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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 everchanging 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 , app roved by UFI , based upon strict and exacting quality criteria , assuring excellent services for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors .
UFI President : Geoff Dickinson UFI Managing Director / CEO : Kai Hattendorf UFI Head of Global MarComs , Mina El Fazazi
17 rue Louise Michel 92300 Levallois-Perret Fran 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 Update
9-11 UFI : Kai Hattendorf roars in a particularly mighty New Year
INSIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
17 Farewell to the ETT Club As the Exhibition Think Tank Club winds up its work , Sandrine Pittaway thinks about legacy
18-19 Changing face of exhibitions Irina Graff explores event legacy as the key to ROI
30-31 Keeping trendy Catie Owen speaks to three industry powerhouse reps about 2024 ’ s biggest trends
FEATURES
14-15 Stateside with Stephanie A jetsetting January takes Stephanie across the West Coast
Far left , top : Farewell to the ETT Club , page 17
Left :
Asia ’ s expo dragons , pages 22-27
Far left , bottom : Keeping up with the trends , pages 30-31
Left : IEG feeds Asian appetite page 45
22-27 Asia ’ s expo dragons Ahead of UFI ’ s Asia Conference in March , experts predict likely developments for the year in the region
37 How ‘ cultured ’ are you ? Simon Naudi discusses the importance of studying business cultures and local etiquette
45 IEG feeds Asian appetite IEG ’ s appetite expands internationally , having acquired Montgomery Asia
THINK TANK
11 Dealmakers Steve Monnington casts his eye over the M & A landscape
28-29 A distracted economy Mark Taylor tells Catie Owen about London ’ s QEII Centre ’ s report on distracted delegates
34-35 ExpoPlatform The event tech specialist ’ s new study shows increasing confidence in digitally-enhanced live events
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