UFI Column
UFI set to mark string of anniversaries in Hong Kong in November
UFI CEO and managing director Chris Skeith, OBE, tells EW about plans for the 92nd Global Congress in Hong Kong and the region’ s trends and potential
EW: How have you and the UFI team been preparing for the annual congress in Hong Kong this year and what can we expect to see on the agenda? This year’ s Congress is truly special as we celebrate UFI’ s 100th anniversary. It also marks 25 years since the Global Congress was last held in Hong Kong, alongside the 20th anniversary of our host, AsiaWorld-Expo. With so many milestones, we have plenty to celebrate. Our teams in Hong Kong and Paris, together with AsiaWorld-Expo, have been working closely to craft an exceptional line-up of speakers and experiences, including a 1920s-themed Welcome Reception paying tribute to UFI’ s founding in 1925.
I’ m particularly looking forward to hearing from our Keynote Speaker, Dex Hunter-Torricke, a renowned Silicon Valley strategist and advisor who has worked at the intersection of technology and global power for nearly two decades. Dex has held senior roles at some of the world’ s most influential organisations, including SpaceX, Facebook and Google as the
Chris Skeith
first executive speechwriter for former CEO Eric Schmidt. He’ ll share his unique insights into AI, technology, and global change, which we’ ll be able to apply within our own organisations to help shape the future of our industry and beyond.
Beyond the keynote, the Congress programme promises fresh content, innovative formats, and more time to connect. Making its debut at this year’ s event is‘ Bate-Papo’. Inspired by the Portuguese term for‘ chat’, this interactive format, first introduced at UFI’ s European Conference, creates space for small-group discussions in an informal setting at the heart of the networking area. Attendees can shape the dialogue themselves, enabling candid, participatory exchanges. The team has also challenged itself by seeking new views and insights, and the current speaker line up does not include anyone who has spoken at an UFI Global Congress before.
The team has also been active in promoting the Congress to our members across Asia, and especially in China. We already have delegates from over 40 countries registered, so we are expecting a strong turnout in terms of overall numbers from a wide range of countries and regions.
How do you see both the local international trade fair market in Hong Kong and any trends in the wider region? Hong Kong has always punched above its weight in terms of its exhibition market. With just two venues, approximately one million net square metres are sold in Hong Kong each year. The B2B events held in Hong Kong each year are seen as a source of high-quality exhibitors and visitors, not only from China but across the region. That role is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Across the region, new and exciting opportunities are emerging. India’ s rise is driving trade in the region, as is the strength of the economies in Southeast Asia. Of course, China’ s economy has slowed, but it is still expected to grow by more than 4 % in 2025 and 2026. In addition, although there are trade tensions between China and the US, this is driving growth in intra-Asia trade, which creates opportunities for our members.
It really is a dynamic region and seems to be moving ahead strongly. It certainly is a region well represented in UFI. Do you see that trend continuing? Absolutely. Asia has been the growth engine of the global economy for years now, and UFI is focused on helping our members to make the most of that trend. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 5 2025 9