As we have rolled into 2023, the big story for our industry is the re-opening of China. Gong hei fat choy (恭喜发财) indeed, and may the year of the rabbit be the one where we see China leave the pandemic behind. Our industry is ready for it, and if we use the recovery rates in the other major exhibition markets around the world as an indicator, then we can expect healthy business there again in a few months.

In a blog post in December, UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf outlined five themes that will shape the next 12 to 18 months. In a 2 part blog post, we will share strategies that UFI members are deploying around these themes in 2023.

In a blog post in December, UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf outlined five themes that will shape the next 12 to 18 months. In a 2 part blog post, we will share strategies that UFI members are deploying around these themes in 2023.

With the big news out of China on the relaxing of the zero-COVID policies, I spoke with Michael Kruppe, General Manager of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the largest Western owned and run exhibition center in China, which has been closed for the last year.

As I look back and reflect on my experience at the UFI Global Congress, held Nov. 14-17 in Muscat, Oman, one of the most informative and valuable sessions to me was the Global Exhibition Industry Board Meeting, which featured senior leadership from a variety of companies — including ADNEC Group, Emerald, Messe Muenchen, EasyFairs and RX Global — discussing the current state of affairs in their functions as CEO, CFO, HR Director, CIO and Director of Strategy & Investment. Montgomery Group Chairman Sandy Angus moderated the session together with UFI’s Caitlin Reed and asked tough questions about the most pressing topics at the moment.

I am hugely honoured to be in this position, and I will ensure that I will work hard with the UFI team and the Board to bring back our industry from the challenges of Covid and other economic and geopolitical matters which have affected both our business and personal lives.

A lingering pandemic in China and elsewhere. War in Europe. Inflation rates not seen in a generation in major markets. Droughts, hurricanes, and record temperatures. It’s certainly not “business as usual” as we write the closing chapter for 2022. And 2023? Not all will be black and white, and economists are using endless types of grey in their outlooks for the next year.