Exhibition World Issue 3 | Page 9

UFI

Crowning glory for events

n May we witnessed

I the Coronation of King Charles III in the United Kingdom – not only reminding us of the emotional and cultural power of events , but also highlighting the potential for events to bring people together , forge connections and promote a sense of community .

As businesses continue to navigate the post-pandemic world , events are a core platform to promote and drive connections among people of different backgrounds . With this in mind , it ’ s worth considering attending UFI ’ s upcoming European Conference , 14-16 June in Maastricht , which is on track to be the biggest one to date . The conference will offer attendees the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain valuable insights into the future of exhibitions .
The European Conference caps our series of regional conferences around the world this spring , including events in Asia-Pacific , Latin America , and the Middle East / Africa . Each one
Kai Hattendorf UFI managing director / CEO
united leaders from our industry across the respective region and beyond .
After Maastricht , we will focus on the Global Congress in Las Vegas , 1 – 4 November . We are now already closing in on 150 registrations for our biggest , most global event – again showcasing the value our global communities see in meeting face to face .
Events have the power to showcase ideas , products , and services , as well as provide a platform for engagement with clients , customers , and colleagues on a deeper level . They are a great opportunity to build a sense of community and shared experience among attendees . The Coronation of King Charles III served as an example of how events can bring diverse groups of people together around a set of shared values .
We will also carry this message to the world on 7 June , at this year ’ s Global Exhibitions Day . Set up in 2016 , GED is held annually on the first Wednesday of June to drive visibility of the exhibition industry locally , regionally and on a global scale . In recent years , it saw activations and activities from industry players in over 100 countries and regions around the world . This year , the main theme highlights that the exhibitions and events industry “ runs the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone ”. We ’ re shining a light on how integral our work is to the continuation of all businesses and industries . We hope to encourage greater recognition for the influence and effect on the economy that exhibitions hold .
I ask you all to join in again on this day . Indeed , if our industry were to be a kingdom , then our king is content , our queen is the connections we forge , and our court is the show floor .
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