How do exhibition companies make money on digital events and services? That’s a big question being answered by those who have had success. Philippe Brocart, Managing Director of Maison & Objet, one of Europe’s leading gift and design shows, is one of those. He will share some tips, hazards and ideas while kicking off the annual UFI European Conference, this June 9-10 online.

The show has had a proprietary online marketplace since 2017 – five years ago!

Nick Dugdale-Moore, UFI’s Regional Director Europe will chat with Anna Dycheva-Smirnova, CEO UK, Russia, Middle East & Turkey, Reed Exhibitions, about the current European landscape and Reed’s reopening strategies. With each country and regions, information changes daily.

One new thing planned for this year’s digital event is Speed Networking. Offered during scheduled breaks, AI matches Conference delegates with potential contacts, assigning them to one-on-one, three-minute conversations. After the time is over delegates move onto the next person selected. For those who don’t want to mingle (or are done speed networking), the Rooftop Terrace Bar will be open for networking amongst delegates and sponsors.

A hot topic in our industry right now is around who owns the data – platforms or organizers? The Data Debate – Who’s Data? features CEOs from three platforms: ExpoPlatform, Grip and Swapcard along with Freeman’s International Brand Ambassador Jo-Anne Kelleway. Expect a freewheeling open conversation about this contentious subject.

Day 1 will also feature deep-dive roundtable sessions, where delegates will get to join the speakers face to face and become part of the conversation.  The event also features live music performances, including Andrew Bernardi performing on his 1696 Amici Stradivarius from the Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

Day 2 offerings include sessions from Olivier Ferraton, CEO of GL events and an M&A discussion moderated by UFI’s Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO with Simon Kimble, Executive Chairman, Clarion Events Ltd. and Douglas Emslie, Group CEO, Tarsus Group. Their global perspective on future M&A should be interesting and informative.

Also planned is a Footvolley Challenge which will be streamed live from all over Europe: Messe Wien (Vienna, Austria); ExCel  (London, England); Palais de Festivals de Cannes, (France) Messe Frankfurt, (Germany),  RAI Amsterdam (Holland); Fiera Roma (Italy),  Fira Barcelona (Spain) and MCH Basel (Switzerland). National footvolley teams from each country will compete in this mixture of soccer and volleyball. No hands allowed!

Purposefully designed in short segments over two afternoons, this year’s UFI European Conference is open for registration for only €99 for UFI members and €149 for non-members. Register today!  See you there!