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UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry promotes, represents and serves the interests of the world’ s leading show organisers, fairground owners and operators, major national and inter national associations of the exhibition industry and industry partners. As a non-political and non-profit organisation, UFI’ s main goal is to serve the exhibition industry worldwide and to emphasise its unique marketing characteristics for the development of world trade.
Present on six continents, in 84 countries, UFI is a unique and neutral forum for dialogue dedicated to all professionals involved in the trade fair business. Serving the exhibition industry since 1925, UFI applies its professional experience and renown to providing its members and the industry with the extensive know-how required to meet the challenges of ever-changing needs. Being a member of UFI is a proof of quality and international recognition. Over 4,500 tradefairs and exhibitions are organised by its members. More than 900 of these are international exhibitions, approved by UFI, based upon strict and exacting quality criteria, assuring excellent services for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors.
UFI President: Panittha Buri UFI Managing Director / CEO: Chris Skeith, OBE UFI Head of Marcomms: Pierre Aurelien Vidon
17 rue Louise Michel 92300 Levallois-Perret, France Tel: + 33( 0) 1 4639 7500 Fax: + 33( 0) 1 4639 7501 Email: info @ ufi. org Website: www. ufi. org
UFI Asia / Pacific Regional Office: Suite 4114, Hong Kong Plaza 188 Connaught Road West Hong Kong, S. A. R Tel:( 852) 2525 6129 Email: asia @ ufi. org
UFI Middle East / Africa UFI MEA Office Info Salons Middle East Office Sheikh Zayed Rd City Tower 2, Office 2001A PO Box 58580 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: + 971( 0) 4 331 7180 E-mail: mea @ ufi. org
UFI Latin America Corferias Cra 37 # 24-67 Auditorium Second Floor Bogota, Colombia Tel: + 571 3445486 E-mail: anamaria @ ufi. org
The opinions and views expressed in Exhibition World do not necessarily reflect UFI policy or position.
In this issue:
NEWS & OPINION
5 Editor’ s Note 6-7 Global Snapshot 9 UFI Column:
CEO Chris Skeith
50 Recruitment: A look back on the TfConnect journey with Trevor Foley
FEATURES
16 Why I don’ t tell people I work in events? Theo Reilly talks defining moments with founder of the Gaming Boadroom Kate Chambers
23 Why I said‘ No’ to a speaker who was not bureau-ready: Insights on event speaker selection from Maria Franzoni
26 War with Iran: How the war is affecting events in the Gulf and beyond
28 Stateside with Stephanie: Our US correpondent kicks some tyres at CONEXPO-CON / AGG in Vegas
INSIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
11 Strong start for M & A in 2026: GMA’ s Jon McGovern looks at the key sectors best represented in M & A deals so far this year
12 R. E. Rogers at 40: We meet the Indian force of events logistics nature, Ravinder Sethi, who look back on 40 years of expert service
20 Olympia rising: We hear from the landmark London event complex’ s CEO about a new strategy for a renovated venue 38 Map Your Show: Event tech
THINK TANK
company CEO shares insights on his latest products
15 Flexiblity & resilience: SISO CEO Vinnie Polito reflects some of the Summit debate with the industry’ s leaders
34 Why size alone is no longer enough: An exclusive deep dive with jwc on rethinking exhibition market rankings
Far left, top: R. E. Rogers celebrating its 40th, p12 Left: The RAI’ s geocloning strategy, p42
Far left, bottom: International Confex in pictures, p47
Left: Insights from the Saudi front, p48
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