Exhibition World Issue 1 – 2019 | Page 11

News private jet flights landed near Davos during the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps in January Event Industry Council searches for CEO The CEO of the Events Industry Council (EIC), Karen Kotowski, has resigned her post, the association has announced. She has led the 30-plus member EIC for 10 years. Chair of the EIC’s Board of Directors, Applications open for UFI NGL grant and regional conferences Tina Wehmeir (pictured), said a search Applications are open for global trade for a new CEO has begun: “We plan fair association UFI’s Next Generation to identify a new CEO who brings a Leadership (NGL) grant. global perspective and background to The grant promotes next generation help in further broadening the reach leadership in the exhibition industry, of our organisations and certification rewarding professionals who show programme.” clear initiatives in driving change and The Board has said it will focus on building upon the recent rebranding, innovation in their area of activity. Now in its fourth year, the programme and look to extend the Certified Meeting is spread over 18 months (starting May Professional (CMP) programme globally. 2019), allowing participants to continue A search committee of seven to fulfil daily work obligations. The grant industry leaders, headed by IMEX will be awarded to up to five industry Group CEO Carina Bauer, has been professionals in 2019 and the application formed to find and evaluate candidates process is open until 1 March 2019. The NGL Grant offers mentoring to the post. to support career ambitions, and an opportunity to present ideas on the main GL Events joins the €1 bn club stage at the UFI Global Congress. UFI also has tailored programmes for three regional conferences over the next three months: - in Tokyo (Japan), 14-15 March - in Dubai (UAE), 8-9 April - in Birmingham (UK), 15-17 May. See UFI website for details for registration. Freeman and PSAV to acquire Encore The Freeman Company and PSAV have announced that they have entered into a purchase agreement for PSAV to acquire Encore Event Technologies. Encore is a global provider of event Global integrated event industry adverse exchange rate effect of as a publicly traded company technology, staging and production group GL Events has announced €34m, offset by contributions by exceeding the €1bn revenue services. The transaction is expected to 2018 consolidated revenues from new acquisitions. milestone. close later this year, the terms of which topping €1bn. International markets accounted The €1.041bn total figure represented a rise of 9% like-for- for 50% of annual revenue. Olivier Ginon, GL events’ “Reinforced by the capital increase completed in October will not be disclosed. Encore operates as both an in-house of last year, this double partner to some of the world’s leading like, following completion of the Chairman, commented: “In 2018, anniversary was accompanied resorts, hotels and casinos, as well as group’s ZZX acquisition in China. GL events marked the group’s by major growth projects in Asia providing creative production company 40th anniversary and 20th year and particularly in China.” for clients around the world. Photo credit: Aniseed Photo The company reported an w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk Issue 1 2019 11