UFI
The association reading of the industry barometer , both short and medium-term
T here is a lot happening in our industry that deserves to be shared and discussed at any time . But right now , the number of issues and topics we are addressing and dealing with as an industry is well above average . So , let me address the need to balance priorities today , and what UFI is doing to support you on this .
Our latest UFI Global Barometer ( https :// www . ufi . org / archive-research / the-global-exhibition-barometerjuly-2023 /) spells it out : Today ’ s most relevant issues globally are internal management challenges ( mainly around staffing and changing business models ), the impact of digitisation ( mostly driven by customer needs ), competition with other media ( especially digital ), and the economy at home and globally . In addition , sustainability continues to rise through the ranks .
But we also need to look beyond the short-term challenges to identify the mid-term trends and transformations we are dealing with . Again , we have used the UFI Global
Kai Hattendorf
Kai Hattendorf , UFI managing director / CEO
Barometer to identify the topics that will drive our agenda in the next three to five years . These are , in the order of priority : Changing customer expectations , Staffing , Digitisation , Climate-related regulations , ( De ) Globalisation , and DEI-related regulations .
It is worth looking at the differences in short and mid-term priorities , especially as we prioritise going forward . Right now , I am spending a lot of time discussing these with some of the speakers and participants of our upcoming UFI Global Congress in Las Vegas . What do we need to do today to keep up with the recovery of our shows and businesses , which are still short-staffed in most instances ? Which contingencies do we need in view of the current inflation rates and sluggish economic growth , or even recessions , in markets ? At the same time – how do we build digital capabilities to stay abreast of the changing exhibitor expectations ? And how do we reduce our carbon footprints quarter by quarter , show by show , raising the bar on tackling climate change ?
“ Associations can help you to focus on the most important issues of the day , while providing input that moves us all forward on mid-term issues ”
That ’ s a lot to deal with and , as your global association , we ’ re here to provide support and insights , especially on the issues where we as an industry are all facing the same challenge – which tend to be the midto long-term issues .
Let me share two examples : Talent acquisition and retention , and decarbonisation . Both are as urgent as they are important , and UFI has set up projects and structures to support them . On the talent side , our NGL Class of 2022 presented a new , compelling industry narrative we can all use when we advertise what a great place to work we are ( https :// www . ufi . org / news-media / ufi-connects / ufi-connects-revisited-anew-talent-narrative-next-generationleaders /). Building on that , a special task force has written a UFI White Paper on talent challenges ( https :// www . ufi . org / archive-research / attracting-community-builders / ), full of useful guidance and suggestions for everyone ’ s employee value propositions .
And on decarbonisation – the success of the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative ( https :// www . netzerocarbonevents . org ) continues to exceed expectations . With more than 600 businesses as supporters and / or signatories to the pledge , the initiative is producing guidance and best practice examples for successful industry decarbonisation and – at the same time – is acting and liaising for our sector on the implementation with UN bodies for everyone ’ s benefit .
To me , these are examples of what associations can do – help you to focus on the most important issues of the day while providing input that moves you ( and all of us ) forward on mid-term issues .
As you might ( and will ) expect , we will address all of the above issues on and off stage at this year ’ s Global Congress – we will be in the USA for the first time , in Las Vegas , 1 – 4 November . Join us !
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 5 2023 9