UFI
Defining calendar moments: The Global Congress and the UFI Central & South American Conference
Chris Skeith OBE, CEO, UFI, underlines important member diary dates
here is genuine
T excitement in the air. As we move through the year, the exhibition industry is preparing for two significant gatherings that represent both the strength of our sector and its forward momentum.
The 93rd UFI Global Congress takes place in the Kingdom of Bahrain, 2-5 November. This is our flagship annual event, bringing together hundreds of senior professionals from across the globe to connect, share insights, and explore the trends shaping our industry.
Bahrain offers an active gateway to one of the world’ s fastest-growing exhibition regions. Exhibition World Bahrain, an award-winning venue spanning 309,000sqm, provides the ideal setting for international dialogue. The Kingdom’ s strategic location, world-class hospitality, and strong commitment to trade and exhibitions create the perfect environment for a global gathering of this scale.
The Congress theme,‘ Stronger Connections, Smarter Futures,’ reflects what we have learned in recent years. The exhibition industry has proven its strength not just by withstanding disruption, but by evolving through it. We will explore how organisations are maintaining momentum, making confident decisions, and identifying new opportunities in an increasingly complex environment. Sessions will address resilience, innovation in business models, the integration of technology and AI, and the embedding of sustainability.
Some have asked whether we would proceed with the Congress given the broader geopolitical context. I want to be direct: the UFI Leadership has carefully assessed this decision. We have listened to our hosts, our members, and key stakeholders across the region. The result is clear. The exhibition industry operates with confidence. We are proceeding as planned, as long as it is safe to do so. This reflects the resilience of our industry, the commitment of our members, and our hosts’ unwavering dedication to creating an exceptional experience.
A first time in Brazil In early December, the exhibition industry turns its attention to Latin America. For the first time in UFI history, we are hosting a regional conference in Brazil. The UFI Central and South American Conference takes place 1-3 December in São Paulo, co-located with Experience Expo.
Brazil’ s market power is substantial. The country generates 4.5m net square metres of exhibition space sold annually, with 140,000 exhibiting companies and 11 million visitors. São Paulo is Latin America’ s business capital. For the exhibition industry, it represents genuine opportunity and potential.
An impressive 85 % of conference attendees are decision-makers, meaning genuine business
Above: Chris Skeith conversations happen here. This is a platform where the region’ s exhibition community meets its global peers, where partnerships are forged, and where strategies are shaped.
The event will take place across three of São Paulo ' s leading venues: Frei Caneca Convention Centre, Expo Centre Norte, and District Anhembi. This demonstrates the scale and sophistication of Brazil ' s exhibition infrastructure.
What unites both the Global Congress and the Central and South American Conference is their fundamental purpose: bringing people together. In a world of digital saturation, the power of face-to-face gathering remains unmatched.
The exhibition industry thrives when we invest in these moments. They are core to how our industry functions and evolves. They are where we connect globally and regionally, where we learn from each other, and where we position ourselves for future success.
Mark these dates in your calendar and I look forward to seeing you at one or both of these pivotal industry gatherings. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 4 2026 9