UFI
UFI steps up regional service with new North America chapter
few weeks have
A passed and we are now working on the takeaways and learnings from this year ’ s UFI Global Congress in Las Vegas . From the initial feedback of the global UFI community , it was one for the history books . With around 500 colleagues , it became one of the biggest Congresses in UFI ’ s history . With 65 speakers , we had more voices on the stages than ever before . With the launch of the North America Chapter , it leaves a very special legacy from the first time the UFI Global Congress took place in the United States .
Let me expand here a little about the role and function of UFI ’ s regional chapters . As our industry ’ s global association , UFI never runs national offices or national chapters . UFI does not compete with national exhibition industry associations , it collaborates with them and supports them . We always say we are every business ’ s other industry association . For every business , the first association membership should
Kai Hattendorf
Kai Hattendorf , UFI managing director / CEO
always be with an association in its own country . Here is where they are based . When they step outside of this home market , when they want to connect to the exhibition community in other markets and regions around the world – then UFI is there for them , as their second association .
UFI runs chapters in global regions where we have a relevant share of members of at least 5 % of our global membership . As we have seen our membership numbers rise constantly across North America , this region now represents a vital , and growing , share of UFI membership . Right now ,
“ For every business , the first association membership should always be with an association in its own country .”
7 % of all UFI members are from North America , and more than 25 % of our members have subsidiaries or relevant business there , even if their headquarters are based elsewhere . Through the chapter and their chapter leaderships , we make sure that the voices and needs from the respective region are well represented in UFI ’ s governing bodies – like the Executive Committee and the Board . And we can make sure to serve our members and the industry in the region better through the chapter structure and its corresponding regional office .
With the new North America chapter , we now serve five regions globally with our chapter structure : Asia-Pacific , Central & South America , Europe , Middle East & Africa , and North America . Every chapter selects a leadership , and the respective Chapter chair represents the region in UFI ’ s governing bodies .
In a similar way , exhibition industry associations are organised in UFI : More than 65 national and international exhibition end events industry associations are UFI members , and two more joined us last month in Vegas . They are members of the dedicated Associations Committee , which also elects a leadership that represents them in the UFI governing bodies . As the global association for our industry , in almost 90 countries , we connect people , ideas , and projects across markets . All members are looking to engage , and grow in new markets – through insights , and partnerships . Through the North America chapter , we will be able to make better connections for UFI members from the region . And we can better assist and support members from other parts of the world in finding contacts and business partners in North America .
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 6 2023 9