I have been “on the road” quite a bit in recent weeks, both across Asia and Europe, and am very much encouraged by the packed show floors and showgrounds I have seen in places as different as Oslo, Norway (for the “Norshipping” show), Paris (for the “Paris Air Show”) and Hong Kong (for the June Jewellery event). But as UFI President, my highlight of the month was to be in Maastricht, in the very south of The Netherlands, for our European Conference and everything that the UFI team had arranged around itself. One of UFI’s oldest events, it had its challenges in the past, but has put on a remarkable recovery in recent years – leading to a sold-out edition with around 300 participants this year. I especially liked the blend of session formats – some fresh ideas there. And while not everything worked out perfectly well all the time, we all benefit from experiencing new ideas and formats. The bicycling in the mornings around the city was great fun…….not something I can easily do in Hong Kong! As every year, the UFI leadership also met ahead of this Conference, with the usual packed agenda. I want to highlight our [...]

In life as in business, closure is important. It marks a moment in time when something truly comes to an end. A few days ago, I felt a sense of closure, attending an industry summit in Shanghai. Again, for one more time and for one last time, I was at a major meeting where colleagues from our industry were meeting again for the first time after the pandemic break in their region.

Professional exhibition organisers (PEO) have the expertise and knowledge to contribute significantly for creating impactful experiences for exhibitors and visitors. These organizers play a critical role in designing, planning, and executing successful exhibitions that bring together the business community to foster connections and drive growth. Empowering a PEO enables them to harness their expertise, creativity, and industry knowledge to provide exceptional experiences that meet the evolving needs and expectations of exhibitors and visitors. This blog delve into the reasons why empowering PEO is crucial for the growth and effectiveness of the industry. One powerful way to empower PEOs is through support schemes, which contribute to improved efficiency in planning and executing exhibitions. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) plays a crucial role in encouraging PEOs by offering support schemes in various areas, including industry connections, sustainability practices, and creating memorable exhibition experiences. For instance, TCEB provides tangible advisory services and facilitates connections with recommended or qualified partners, establishing a solid foundation for industry relationships. Also, support is extended through publicizing exhibitions via various communication channels, sharing knowledge and trends on technology, innovation, and sustainability practices or guidelines, and offering government facilitation services such as customs, visas, and MICE lane [...]

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”.