Blogger: Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director
We are two months away from “Global Exhibitions Day“, so today I want to share with you the latest news on how people all around the world are getting ready to send a joint message about the importance of the exhibition industry.
Global Exhibitions Day is a combination of all our efforts. It is an invitation to promote the value of our industry, together, with a single and cohesive voice.
More than 30 associations, dozens of UFI members – organisers, venues and service providers – and hundreds of individuals have already pledged their support for this initiative. From Sao Paulo to Shanghai, from Scandinavia to South Africa, people are getting involved to celebrate our industry on 8 June. From our Paris headquarters we are supporting and connecting numerous efforts to host events, invite VIPs, and create special moments to share what makes the exhibitions industry special.
These include a Conference and Gala Dinner in Hong Kong organised by HKECIA, special “spotlight events“ in Australia organised through EEAA in connection with their annual Leaders Forum, a RUEF Conference in Moscow, and a celebration in Poland on the occasion of the ITM exhibition organised by Poznán International Fair. Also on 8 June, US colleagues will talk to lawmakers on Capital Hill at the US Exhibition Day together with an alliance of US associations brought together by IAEE. Germany’s Institute for the Trade Fair Industry, part of AUMA, will host a special open house for professors and students. The UFI International Summer University will also kick off in Cologne, bringing together top executives and future leaders of the trade fair industry for three days of learning about the customer journey.
Besides the events, there is a lot of activity in online communities and social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and LinkedIn. From CEOs to trainees, people are sharing their perspectives and passions for our industry, and helping to spread the word. Want to see for yourself? Click here.
If you want to get involved as well, it is easy, and on behalf of everyone in the exhibition industry, I want to ask you to do so. Anything you can do to contribute to the greater impact of our initiative will help to promote the exhibition industry.
Here are just some ideas of what you can do to support #GED16:
- You can add the #GED16 logo to your email signature and other communication materials;
- You might film a ‘highlights’ video from behind the scenes of the exhibition industry;
- You can look for regional events to join on #GED16;
- You can collect and share quotes / interviews from your staff and clients on their highlights of working within the exhibition industry. E.g. what was their best exhibition experience or the most significant moment in their career.
Thank you in advance for your support and activities. Let’s work together on our industry’s future!
Finally today, while talking about the future, let me draw your attention to UFI’s new “Next Generation Leadership Grant“ that we have just announced and that is made possible through the valuable support of Reed Exhibitions. With this grant, we plan to give some of the most outstandingly talented exhibition professionals the chance to have their say in the future of our industry.
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