Making his closing speech at the 78th Annual Congress of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibitions Industry, Eric Everard, founder and president of easyFairs and its parent company, the Artexis Group, reviewed UFI’s progress during his term of office.
“A year is a very short time in the events industry,” said Everard. “You can only do so much. That’s why I thought long and hard about my priorities.”
The number one priority was to boost membership, and over the past year, UFI has achieved a net gain of 30 members. Its total membership now stands at 574, the highest in UFI’s history.
“More importantly the quality of UFI’s membership has increased and so has its geographical reach,” said Everard. “This means more opportunities to network and learn.”
Everard also noted UFI’s progress in three other priority areas: technological innovation, sustainability and special interest groups.
He leaves the Presidency with the Association’s finances in surplus, for which he thanked Paul Woodward, Managing Director of UFI, and his team of professionals in Paris.
Everard’s successor in 2011-12 is Arie Brienen of Utrecht Jaarbeurs.
