UFI’s CEO steps down after decade-long tenure

It’s the end of an era in exhibitions as Kai Hattendorf announced his departure as UFI’s CEO after 10 years.  

Kai assumed the role of chief executive for the association in 2015 and is set to conclude his tenure at the end of 2024. Read below for more details.

Here are the top headlines for your weekly event news updates:

• End of an era: UFI CEO bids adieu after 10 years
• IAEE and TSNN join forces for multi-year partnership
• IEG completes 100% acquisition of exhibition stand designer 
• HKCEC hosts 7.3 million attendees across 823 events in FY23/24
• AEV launches new framework to endorse event management degrees

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Read on for your full Week in Events roundup ⤵️

End of an era: UFI CEO bids adieu after 10 years

UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf will bid farewell to the group after a decade-long tenure.

Kai has been heading up the global association of exhibition organizers since 2015, but has now announced he will leave at the end of this year.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announces that Kai Hattendorf will leave UFI at the end of 2024, having been the CEO since 2015.

🔗 Read the media release: https://t.co/l2C1Sp2x05

📽️ Watch Kai's video: https://t.co/0F2bECoNRK pic.twitter.com/Gu9Yi9OMne

— UFI (@UFILive) August 27, 2024

Kai said: “I joined UFI in 2015, and these past ten years as the association’s CEO have been an amazing journey, serving the global exhibitions and business events industry.

“A role like this is a stewardship for every person in office, and part of that stewardship is to find the right time to pass on the baton to a new leader.

“I could think of no better time to do this than the coming months, and as part of UFI’s centennial where we recognize the achievement of the past while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.”

UFI president Geoff Dickinson added: “UFI has an extremely strong team in place in Paris and the offices around the world, thanks to the amazing work Kai is doing, together with our COO Adeline Vancauwelaert in recent years.

“On behalf of the UFI leadership, I cannot highlight enough how Kai’s tireless work over the past ten years has driven UFI’s growth and development through good times as well as the pandemic – the worst crisis we all had to face in our lifetime.

“Kai’s commitment to our industry is unparalleled, and we will make sure to see him off in style towards the end of the year.”

IAEE and TSNN join forces for multi-year partnership

A leading industry association has have announced a multi-year partnership with a media company to influence and shape the next era in exhibitions.

🌟 Exciting News! #IAEE & #TSNN Forge Multi-Year Partnership! 🚀 Stay tuned as we celebrate industry excellence at the co-located awards programs during #ExpoExpo in LA on 16 December! https://t.co/w1aKegpNP4#breakingnews #theshowforshows #theplacetobe #exhibitionsmeansbusiness pic.twitter.com/a3UmPdTPVY

— IAEE Headquarters (@IAEE_HQ) August 28, 2024

International Association of Exhibitions (IAEE) and Events and Trade Show News Network (TSNN) will now co-locate and present their prestigious awards programs together for the first time.

The event will take place on December 16 at The Novo in Los Angeles, coinciding with IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition Expo! Expo!

IAEE president and CEO Marsha Flanagan said: “IAEE is pleased to partner with TSNN in this initiative that will benefit all members of our industry.

“Not only is collaboration among IAEE’s core values, but it capitalizes on organizations’ greatest strengths in ways that allow us to collectively advance our industry more efficiently.

“Undoubtedly, this results in a win-win for all. And what better way of launching this program than at a shared awards ceremony where we celebrate the achievements of those we serve?

“It is a wonderful expression of the mutual respect we hold for our industry, and our appreciation for the professionals who strive every day to make it better.”

This strategic alliance will leverage the combined reach and expertise of IAEE, which represents over 20,000 exhibitions worldwide with TSNN’s media expertise.

Informa Connect VP of group content Danica Tormohlen added: “This collaboration showcases the best of what TSNN and IAEE have to offer—innovation, influence, and an unwavering commitment to driving the industry forward.

“We can’t wait to debut a reimagined, star-studded awards program together with IAEE at one of the hottest venues in the world in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

“Imagine a red carpet full of the industry’s leaders and rising stars, all gathering to celebrate excellence in the heart of L.A.’s entertainment district.”

IEG completes 100% acquisition of exhibition stand designer 

Italian Exhibition Group has completed its acquisition of a leading US exhibition stand designer and fitter.

The move comes as IEG USA exercises its full purchase option of FB International, following its initial 51% stake acquisition in 2018.

It marks a significant expansion of IEG’s presence in the US exhibition market, solidifying its position in the global events industry.

Highlights:

• IEG acquired the remaining 49% stake in FB International, gaining full control of the company.
• New leadership appointments have been made:
  👉Tommaso Cancellara assumes the role of president & CEO
  👉 Carlo Costa – also CCO of the IEG Group – will be chairman of the board of directors.

Tommaso said: “In 2023, FB International was involved in 130 events and its turnover amounted to 27 million dollars, acting as general contractor or appointed contractor.”

FB International was established in 1988 and has been a prominent events stand contractor across the United States.

The company’s strategic locations include its headquarters in New Jersey and its operational hub in Las Vegas.

Carlo added: “The locations of its offices allow FB International to accompany its 400 clients from all over the world at their trade show and event appearances throughout the US.”

These locations also enable the stand designers to cover major US trade show venues, particularly in New York and Las Vegas.

HKCEC hosts 7.3m attendees across 823 events in 12 months

 The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted more than 7.3m attendees across 823 events over a year.

The events – across financial year 2023/24 – included 122 exhibitions, 81 international and local conferences and numerous corporate meetings, banquets and entertainment functions.

A wide variety of sectors were covered such as innovation and technology, fintech, Web3, sustainability, art, food and beverage, tourism and medical sciences.

HKCEC managing director Monica Lee-Müller said: “We are encouraged to see these results, and to note that the number of events which have returned to the HKCEC is now over 80% of the number pre-Covid (FY2018/19), on a par with our expectations.

“Indeed, 100% of recurrent trade exhibitions have now returned to our venue.

“I’m proud that the efficiency and professionalism of our operation workforce, combined with our strenuous business development efforts, have enabled us to secure several new exhibitions as well as retaining many long-established ones.

“These results reflect that Hong Kong’s unique advantages for hosting international events remain, and reaffirm the HKCEC’s position as an ideal choice for exhibition and event organisers looking for a world-class venue, professional services and comprehensive solutions.”

Fourteen new exhibitions and 20 new conferences debuted at the HKCEC during this period, including Hong Kong Cat Expo 2023, the Asian Sporting and Outdoor Products Show, Hong Kong Holiday & Travel Expo 2024, Greentech Summit 2024, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration Congress 2024 and the Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) Congress 2024.

The HKCEC is scheduled to host several new events in FY24/25 – including Consensus 2025 in February 2025 and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting in June 2025.

AEV launches new framework to endorse event management degrees

The Association of Event Venues has unveiled a new academic endorsement framework for event management degrees.

This new framework represents a significant step in standardizing and recognizing quality event management education in the UK.

The initiative has been developed over nearly two years by the AEV academic working group and focuses on four key attributes:

 ⭐ Technical skills

 ⭐ Professional attributes

 ⭐ Core values

 ⭐ Events and venues expertise

Alden Arnold, head of projects and commercial at AEV, said: “We are excited to share the endorsement framework, it is a positive step for the future workforce of the events industry and its employers.

“Students will know that any university carrying the AEV endorsed logo has worked directly with the industry to ensure they finish their studies with the requisite tuition, readying them for suitable post graduate employment in the events industry, in turn employers will know graduates from those universities have the necessary skills and knowledge.”

The AEV’s academic associate membership now includes eight universities:

• University of Greenwich (founding partner)
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of East London
• Leeds Beckett University
• University of West London
• Birmingham City University
• University College Birmingham
• Coventry University

Endorsement opportunities will be available to all AEV academic associate members.

The University of Greenwich became the first institution to receive endorsement for its MA International Events Management degree programme, having applied in June 2024.

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