• Five recipients selected by international jury chaired by UFI President Geoff Dickinson
• Grantees to assess strategic and operational potential of AI for exhibition and business events industry
• NGL project to kick off in Zurich at the 2024 UFI European Conference

Paris – 25 April 2024: UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) grant. This year’s awardees were chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants by a distinguished panel of international judges chaired by UFI President Geoff Dickinson.

Now in its 8th edition, the NGL grant is designed to identify and nurture emerging talent within the exhibition industry. To be eligible, candidates must have worked for less than ten years in the exhibition industry and show clear initiative for driving change in their fields.

Sponsored by Clarion Events, dmg events, Informa Markets, and RX, winners receive mentorship and support from leading global industry executives, making it the most prestigious talent accelerator programme of its kind.

The 2024 NGL grant winners are:

• Ana Carolina Aguilera – Institutional Affairs Coordinator, FEXPOCRUZ (Bolivia)
• Celia Hidalgo Calvo – Digital Strategist, IFEMA Madrid (Spain)
• Alexander Caspari – Manager Corporate Development & Sustainability, Koelnmesse (Germany)
• Lesley Gurney – Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, ICC Sydney (Australia)
• Nadja Hutton-Mills – Business Development Manager for Europe & Middle East, August Robotics (Germany)

The 2024 NGL mission focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and those selected stood out as proactive thinkers and doers shaping the future of this emerging technology. Together, the NGL grantees will assess the strategic and operational potential of the rise of AI for the exhibitions and business events industry.

The Jury:

The jury was chaired by Geoff Dickinson – UFI President and CEO of dmg events – and included:

• Damion Angus – Group Managing Director, Montgomery Group
• Silvia Bassino – Director of Human Resources & Organisation, Fiera Milano
• Kurt Gamauf – Vice President of Human Resources, RX Global
• Elizabeth George – Senior Conference Lead, HIMSS Global Conference, Informa Markets and NGL Alumna
• Kai Hattendorf – CEO, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry
• Justine Kendall – Director of Human Resources and Employee Benefits, Clarion Events North America
• Sean Ongers – Head of Global Learning & Performance, Informa Markets
• Rachel Wimberly – Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and M&A, North America, Hyve Group

“The UFI Next Generation Leadership grant is a beacon of innovation and excellence, and I congratulate this year’s recipients on this outstanding achievement. Their passion and dedication to advancing the exhibition industry are truly inspiring and are a testament to its bright future. I look forward to witnessing the meaningful and lasting contributions they’ll make for our industry,” commented UFI President Geoff Dickinson.

Awardees will kick off their project during an in-person workshop at the UFI European Conference in Zurich, Switzerland. They will then develop their project online over the course of seven months. The programme will culminate with a group presentation at the 91st UFI Global Congress in Cologne, Germany, providing them with a platform to showcase their vision and expertise on a global stage.

UFI congratulates the recipients of the 2024 Next Generation Leadership grant and looks forward to supporting them as they embark on this exciting journey.

For more information about the NGL Grant, visit the UFI website: www.ufi.org/ngl.

Attachments:

• UFI NGL 2024 visual
• Picture of 2024 NGL grant winners

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• Industry leaders from 15+ countries gathered in Rwanda for 2024 UFI MEA Conference
• Conference hosted by Rwanda Convention Bureau at Kigali Convention Centre
• International line-up of speakers explored the exhibition landscape of the region

Paris / Kigali – 23 April 2024: The UFI Middle East & Africa Conference brought together industry leaders, professionals, and stakeholders in Kigali, Rwanda, from 15-17 April. Hosted by the Rwanda Convention Bureau at the Kigali Convention Centre, the conference explored opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the region.

Over the course of three days, attendees from 15+ countries had the opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and collaborate with colleagues from MEA and beyond. Engaging sessions tackled our industry’s most pressing topics, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging market growth, industry trends, and sustainability, providing invaluable perspectives to navigate the region’s evolving exhibition landscape.

“Our profound appreciation goes to the Rwanda Convention Bureau for graciously hosting the UFI Middle East and Africa Conference, an event that has undeniably set a new benchmark for industry gatherings in this region, through thought-provoking discussions and diverse topics, a strong line-up of speakers and experts, unparalleled networking opportunities, in addition to memorable social activities. We are immensely thankful to our sponsors, partners, and the diverse group of attendees, whose collaboration and insights turned this conference into a unique experience. Rwanda’s warmth and hospitality have left an unforgettable mark on us all”, commented Naji El Haddad, UFI Regional Director MEA.

Janet Karemera, CEO of Rwanda Convention Bureau, added: “Hosting the UFI MEA Conference for the first time in Africa is a testament to Rwanda’s commitment and the continent at large to establish its presence in the global exhibition sector landscape. We were privileged to learn from peers about how vast the possibilities are to expand our portfolio as a destination with the right investment and support from industry stakeholders.”

The conference was also an opportunity for the UFI Middle East & Africa Chapter to convene and exchange strategies for enhancing the Chapter’s growth, along with fostering greater diversity and inclusion. UFI Regional Director MEA Naji El Haddad outlined forthcoming plans for the MEA Chapter in 2024, emphasizing upcoming events and activations, advocacy efforts, including Global Exhibitions Day on 5 June, and initiatives in education and research. The subsequent chapter meeting is scheduled to occur in Cologne, Germany, during the 91st UFI Global Congress.

One of the highlights of the conference was the social activities that provided participants with the opportunity to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships, all with vibrant Rwanda as their backdrop. Numerous post-conference tours immersed participants in the host city’s rich culture and history, showcasing Kigali as a dynamic and emerging hub for exhibitions and business events.

All conference sessions will be made available to UFI members and conference participants in the coming days as on-demand videos.

As the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI organises annual regional conferences in the Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, as well as the UFI Global Congress.

Full details about the 2024 UFI Middle East & Africa Conference can be found on the event website: www.ufimea.org.

Attachments:

• UFI Middle East & Africa Chapter Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda
• 2024 UFI Middle East & Africa Conference visual

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