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 : Anbu Varathan 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 UFI : Working together to get it done
INSIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
12-13
FEATURES & RESEARCH
15-17
21
STATESIDE WITH STEPHANIE Stephanie Selesnick looks at digital marketplaces
MIDDLE EASTERN REBOUND Paul Colston finds out how the middle east is coming back in the lead up to the UFI MEA Conference
A GIANT HEALTHY LEAP EW meets serial entrepreneur and business visionary Barry Shrier , organiser of European Health-Tech Innovation Week
31
44-45
THINK TANK
10
19
47
Top left , 12 New Resort in Vegas opens in June
Top right , 22-25 Żaneta Berus identifies concerns and successes of career women in eastern Europe
Bottom left , 26-27 World Trade Center Association at 50 + providing platforms for trade
Bottom right , 32 Grip CEO Tim Groot provides some virtual tips
TRADE SHOWS 2.0 Hubilo ’ s CEO on how we can revive the art of networking
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION Stuart Wood looks at UFI ’ s new Certified Professional training , and the future of HR in events
DEALMAKERS Steve Monnington answers the question : is M & A getting back to normal ?
THE ETT-CLUB AT ONE Matthias ‘ Tesi ’ Baur reflects on a year of the Exhibition Think Tank
DATA SMARTS IN EVENTS Trevor Foley and Mark Parsons examine the changing skillsets required to be effective in the new era www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 3 2021 3