Together Again
UFI reconnects the global exhibition industry face-to-face in Rotterdam
U
FI ’ s 88th Global Congress in Rotterdam , 3-6 November 2021 , marked the return to face-to-face meetings for the association . The Congress drew 350 participants from 40 countries and regions .
The main theme of the Congress , held at the Rotterdam Ahoy and cohosted by Rotterdam Partners , was ‘ Together Again ’.
With keynote speakers from inside and outside the sector , the Congress looked at the future of the industry in the post-Covid world . Alongside networking opportunities , attendees had the chance to celebrate the recovery of the sector , exchange lessons learned , and gain new insights and ideas .
Kai Hattendorf , managing director and CEO at UFI , said : “ Rarely in recent years has a Congress theme matched the sense and spirit of an UFI event this well as Together Again did . We indeed came together again , discussed together again , laughed together again . We shared experiences , learnings and strategies . We mourned the colleagues we lost to the pandemic , and we celebrated those who showed leadership and innovation , winning the UFI Awards .” creatures of togetherness , our will to connect is in our DNA and physical interactions are qualitatively superior to virtual ones .”
Closing keynote speaker , Prince Constantijn Van Oranje noted : “ There is a lot of opportunity that requires to rethink old ways .”
New UFI research Delegates were updated on new UFI research findings . The Global Recovery Insights 2021 report , produced with UFI research partner Explori , focused on five key themes which build on the findings of previous Global Insights studies . The latest data reflects optimism in the industry as demand has recovered for live events from both exhibitors and visitors .
Building on discussions around the evolution of digital event platforms and their providers at UFI events in recent months , a White Paper on Data Ownership was discussed , the result of a cross-industry collaboration sharing the organiser ’ s perspective on data ownership .
Net Zero Carbon Events initiative Sustainability took centre stage , too , with Congress sessions connecting participants with the Global Climate Summit COP26 . Delegates learned about the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge – a joint events industry initiative , backed by UFI , and hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council with the support of the United Nations ’ UNFCCC . UFI announced it had signed up to the pledge itself .
Special moments The Congress included many networking opportunities and special moments , among them the president ’ s reception and the Congress Dinner on the ocean steamer SS Rotterdam .
New president Monica Lee-Müller , MD of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre ( Management ) Limited ( HML ), formally assumed office as the UFI president for the year to come . She said : “ I am humble , but I am also proud of being the first Asian woman in this role . And I am looking forward immensely to new opportunities to serve the industry I love dearly .”
UFI also placed on record its thanks to Mary Larkin ( UFI president 2019 / 2020 ), and Anbu Varathan ( president 2020 / 21 ) for serving the association and the industry . The association also welcomed Michael Duck as incoming president .
In 2022 , the UFI Global Congress will be hosted in Muscat , Oman , while Las Vegas , USA , has been selected as the 2023 Congress host .
To recovery – and beyond There were 60 speakers on stage and delegates joined the discussion on possible paths forward as well as the more immediate needs , challenges and opportunities the industry faces as the world reopens . These were identified as strategy , sustainability , work force challenges and opportunities , and data ownership .
Keynote speaker and economist Noreena Hertz stated : “ We are
Right : Opinions Ahoy ! The Congress provided many opportunities for delegates to get their point across
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