UFI’s 2025. MEA Conference in Cairo, Egypt, gathered 160 delegates from 26 countries making it the largest edition to date.
The conference, which ran 28-30 April and hosted by the EECA (Egyptian Expo & Convention Authority) at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, offered an international line-up of speakers who explored the new opportunities in the thriving MEA market.
Essam Ahmed Elnaggar, minister plenipotentiary, commercial – chairman of Egypt Expo & Convention Authority, thanked all who contributed to the success of the UFI Middle East & Africa (MEA) Conference 2025, saying: “It is through such partnerships that we will fulfill our shared vision of advancing the exhibitions sector, grounded in best practices, cutting-edge technologies, and international standards of excellence. UFI MEA 2025 in Cairo not only provided valuable insights and global perspectives, but also showcased Egypt’s evolving role as a prime destination for world-class exhibitions and conventions, while emphasising the critical role of regional co-operation in shaping the future of exhibitions across the MEA region.”
Naji El Haddad, UFI MEA regional director, added: “Egypt stands out as a key market for the business events industry, backed by its strategic location, strong economic outlook, growing infrastructure, and increasing investments in tourism and venue development, offering exciting opportunities for future growth.”
The conference programme topics ranged from economic trends and tariffs, artificial intelligence, strategies for growth, and sustainability, and speakers took a close look at regional dynamics and global industry shifts.
The conference was also an opportunity for the UFI MEA Chapter to reconvene in person to share regional updates, exchange insights, and align on future initiatives for the region.
All sessions will be made available to UFI members and conference participants as ondemand videos in the coming days.
As part of UFI’s 100-year anniversary celebrations, the conference also paid tribute to nine long-standing members from the region who’s decades of dedication spanned between 27 and 96 years of membership. Each was presented with a personalised UFI MEA Legacy Trophy, honouring their commitment and contributions to the association. Recipients included Art Line (Egypt), IFP Group (Lebanon), Montgomery Group (South Africa), Riyadh Exhibitions Company (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait International Fair Co. (Kuwait), State Company for Iraqi Fairs & Commercial Services (Iraq), SAFEX (Algeria), Tripoli International Fair (Libya), and Tanzania Trade Development Authority (Tanzania).
Beyond the conference sessions, delegates experienced Cairo’s rich history and vibrant culture through post-conference tours and networking dinners. Delegates enjoyed a cruise along the Nile River, tours of the historic Pyramids of Giza, and a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
UFI’s next major events is European Events Week, which will take place 3-7 June in Thessaloniki, Greece. The 92nd UFI Global Congress will take place in Hong Kong SAR, 19-22 November.
For more information about UFI’s upcoming events, visit: www.ufi.org/our-events.
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