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Spending some time at IMEX in Frankfurt a few days back, being involved in various industry initiatives, I once again experienced that we are a “we” industry.  An industry that delivers best when people, businesses, and organisations work together. Collaboration happens on every level. Done well, it makes a difference. In a discussion at IMEX, a room full of association and policy leaders was asked to state what is holding our industry back. The results were shown in a cloud of words. One of the biggest terms: “Industry Egos”. A timely reminder from within our global industry leadership that getting things done needs frameworks and structures, but mostly the willingness to walk together, not alone.

This edition of UFI Info goes out just one day before our annual “Global Exhibitions Day”. As you read these lines, colleagues around the world are putting the final touches to their activities and posts for this biggest advocacy day of our industry. Across the time zones – from Auckland in New Zealand to Las Vegas in the US – a flurry of on site and online activities will hit local venues and social media alike...

The ARIA Resort & Casino is the headquarters hotel for the upcoming UFI Congress in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4. Located in the center of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, the venue is part of MGM’s Luxury Meetings District, along with the Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Nomad, Park MGM and Vdara. The District accommodates groups up to 10,000 attendees looking for a contained and innovative large group experience.

Growing concerns for the environment from consumers have added pressure on businesses to contribute greater environmental care. This growing concern for environmental impacts is also far reaching, impacting the global exhibition industry, including Thailand. Exhibitors and visitors of trade exhibitions alike are becoming interested in making sustainability-focus choices.

Our spring conferences season is in full swing. Last month, we welcomed more than 220 colleagues at our Asia-Pacific Conference in Kuala Lumpur. Later this month, our members from Latin America and beyond will meet in San José, Costa Rica, for the LatAm Conference. Then it’s over to Doha, Qatar, for the MEA Conference in May, and we’ll wrap up in June with a whole events week in Maastricht, co-locating the European Conference with two Forums on HR and Operations – and premiering the new, already sold out, “Event Directors Summit”.

When following all the dynamic developments around our industry in recent months, the phrase “from zero to hero” comes to my mind. The speed with which we have raced out of the pandemic slump… our business model confirmed, our purpose revigorated, our colleagues giving it all to serve our customers… what a pace. What an experience to live through.

Trade exhibition plays an important role in providing a platform for industrialists to conduct businesses on an international and local scale. They make a significant contribution to multiple industry sectors around the world.

Dear colleagues, dear friends, We are two months away from this year’s Global Exhibitions Day – the 7th of June! Launched by UFI and many many other industry associations back in 2016, this day has quickly become a true force of advocacy for our sector.