Following recent developments of new, serious outbreaks of the COVID19 virus around the world, many countries have tightened their border controls and limited public gatherings. Based on these developments, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry has reviewed and adapted the scheduling of three of its education programs. This leads to postponements and a cancellation. While these decisions are disappointing to the association, the health and safety of their members and staff come first.
The UFI Forum on sustainable development event will now take place in 2021, and they are working with the hosts, sponsors and speakers on the next steps. “In the meantime, UFI will maintain opportunities for the sharing of best practices, and develop several online sessions on focused topics” said Christian Druart, secretary of the UFI sustainable development working group.
The UFI-Venue Management School will be postponed to a later date this year. “Like many of you faced with similar decisions, and after discussions with our hosts in Macau, we have opted to postpone the the Venue Management School until later in the year,” commented Mark Cochrane, UFI regional manager of Asia, pacific region. “As soon as we have confirmed the new dates, we will share them with you.”
The 2020 UFI-Exhibition Management Degree in Macau will be cancelled. Based on the UFI community’s feedback, June is the best time during the year when the week-long program can be held. The UFI will continue to provide high quality education to Macau and make every effort to confirm and announce the new date for the Macau edition of the UFI Venue Management School in the coming weeks.
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, UFI is supporting our global community and the industry at large in many ways.
UFI launched a designated online program of educational talks, panels, and sessions to provide content and dialogue while regular events and educational programs cannot take place as usual.
The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organizers and exhibition center operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents more than 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its 60 national and regional association members. More than 800 member organizations in 89 countries around the world are presently signed up as members. Around 1,000 international trade fairs proudly bear the UFI approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities. For more info, visit www.ufi.org.
