UFI's Shanghai congress to promote future talent

Shanghai is gearing up for UFI’s 83rd Global Congress, dubbed ‘The Exhibition Industry in Transformation’. UFI’s Global Congress, a gathering of leaders from the exhibition industry, is set to support events professionals from more than 40 countries on 9-12 November in Shanghai. Hosted by the Shanghai Exhibition Industry Association (SCEIA) at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, the four-day event is open to UFI members from around the world. “UFI’s annual Congress is always a hugely valuable event for the global exhibition industry as we tackle the issues that will define our industry’s future. But what’s so outstanding this year is that we can expand sessions and networking opportunities,” said UFI president Sergey Alexeev. “Also, as we want to discuss what will change, we will listen to the next generation’s ideas for our industry, as our Next Generation Leaders Grantees take to the stage.” The congress, entitled ‘Ripples – The Exhibition Industry in Transformation’, comes at a time of uncertainty for many people in the exhibition industry, faced with factors such as digitalisation, political insecurity, and shifting global economic power. Keynote speaker Ayesha Khanna, smart cities and education strategy expert, and founder of the Hybrid Reality Institute, will call on delegates to “ride the waves of change”. “Why is the exhibition industry successful?”, she asks. “Because it delivers on a promise: the promise of a successful marketplace. Buyers trust us to find the right sellers, sellers trust us to bring in the right buyers.” The five young winners of the 2016 UFI Next Generation Leaders Grant – from Germany, India Iran, Qatar and the US – will also take to the stage. They will share their visions of the future of the exhibition industry. https://www.www.c-mw.net/pictures-ufi-open-seminar-basel/