll want to check out the rest of the 78th UFI Congress program at http://valencia2011.ufi.evenium.com/ and Twitter at #ufivalencia