UFI to Offer Look at What Lies Ahead

This Just In

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, will focus on the future of exhibitions at the annual UFI European Conference in Verona, Italy, 2–4 May. Here’s a look at what to expect:

“Future-Proof Exhibitions” is the theme of the conference, which will explore how the exhibition industry’s landscape is shifting. It will look at what lies ahead, and how exhibitions will need to change to become “future proof” for the next generation of customers.

One trend to be explored is how traditional trade shows have become exhibitions, and how exhibitions have begun to add digital elements to serve customers’ expanding and changing needs.

The conference programme has been designed to provide a mix of presentations and panels, including new “deep dive” sessions, where participants explore single issues in smaller groups.

Confirmed speakers include Terri Toennies, executive vice president and general manager, Los Angeles Auto Show (USA); Chris Skeith, CEO, AEO (UK); and Richard West, director of security, Ascential (UK), who will join a panel discussion that focuses on security at venues and events and on cybersecurity. Futurist Sophie Hackford will speak about the impact artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies already have had on our lives and communities.

Gunnar Heinrich, CEO & managing partner, Adventics (Germany), will lead the “Digital Disruption – Meet the Experts” session, which will provide an update on digital developments and will look at what to expect from the next wave of digital technology.

Francis J. Friedman, president, Time & Place Strategies (USA), will close the conference by discussing why and how the exhibition industry must change and inviting participants to make sure their events are ready for the future by addressing how they can remain relevant, competitive, and financially successful in their transition to the digital future.

Read a Convene interview with Terri Toennies to learn how she makes safety at the Los Angeles Auto Show her top priority for the hundreds of thousands of attendees, exhibitors, and other participants who travel from 58 countries for the event.