Dear Members and Friends of UFI, Happy New Year to all of you!

As we welcome 2025, I am honored to write this update as the new CEO of UFI. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been humbled by the warm welcome I’ve received from so many of you—thank you for your kind words, encouragement, and promise of support as I step into this role.

Last week, I had the privilege of representing UFI at the 20th China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO) in Tianjin and at the 2025 Beijing Meeting for International Convention & Exhibition Organisers. These events welcomed almost 1000 people from Government and Industry, and both reinforced the vital role our industry plays in fostering collaboration, innovation, and driving economic growth. I look forward to sharing more highlights and reflections from these events in the coming days. These moments remind me of the strength and unity of our global community, the huge respect and value UFI holds worldwide, and I look forward to participating in many more opportunities in the future.

Before moving forward, I want to take a moment to acknowledge Kai Hattendorf, whose leadership over the past 10 years has left an indelible mark on UFI and our industry. Kai’s dedication, vision, and commitment have positioned UFI as a global leader, and I am grateful for his comprehensive handover as he prepares to conclude his tenure. Thank you, Kai, for your remarkable service and for leaving UFI in such excellent shape as we embark on our next chapter.

As I settle into this role, my immediate priority will be listening, learning, and connecting with our community. I am particularly excited to work closely with Hugh Jones, our president, and Adeline Vancauwelaert, our COO, whose expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we move forward. In the coming weeks and months, I plan to focus on a thorough period of exploration and engagement with the UFI team, our Executive Committee, Board, Chapter Chairs, and as many of our members worldwide as possible.

This research phase will allow me to gather valuable insights and feedback, which will help form my thoughts and plans that I’ll share and discuss with Hugh, the Trio, and UFI Team to ensure we achieve our aims and ambitions and fulfil UFI’s potential to drive positive sustainable change globally. Your input is critical to shaping our shared vision, and I look forward to hearing from as many of you as possible during this process.

Looking ahead, I am excited to meet many of you in person at the Global CEO Summit (GCS) in Milan—a signature event that always inspires dynamic discussions and fosters lasting connections. Additionally, I am eager to support Mark Cochrane and our Asia-Pacific team at the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference in Melbourne next month. These events are essential in driving forward our mission to support and strengthen the exhibition industry worldwide.

This year holds even greater significance as we celebrate 100 years of UFI—a milestone that underscores the resilience, adaptability, and innovation of our industry. I am thrilled to be part of this historic moment, and I look forward to working with all of you to honour our past, embrace the present, and chart a bold course for the future.

If you’d like to connect, share your thoughts, or simply chat, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your feedback and ideas are always welcome, and I look forward to building strong partnerships as we move forward together.

Thank you once again for your trust and support. I am truly excited about the journey ahead and am honoured to lead this incredible organisation into its next century.

Warm regards,
Chris Skeith OBE
CEO, UFI