91st UFI Global Congress turns changes to chances

29.11.2024

UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, welcomed 600 delegates from over 55 countries to its 91st Global Congress in Cologne, Germany, from 20-23 November.

Hosted by Koelnmesse, UFI members from around the world, including members of AIPC, ICCA, and SISO associations, reunited for four days of networking and knowledge sharing.

“The strength of our industry lies in its ability to bring people together. The past few days in Cologne have impressively demonstrated what we can achieve when we unite our ideas, knowledge, and passion. We are returning to our companies with renewed energy and innovative ideas, ready to set new benchmarks and shape the future sustainably,” says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. “It was an honour to host the congress in our state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centre, Confex. I want to thank UFI for their trust.”

Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI, adds, “This year’s congress in Cologne will find a place among the biggest and best ones that this organisation has ever produced. Participants’ numbers match Shanghai 2016, which had been the best attended Congress to date. Beyond the numbers, and in great collaboration, we have been able to deliver value to each and every participant, empowering them to turn changes into chances in reflection of this year’s theme.”

Speakers & Content Programme
Centred on the theme “Changes to Chances,” the diverse programme defined and described the global changes underway and forthcoming, as well as tackled the question of which opportunities they will provide for the sector. The congress opened with an inspiring keynote by Anna Rosling Rönnlund, co-founder of Gapminder, titled “Gaining Clarity in a Changing World.” Rönnlund challenged attendees to rethink human biases and misconceptions, emphasising the importance of a fact-based approach over opinion-driven narratives to better understand the world.

The Power Hour session brought together analysts from The Economist Intelligence Unit and The Guardian for an in-depth look at forces shaping the industry. Topics ranged from the fragmented political landscape and generational divides to global economic growth and the transition to a greener, more sustainable future. Returning for a second year, specific Spotlight Sessions showcased this year’s UFI Award winners and their innovative projects. These sessions also explored essential industry topics, including energy, advocacy, and the pathway to achieving net zero carbon by 2050.

This year’s Next Generation Leaders (NGL) delivered an engaging presentation on leveraging artificial intelligence to elevate the exhibition industry. Their insights demonstrated AI's transformative potential in driving efficiency, innovation, and growth.

Lastly, the Country Focus Session, led by AUMA – the association of the German trade fair Industry and Koelnmesse, highlighted the role of trade fairs as critical international business hubs, underscoring Germany’s leadership in fostering global connections and commerce.

UFI Medal of Honour
For the first time, the UFI Medal of Honour was presented by president Geoff Dickinson. Selected in consultation with members of the UFI Trio, three honorees were recognised for their exceptional contributions to the global exhibition industry at large and the UFI community in particular.

Recipients are Sandy Angus (UFI president 2001–2003), Mary Larkin (UFI president 2020–2021), and Kai Hattendorf (UFI CEO since 2015).

Welcome to the 2024-25 UFI president
UFI welcomed Hugh Jones, CEO of RX, as the association’s new president for the 2024-25 year. Addressing the global UFI community, Jones said: “The exhibition industry is just one part of the global events industry. We are the “E” in the term “MICE” - Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions. In 2025, we need to push ahead with initiatives focused on our exhibitions business, and we must continue to lead by example and take the wider event industry with us on this.”

Jones succeeds Geoff Dickinson, CEO of dmg events. In 2025, both will serve as part of UFI’s Trio, which includes the association's incoming, present, and outgoing presidents. They will be joined by incoming president Panittha Buri, vice chairperson of the Bhiraj Buri Group.