Future Leaders
Looking for the Future Leaders!
Global association of the exhibition industry, UFI’ s Next Generation Leadership Programme 2026 calls out to the tomorrow people
s the exhibition industry
A navigates rapid technological, social and generational change, the key question is no longer simply how events evolve, but who will lead that evolution. New audiences, particularly Gen Z and younger Millennials, bring different expectations around purpose, sustainability, digital engagement and value. For organisers, staying relevant means understanding these shifts and empowering the next generation of professionals who will shape the industry’ s response.
This is the thinking behind the UFI Next Generation Leadership( NGL) Programme, which brings together emerging professionals from across the global exhibition community to reflect on the industry’ s future and contribute new perspectives.
Now in its tenth year, the programme has become a recognised talent accelerator in the exhibition industry. More than a development initiative, it offers participants the opportunity to step outside their day-to-day roles, collaborate across borders and take a broader, more strategic view of the sector.
Each year, participants explore a key industry challenge. In 2026, the focus is‘ The Next-Generation Audience’, examining how exhibitions can remain relevant in a world shaped by Gen Z and younger Millennials.
This reflects a wider shift across the sector. Younger audiences engage differently from previous generations. They are accustomed
to always-on digital environments, expect sustainability as a given, and look for experiences that deliver clear value and authenticity. For organisers, understanding these expectations is becoming essential in an increasingly competitive attention economy.
The programme creates space to explore these questions collaboratively, encouraging participants to challenge assumptions and consider how exhibitions can evolve while preserving what makes them unique.
For many, the experience is transformative. Anida D’ Costa, a 2025 participant, described it as“ an opportunity to collaborate with international peers and learn about what is really transforming the industry”. She notes that it helped her develop a more strategic perspective and better understand the changing dynamics shaping the sector.
Working across cultures is also a defining part of the experience. For 2025 participant Ilaria Basile, collaborating with people from different backgrounds and working styles was both challenging and rewarding, ultimately leading to lasting professional connections.
Industry leaders highlight the longer-term impact of initiatives like this. As Hugh Jones, CEO of RX, noted, such programmes help identify and develop future leaders, giving them the networks and perspective to make a greater impact throughout their careers. UFI president Panittha Buri similarly emphasises that the programme prepares future leaders“ in a thoughtful and practical way”, combining exposure, skills development and global connections.
Ultimately, the NGL Programme reflects a broader commitment to nurturing talent and encouraging fresh thinking across the exhibition industry. By giving emerging professionals a voice, it helps ensure the industry continues to evolve with the people who will lead it forward. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 2 2026 21