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Below is a list of the last five Press Releases to be consulted:
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CEO exhibition organizers brainstorm in Geneva
Paris/Geneva – 4 February 2010: The second UFI Global CEO Forum (UCF) is hosted by Palexpo in Geneva from February 3-5, 2010. Organised by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, participation in this annual CEO-level event is by-invitation-only. Leading CEO exhibition organisers from 27 nations will be exchanging ideas and information at this senior level brainstorming session.
During these difficult times it’s more important than ever to network and learn from each other. Targeted to challenge the CEO’s of the world’s leading exhibition organizers, the UCF programme includes strategic topics ranging widely and including organizational culture, leadership performance, and a close look at the current state of the global exhibition industry.
An update on the global economy from the perspectives of the always entertaining economist, Roger Martin-Fagg is also certain to encourage lively debate. The meeting will also be looking at the current “hot” topic for all industries, social media, and how its power can be harnessed by the exhibition industry.
The quality and experience of the UCF speakers and participants guarantees that the information exchanged will be of the highest level. UCF speakers will spark dynamic exchanges which will drive participating CEOs to adapt and develop new strategic concepts suited to the current exhibition industry environment.
UFI’s President, Manfred Wutzlhofer, stated, “the exhibition industry is a close-knit global family. The UCF is an important opportunity for us to freely exchange ideas on the industry and develop new and exciting perspectives for the future.”
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For additional information please contact:
UFI
Ms Lili Eigl, Manager Communications
35bis, rue Jouffroy-d'Abbans
75017 Paris, France
Phone: (33) 1 4267 9912
Email: lili@ufi.org
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Global Exhibition Barometer Identifies Regional Differences
Paris, January 14, 2010: At the beginning of 2009, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, decided to assess the impact of the economic downturn by developing a “Crisis Barometer” based on the perceptions of UFI members in 82 countries. For the USA, an identical survey was conducted by SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) and for Central & South America by AFIDA (Asociacion International de Ferias de America) of their respective members. Results of these surveys were published in February, May and August 2009. This tool now goes forward as the “Global Exhibition Barometer”, with 2 surveys planned per year.
The current Global Barometer survey, conducted in December 2009, provides new insights into the impact of the economic crisis on the exhibition industry and, for the first time since this survey was launched, identifies significant differences across the various regions of the world.
A “bottom-out” of the turnover decrease is anticipated in 2010, by a majority of respondents from all regions, except Europe. When looking more specifically at the combined results for the second half of 2009 and forecasts for 2010, 60% of European respondents declared decreases for all periods as compared to 32% in Asia/Pacific; 25% in the Middle East/Africa and only 8% in the Americas.
In 2009, in terms of operating profit, the Americas and Europe were more affected than the other regions, with 54% and 51% respectively of respondents experiencing a decrease of more than 10% of their 2008 operating profit, or even a loss. The same was felt by only 29% of respondents in Asia/Pacific and 11% in Middle East/Africa. For 2010, however, 41% of respondents in the Americas expect an increase of 10% or more, and the remainder anticipate a stable situation. Respondents from other regions have comparable expectations, except in Europe where only 19% of respondents expect an increase of 10% or more in 2010.
Finally, a majority of respondents from the Americas and from Asia/Pacific believe that the global exhibition industry’s economic recovery will occur in the second half of 2010. However, once again differences can be noted across the regions. A majority of respondents from Europe and Middle East/Africa believe this will not take place before 2011.
UFI’s Managing Director, Vincent Gérard observed that, “It now appears that although all regions have been affected by the crisis, the impact is being felt with significant difference between regions, and sometimes also within regions. It’s interesting to see that while the Americas and Europe appeared to be hardest hit by this economic crisis, the Americas seem first to recover.”
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For additional information please contact:
UFI
Ms Lili Eigl, Manager Communications
35bis, rue Jouffroy-d'Abbans
75017 Paris, France
Phone: (33) 1 4267 9912
Email: lili@ufi.org
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Download this Press Release
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New UFI President identifies Objectives
Statement by Manfred Wutzlhofer, UFI President, 76th UFI Congress, Zagreb 2009
First of all, I am very thankful for the confidence which has been placed in me by electing me to the position of UFI President. It is a great honor and a challenge to take on this important position in the coming year.
My predecessor, John Shaw, Cliff Wallace and the UFI Team have done an outstanding job helping UFI to further evolve into the unique global organization for the exhibition industry that it is today. The fact that they recently did so during an unprecedented global financial and economic crisis, which of course will have long-term effects on the exhibition industry, makes honoring this accomplishment even more important.
John Shaw has earned our heartfelt gratitude and special recognition. He deserves a great deal of credit for his commitment to UFI. Our heartfelt thanks and special recognition also go out to our Managing Director, Vincent Gerard, and the entire UFI Team which, as always, has done an outstanding job during this last term of office.
I would also like to thank all the members and member organizations that have actively stood by and supported UFI, especially in the various UFI committee meetings and international conferences.
Last but not least, I would like to convey our special thanks to the hosts of the 2009 UFI Congress here in Zagreb – Zagreb Fair and its management and staff as well as all supporting staff in Zagreb and throughout Croatia. You have done an outstanding job. We will always look back on this congress fondly and with thanks.
My term of office continues to be influenced by developments related to the global economic crisis as well as by structural modifications to our exhibition business’ changing demands by our customers on our exhibition venues, the fairs themselves and fair-related services. However, severe paradigm shifts in global priorities, especially in the area of environmental awareness, also affect us directly.
For this reason, I feel that action is necessary in the following areas:
1. Regardless of today’s global shifts, it is clearly recognized that trade fairs and exhibitions are still of prime importance to the economy – and in some cases they are even more important than ever before. Especially in times of crisis, domestic and international economic partners need exhibition platforms to send positive signals to their strategic markets to launch innovative products, to discuss crisis-management measures and using this knowledge respond quickly, flexibly and correctly.
For UFI, it is both a privilege and a responsibility to call the attention of the media to the special role of exhibitions as they provide important opportunities to the global and local business communities.
2. When it comes to the quality of our exhibition venues and events, experience has shown that our customers' demands tend to increase dramatically, in particular during times of crisis. Marketing services that showcase the exhibitors' products and services to the greatest extent possible and the presence of as many high-quality visitors from appropriate target groups as possible are particularly important. Exhibition participants also expect to find the best possible service at the venues where the events are held.
This calls for the continuous, creative adaptation of exhibition concepts and the constant development of service quality. This in turn calls for highly qualified, highly motivated employees. The exhibition industry belongs to the service sector and requires quality personnel with a constructive attitude for success and acceptance. For this reason, we must make sure that promoting and advancing the training and qualification of exhibition employees remain UFI's special responsibility and concern, now and in the future.
3. Taking environmental requirements into account, and promoting them, is a global challenge and an important task for everyone, including the exhibition industry. For the global event industry, it is imperative that our behavior be as environmentally friendly as possible, and that we conserve resources. We must systematically promote the themes of environmental protection and sustainability when planning, organizing and holding fairs and exhibitions.
When it comes to these three tasks – promoting fairs and exhibitions in the media, training and qualifying exhibition employees, and supporting environmental protection measures in the exhibition industry – UFI has the unique opportunity to develop and apply global standards and to provide this guidance to others. This is something that we should all be actively promoting, and I cordially invite all of you to join us and support us in this effort.
Naturally, doing so may not be at the expense of the diverse range of highly appreciated activities and measures provided by UFI and its partner organizations as well as those within UFI.
Above all, we want to further intensify our mutual communication and our joint gatherings. Unlike any other institution, the exhibition industry gives exhibiting companies platforms around the world where people can meet and exchange information and ideas – a unique information and communications opportunity – to promote their commercial success, to improve the decision-making quality of their business partners and – last but not least – to enable wonderful experiences with partners, customers and colleagues.
That also applies to each of us here, and UFI, which we all share, gives us the best opportunities to do so. Let UFI put us to intense use. On that note, I wish everyone here the utmost success in their work and a wealth of helpful, interesting and friendly contacts with one another.
Because we in the exhibition industry want to be helpful and sustainable!
Thank you for your attention!
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For additional information please contact:
UFI
Ms Lili Eigl, Manager Communications
35bis, rue Jouffroy-d'Abbans
75017 Paris, France
Phone: (33) 1 4267 9912
Email: lili@ufi.org
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Download this Press Release
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Exhibition Industry Face Up to reality at UFI think tank
Paris/Zagreb, October 29, 2009 - Eighteen exhibition industry leaders gathered in Zagreb (Croatia) on October 28, for the third “UFI CEO Think Tank”. UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, includes the world’s leading show organisers and exhibition centres in 83 nations. The participating Think Tank CEOs represent UFI “Group” members who are each organisers of exhibitions or managers of venues in multiple nations. The fourteen organisations participating at this exceptional “Think Tank” session represent an annual turnover of over 4billion euros and organize over 1500 exhibitions.
The Think Tank group reviewed the challenges exhibition industry faces today at a global level in the current economic environment, and addressed measures they have initiated in response to the challenges confronting the industry. Jochen Witt, Think Tank moderator and CEO of JWC, pointed out that, “despite a sense that the current economic squeeze has forced the exhibition industry to tighten its operating structure, the group acknowledged that this has pushed them to re-examine their business models, streamline their management structure and rationalize their event portfolios.” Developing creative business models to meet the new demands of exhibitors and visitors has also had the unexpected advantage of creating new levels of loyalty among these target audiences. While overall exhibition business profits have decreased in 2009, the industry’s cost-cutting measures allowed the industry to hold stable most exhibitor costs. Nick Forster, Global Commercial Director of Reed Exhibitions, provided a concise assessment shared by most Think Tank participants, saying “recession gives you a chance to examine what’s sustainable.”
A rapid review of 2009 results for these CEOs indicates that there are several variables influencing overall industry results. Geographically, the weakest industry results are to be seen in Europe, North America, Japan, India, and Russia. However, surprisingly strong results, were noted in China, Brazil and Turkey. In almost all cases, organisers reported that their “leading trade fairs” were able to remain stable or even exceed expectations despite their geographical location. Trade fair success also tracked closely to overall industry patterns with negative results noted in sectors including automobile manufacturing and real estate or positive results in the gas and energy sectors.
Among the measures taken by these Think Tank leaders were targeted cost-cutting, headcount reductions and negotiation of more flexible labour agreements. Though new-build programmes seem generally to be put on hold, the industry is clearly planning ahead as it continues to invest in staff training and the installation of new IT and data management systems aimed at improving CRM and providing exhibitors with solid ROI and lead generation data. Eric Everard, Executive Chairman of the Artexis Group, stated, “this is a time to reduce levels of risk and exposure. But it’s also a time to seek new business opportunities through joint ventures and new cooperative relationships.”
While remaining conservative about the timeframe for an economic turnaround, the group expressed overall agreement that while divesting loss leaders was imperative, interesting opportunities do exist today for targeted acquisitions and new revenue streams. John Shaw, UFI President, summarized the UFI CEO Think Tank group’s overall conclusion, saying “The economy may turn around in 2010, or perhaps in 2011. But in any case the exhibition industry is moving ahead in anticipation of the needs of our exhibitors and visitors. As a motor for commercial opportunities, the global exhibition industry will continue to play a key role in support of economic development in the future.”
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For additional information please contact:
UFI
Ms Lili Eigl, Manager Communications
35bis, rue Jouffroy-d'Abbans
75017 Paris, France
Phone: (33) 1 4267 9912
Email: lili@ufi.org
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Download this Press Release
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UFI Supports Sustainable Development in the Exhibition Industry
Paris, 29 October, 2009: Faced with global warming and diminishing resources the exhibition industry is conscious that it must strive to improve its impact on the environment both locally and globally. As a result, exhibition venues and exhibition managers around the world are taking steps to reduce waste, convert to sources of renewable energy, recycle frequently used materials and ensure that they contribute to the development of staff and the local community. UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, contributes to sustainable development by encouraging, sharing and promoting sustainable development practices in all aspects of exhibition venue and event organisation and management, whether from an environmental, economic or social perspective.
Through its activity across the globe the exhibition industry contributes to the three pillars of sustainable development: environmentally by adopting measures to improve energy, resource and waste management, economically, by supporting the development of international trade in the sectors it services and contributing revenues to the local and national economy, and socially by raising awareness within the exhibition sector and the wider community of the need for sustainable development and by educating and training employees to implement sustainable practices.
Exhibitions are the most efficient way of bringing together a multitude of buyers and sellers in a single venue, providing direct experience of material goods and services, stimulating business opportunities and facilitating business negotiations. At the same time exhibitions and trade fairs open up channels of communication which encourage social networking and understanding between peoples.
UFI is pursuing its support of sustainable development for the exhibition industry. UFI’s Sustainable Development Committee, chaired by Michael Duck (UBM Asia), provides the association’s members with best practice guidance and a forum to exchange knowledge and information. Manfred Wutzlhofer, UFI President, said, “trade fairs play a significant, beneficial role in supporting international trade and economic growth. The challenge for the exhibition industry is to retain the many benefits it brings to business and industry while ensuring that its impact is increasingly sustainable now and in the future.”
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For additional information please contact:
UFI
Ms Lili Eigl, Manager Communications
35bis, rue Jouffroy-d'Abbans
75017 Paris, France
Phone: (33) 1 4267 9912
Email: lili@ufi.org
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Download this Press Release
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