The UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2026 has successfully concluded at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), reinforcing Bangkok’s growing reputation as a leading destination for international MICE events.
The 12th Chengdu International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts and Aftermarket Services (Capas) will be held in Chengdu from 21 to 23 May 2026.
Breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed tumor among women worldwide, takes center stage this week in Barcelona for an international scientific debate on its challenges and opportunities.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse – Asia’s premier annual e-commerce and marketing events – will be held concurrently on 19 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
11.8 billion euros are spent by exhibiting companies on their trade fair appearances in an average trade fair year in Germany. Visitors to trade fairs in Germany spend an average of 3.9 billion euros during this period.
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, has launched its new Strategy on Learning, setting out how professional learning and development will be supported across the organisation and the global exhibition community.
Petfood Forum Europe and the Interzoo Sustainability Conference will both be held on 11 May, setting the stage for the world’s leading trade fair for the pet supplies industry.
India’s furniture and interiors industry is entering a decisive growth phase driven by urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, premium housing, hospitality demand, and a sharp rise in global sourcing interest.
Senior business event decision-makers and place leaders are invited to the new IMEX Place Leaders Forum (formerly the Policy Forum).
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) announces its 2026 World Summit in Dubai, embodying the theme: “Beyond Boundaries.”
Jwc – the renowned consultancy for the exhibition and conference industry – has published the latest edition of its annual Global Exhibition Industry Performance Review (GIPR).
Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) is fully set to welcome, for the first time, the 6th World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF 2026).
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by Legends Global, has unveiled Connect Create, a new in house content creation service that helps clients bring their stories to life.
The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), jointly organised by the Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) Government and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully today.
Next autumn, a new European event will be held in the Catalan capital that will showcase the latest innovations in batteries and energy storage systems for industrial applications and large infrastructures.
The trade fair industry in Germany contributes approximately 30 billion euros to the country's prosperity annually.
A new Economic Impact Study conducted by KPMG on behalf of EMECA highlights the relevance of the European exhibition industry.
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, is pleased to announce that AsiaWorld-Expo has renewed its multi-year UFI Diamond Sponsorship agreement further strengthening its longstanding partnership with UFI.
A new report from IMEX, 25 in 2025, offers event industry professionals around the globe a fresh, thought-provoking look at the ideas, movements, and cultural shifts that defined the past year—and a glimpse of what’s coming next.
01.10.2024
The global association of the exhibition industry, has selected Chris Skeith, OBE, as the organisation’s next Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Kai Hattendorf on the 1st of January 2025.
Skeith will join UFI from the AEO (Association of Event Organisers), the leading association for organisers of events in the UK and internationally, where he has served as the organisation’s CEO since 2014.
“We interviewed several excellent candidates both from within and outside of UFI, and with Chris, we are convinced that we have selected an excellent leader to continue the development and evolution of UFI as our industry’s globally leading trade body”, says Geoff Dickinson, UFI president. “Chris has been active in UFI for many years, chairing the Associations Committee and serving on UFI’s Executive Committee. In his AEO role, he has worked closely with our present management team, Kai and Adeline, on many issues, from Event Management to Advocacy. He is uniquely qualified to take on the role of the UFI CEO with his excellent track record.”
“I look forward to continuing to serve our great industry, now on a global level at UFI”, says Chris Skeith. “I am joining a UFI team that is already setting the global standard on research, advocacy, collaboration and community excellence, and I will do my very best to build on the great work that has been done in the last decade.”
Chris started his career in media auditing at the Audit Bureau of Circulations, where he later led on the development of their auditing products for the event sector. In 2006 Chris moved to the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), overseeing the merger of AEC & BECA to form ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association). In 2010, he also became Director of ESSA’s sister association, AEV (Association of Event Venues), driving venue engagement through numerous special interest groups before moving on to AEO in 2014. He continues to be a Director of EIA, which represents the sector to government and regulators. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021, he was awarded an OBE for services to the Events Industry.
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