Chris Skeith OBE, CEO and managing director of the global association for the exhibition industry, UFI, reflects on the first half-year in his UFI leadership role and on the key moments and challenges.
It’s been an incredible and at times daunting experience stepping into this role. I’m truly grateful for the warm welcome and support from the whole UFI team. UFI was already strong, and together we’re driving new ideas to enhance member value and industry impact.
The people are always the highlight – whether at the UFI HQ or at our events and especially this year as we honour the past, celebrate the present and shape the future during UFI’s centenary. The biggest challenge has been time – I’d like to see every member, attend every event, so choosing how to spend it wisely hasn’t been easy.
EW: We live in extraordinarily volatile times. How can UFI support its members looking for guidance in these market conditions, with the effects of tariffs and wars to contend with?
CS: Uncertainty is never good for business, but changes in trade flows will ultimately create new opportunities for exhibition organisers as trade will decrease between some countries and increase between others. That will create new opportunities for entrepreneurial event organisers.
We aim to keep our community updated through our various UFI platforms.
From a research standpoint, our Global Exhibition Barometer offers twice-yearly insights into business confidence and market trends worldwide, while our Global Economic Impact study helps members advocate for the industry’s value by providing clear, timely data to navigate uncertainty.
EW: What are the key initiatives UFI is trying to support this year?
Like the rest of the exhibition industry, UFI has long embraced technology to enhance member experiences and engagement.
At UFI, we have been pilot-testing AI since early 2024 and are one of the early adopters of Gevme’s Snapsight and Memento Photo AI at our events. More recently, we introduced ‘Askufi’, an AI chatbot on our events websites.
A refreshed website is also in the works to better represent the industry and improve member experience.
On sustainability, we have been running our Sustainable Development Working Group since 2008, and it remains one of our largest communities. With new regulations and legislation emerging over the next year, we will support members by providing updated research, data, and guidance to help them navigate evolving reporting requirements.
The Better Stands by Net Zero Carbon Events initiative will be launched at the UFI European Events week in Thessaloniki in June.
EW: What do you expect to be top of mind nearer the end of the year when UFI gathers for its annual Global Congress in Hong Kong?
We’re excited to return to Hong Kong, where we last held the Congress 25 years ago. Needless to say, the exhibition industry has totally changed since then. It has gone from strength to strength, and it is growing robustly in Southeast Asia and India.
And although events in China are facing some headwinds, such as slower economic growth and trade tensions, China remains by far the largest exhibition market in Asia, and we are looking forward to seeing the new opportunities that arise from these macroeconomic shifts.
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