FI ’ s new president

Monica Lee-Müller is proud of the way in which the industry has pulled together with its recent response to the climate challenge . “ I think this is the biggest ever collaboration that we have had in the sector of international events ,” she told Exhibition World , speaking from her Hong Kong conference room . “ The fact that we got a stage at the COP26 in Glasgow speaks for itself . It ’ s really a great story of collaboration and leadership ,” she added .

This also applies to the industry ’ s response to the pandemic , she believes . “ The biggest role that UFI has played in the last few years is advocacy ,” she said . Together with other associations such as ICCA , AIPC , and SISO , Lee-Müller notes , “ we have done a lot of lobbying in different countries and regions to governments to tell them the importance of resuming international exhibitions and opening up different markets ”. As the omicron wave of the pandemic sweeps around the world , she realises this is no time to let up on that . “ That work will continue ,” she stressed .

Lee-Müller has already made it clear that her leadership majors on communication and collaboration . As a leader in her ‘ day job ’ role as managing director of the iconic Hong Kong and Exhibition Centre , she said that being open has been critical in supporting her team through a very tough period . “ Communication is the key during this challenging time . You don ’ t want people to be confused or

be depressed or to give up on our industry ,” she said . “ So , to continue injecting positive energy is really important ”.

As for so many running large venues in the past couple of years , Lee-Müller commented that seeing the building she manages without people and business had been tough . “ You know , walking into this wonderful building and feeling the emptiness is the most difficult thing ,” she admitted . “ But it is what it is being the managing director of this building and I have to continue ”. As all who know her would expect , she is positive about the final outcome . “ I am confident that we will overcome eventually ,” she said although , with a classic Hong Konger ’ s urgency to see to results , she added : “ It is taking far too long ”.

As only UFI ’ s second female president and , as she pointed out at the association ’ s annual Global Congress in Rotterdam , the first Asian woman to lead the organisation , Lee-Müller is also eager to see more progress on diversity and broader representation at the most senior levels in the industry . “ There are a lot of senior women in our industry ,” she said . At UFI , she added , “ we see a lot of female leaders . We have 20 % female members in our board ”. This was , she felt , “ good ” but pointedly asked , “ is it good enough ?” Obviously not , as she is determined that she ’ ll “ continue to work on it ”.

Working on it will involve a multifaceted approach . Firstly , Lee-Müller will be keen to encourage more women to participate . But she ’ s also looking to the men leading the

“ Walking into this wonderful building and feeling the emptiness is the most difficult thing ”

industry to support female leaders with coaching and encouragement . She acknowledged the role played by her mentor and predecessor as HKCEC managing director and UFI president Cliff Wallace . She attributed his “ recognition and encouragement , and guidance ” to the development of a level of confidence that she could take on the roles she now has .

Hong Kong challenges Despite the challenges of the past two years , Lee-Müller was also confident of Hong Kong ’ s future as an events destination . In the short term , however , there have been major challenges . She once again places a lot of emphasis on industry collaboration . “ We have come together using the power of the association , the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association , HKECIA ”, she said .

She was keen to emphasise that efforts in the lobbying that the association has done are not limited to her interests as a venue manager . “ We lobby pretty hard with our