The UFI Open Seminar in Europe, which opened June 16, is bringing together industry leaders from across Europe and around the globe. Nearly 180 exhibition professionals from 34 countries have joined the three-day seminar in Istanbul to discuss the future of exhibitions as media in the marketing mix.
The Open Seminar in Europe program is varied; delegates are invited to observe presentations from industry specialists, challenge business experts on issues of shared interest to every exhibition organization and engage in lively discussions.
The European Chapter meeting, which is taking place as part of this event, will focus on destination marketing concepts for the exhibition industry. UFI’s Board of Directors also met for one of its twice annual meetings.
Andre Hoeben, chief operating officer for Netherlands based Gielissen Exhibition and Event
Services will moderate the seminar and lead a panel discussion at the heart of the program. A look at digitalization and its opportunities for the exhibition industry will be provided by Nicklas Bergman, Serial Entrepreneur, Technology Investor and Futurist.
The panel discussion on marketing trends overall and exhibitor behavior in particular will evaluate whether they are changing their practice. In a hands-on approach Dr. Holger Feist, chief strategy officer, Messe München International, will be pointing out what trade fairs can learn from the digital development’s effects on traditional media.
Looking at exhibitions from a marketing agency’s perspective, Jens Welin, executive vice president & managing director of Starcom will explain the important intermediary role that agencies play when advising face-to-face marketing tools for their customers. How should exhibition organizers spend their marketing budget in order to reach their attendees in the most efficient way, is a questions that Eyal Knoll, partner, jwc will be addressing.
Paul Woodward, managing director of UFI, commented, “We are very happy to be back in Istanbul.
Turkey is an increasingly important market for the exhibition industry and is now one of UFI’s top 10 member countries. As well as giving members and others a great opportunity to meet each other and develop new business opportunities, the event will focus on a critical issue for the industry. There is a really strong need for serious and in-depth discussion about how we position face-to-face marketing in the face of radically changing digital challenges.”
Industry experts are able to share information, exchange best practices and develop business opportunities at many occasions during the event. UFI events are always appreciated for their exceptional networking environment and the 2015 Open Seminar in Europe offers an unforgettable dinner cruise on the Bosphorus which is certain to be one of the highlights of 2015.
As well as UFI’s Diamond Sponsors, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and
GES, we are very grateful for the support of the World Trade Center Istanbul (Gold Sponsor) and HK
Fairs (Silver Sponsor)
UFI Open Seminars are held annually in Europe, the Middle East and Asia/Pacific regions. The purpose of these seminars is to encourage the exchange of knowledge and information among professionals in the scope of international exhibition business cooperation. UFI Open Seminars are open to both UFI members and non-members.
