UFI
Partners producing new solutions for the exhibition environment
We focus on the recent award-winning UFI Industry Partners 2024 and hear their stories of innovative success
U
FI , the global association of the exhibition industry , recently announced Fiera Milano as the winner of its 2024 Industry Partners Award . It is an award that recognises the best initiatives demonstrating collaboration and synergy among the association ’ s industry partners , leading to successful exhibitions .
The 2024 Award focused on ‘ Synergy in Action : Honouring Collaborative Excellence ’. Fiera Milano , in partnership with exhibition product recycling experts Montecolino , won with their joint research and development approach in green stand design .
Sebastian Witt , chair of the UFI Industry Partners Working Group and jury , said : “ The Group commits to driving partnership and fostering innovation across the exhibition industry . We had a record number of entries this year which showcase the entire spectrum of our industry working together . Congratulations to Fiera Milano and their partner Montecolino for winning the 2024 Award . They demonstrated effective and positive stakeholder engagement across our diverse industry ecosystem to drive greater collaboration and excellence of exhibitions .”
Francesco Conci , chief executive officer at Fiera Milano , said the recogntion “ demonstrated how joint efforts in R & D can lead to innovative solutions that significantly reduce the environmental impact of exhibitions while enhancing exhibition success . Winning the Industry Partners Award not only reinforces our corporate purpose of ‘ becoming the best partner for growth ’, but also inspires us to continue pioneering services that promote circular economy principles within the industry ”.
The other finalist , ADITUS ( Germany ), and its partners were also commended for their strong submission , ‘ Building Digital Bridges for Trade Shows : The ADITUS x LinkedIn Community Builder v2.0 ’. Additionally , the UFI jury acknowledged several entries as best practices : Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre ( Malaysia ), Kuehne + Nagel ( Germany ), Taiwan International Trade Administration TITA ( Taiwan ), and VM Consulting & Busan Technology Park ( South Korea ).
Winning partners Let ’ s take a closer look at the winning partnership : Fiera Milano is an Italian market leader in the exhibition and congress industry , managing over 400,000sqm of space , welcoming approximately four million visitors annually , and generating € 280m in revenue in 2023 . With a portfolio of more than 80 exhibitions organised and hosted in Italy , approximately 30 abroad ( China , Brazil , South Africa , and Singapore ), and over 160 congresses ,
Fiera Milano operates the sixth largest trade venue worldwide .
Services provided include , among others , construction set-ups ( Nolostand ), logistics , catering , and digital solutions .
A KPMG social impact assessment revealed that in a pre-pandemic year , Fiera Milano generated direct , indirect , and induced impacts valued at € 8.1bn , including € 4.3bn in Lombardy , accounting for 1.1 % of the Milan metropolitan area ’ s GDP . Montecolino is a long lasting and high-standing stakeholder of Fiera Milano . A European top-tier producer of flooring and textile coverings , Montecolino specialises in innovative recycling methods , particularly in repurposing carpets used in Fiera Milano ’ s exhibitions .
Clear benchmarking The UFI project facilitated greater collaboration with Fiera Milano and engaged the wider ecosystem .
Leveraging on Fiera Milano ’ s expertise through Nolostand and the innovative spirit of Montecolino , R & D efforts have been united to revolutionise the standfittings offering with a focus on sustainability . Furniture can now be crafted from recycled carpets used during exhibitions , and sustainable , customised stand-fittings with certified CO2 emission reduction measurements provided .
This initiative represents a groundbreaking and sustainable proposal within the stand-fitting sector , resulting from a robust partnership between a venue manager and a key stakeholder , focused on minimising the environmental impact of standfittings .
The project ’ s scope is significant , as Montecolino , one of Fiera Milano ’ s top five partners , is involved in all phases of the exhibition value chain . The project ’ s tangible impact is evident , with measurable
20 Issue 4 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk