The hard work starts now
FI ’ s European conference took place in
U person for the first time since 2019 , from 4-6 May , and what a delight it was to share human connections once more in the quite delightful Polish city of Poznan . While the week after , its Latin America event also returned ( and you can read a review of it online at www . exhibitionworld . co . uk ).
However , while the industry has broadly stepped out from under the Covid pandemic ’ s spectre , its legacy has created new challenges for the world ’ s exhibition organisers to overcome .
While in Poznan , EW caught up with Klaus Dittrich , CEO and chairman of Messe Munich ( p12 ), who explains how Germany ’ s market is responding to the recent lifting of final Covid-19 restrictions , and outlines the challenges the sector must face together .
On p14 , Stephanie Selesnick reviews UFI ’ s European conference , while her regular ‘ Stateside with Stephanie ’ column returns on p22 . We also get up close and personal with the six winners of Next Generation Leaders ( NGL ) grant winners on p16 .
For this month ’ s Big Interview , Paul Colston meets Jimé Essink ( p18 ), who , after the merger of UBM with Informa in 2018 , became president of the combined
business . Since retiring from Informa at the end of 2019 , he has now become a founder and CEO of a new online platform for the industry . Do give it a read .
There is research analysis to be found courtesy of Glenn Hanson on p25 , while we take a snapshot of Middle East Film and Comic Con at its new home at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre ( p30 ).
The word from Poznan was one of cautious optimism , insofar that appetite for live shows appears strong , but with the challenges surrounding acquisition and retention of talent and spiralling inflation , the exhibitions industry will once more have to demonstrate the resilience it has become so accustomed to . The hard work starts now .
Martin Fullard Editorial director Exhibition World Twitter : @ ExhibitionWorld Instagram : @ ew _ magazine
Editorial Director : Martin Fullard ; Managing Editor : Paul Colston ; Global Account Director : Iain Stirling ; International Director : Mercedes Alonso ; International Marketing Executive : Catie Owen ;
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www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 3 2022 5