ASIA-PACIFIC
Oman
Said Al Shanfari Elected UFI President
Said Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, was elected president of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, for the 2027 to 2028 term. He will join UFI’s Presidential Trio as incoming president in November 2026. Al Shanfari will assume the presidency in November 2027 during the 94th UFI Global Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. He also chairs UFI’s Middle East and Africa Chapter.
Bahrain
Bahrain to Host 93rd UFI Global Congress
Hong Kong
Three Hong Kong Fairs Expect More Than 770 Exhibitors
Australia
Darwin Wins 2032 ACWW World Conference
Darwin will host the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) 33rd Triennial World Conference in 2032. The event is expected to bring more than 500 delegates to the Australian city. Northern Territory Business Events, Darwin Convention Centre, and the Country Women’s Association of the Northern Territory secured the bid. Darwin also will host the ACWW Pacific Area Conference in 2027, which is expected to attract about 200 delegates.
Suncorp Stadium Plans Largest Upgrade in 23 Years
Stadiums Queensland announced the largest Suncorp Stadium upgrade since the venue’s 2003 redevelopment. Plans include 30 percent larger video screens, a roof-mounted 360-degree LED ribbon board, external media displays, terrace bars, and safe-standing areas. In addition, the project aims to increase the Brisbane stadium’s capacity. Design work began in June, while construction is expected to start near the end of 2026.
Helen Mantellato Elected UFI Asia-Pacific Vice Chair
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, elected Helen Mantellato vice chair of its Asia-Pacific Chapter. Her three-year term will begin after UFI’s General Assembly in November 2026. At International Convention Centre Sydney, Mantellato serves as senior manager of business development, international, and exhibitions. In addition, she chairs the New South Wales chapter of the Australian Business Events Association.
United Arab Emirates
EuroShop Middle East Debut Moves to October 2027
Messe Düsseldorf postponed the launch of EuroShop Middle East to October 25 to 27, 2027, at Dubai World Trade Centre. Organizers originally scheduled the retail tradeshow for October 2026. Messe Düsseldorf said the delay would provide exhibitors, partners, and visitors with more stable planning conditions. The event will extend the EuroShop portfolio into the Middle East and focus on retail technology, shopfitting, store design, and retail innovation.
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Ottawa Hosts Environmental Peacebuilding Conference
Ottawa hosted the Fourth International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding from June 16 to 19 at the University of Ottawa. The Environmental Peacebuilding Association and the university organized the hybrid event. Delegates discussed climate change, displacement, biodiversity loss, environmental conflict, emerging technologies, and energy transition. The conference followed the 2024 edition in The Hague and continued the partnership between the two capital destinations.
Mexico
Mexico Prepares for Six August Tradeshows
Mexico will host six major tradeshows in August. Confitexpo will run August 4 to 6 at Expo Guadalajara. Expo MED | Hospitalar follows August 18 to 20 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City. Expo Mueble Internacional and Techno Mueble Internacional will share Expo Guadalajara from August 19 to 22. IBTM Americas will run August 19 and 20 in Mexico City, followed by ABASTUR from August 26 to 28. Calendar listings estimate 8,331 attendees for Confitexpo, 40,000 for Expo MED, and 3,000 for IBTM Americas.
EUROPE
Spain
Expoquimia and Equiplast Draw 20,803 to Barcelona
Expoquimia and Equiplast closed at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue with 20,803 visitors, up 10 percent from 2023. The co-located shows featured nearly 800 exhibitors and more than 1,600 brands in halls 2 and 3. Organizers said the commercial offering grew 35 percent from the last edition. More than 200 activities across both events drew over 6,000 attendees. The next joint edition of Expoquimia and Equiplast is scheduled for May 2029.
Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress Expects 6,000 Professionals
The Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress will run November 3 to 5 at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. Organizers expect about 6,000 cybersecurity professionals and 100 exhibiting companies. The seventh edition will occupy Hall 2 and will include conference sessions, startup programming, networking, and a hacking village. The event will be held alongside Smart City Expo World Congress to connect cybersecurity with urban technology and infrastructure.
Barcelona Boat Show Confirms More Than 130 Companies
The Barcelona International Boat Show will run October 14 to 18 at Port Vell. Organizers have confirmed more than 130 companies and 70 percent of the exhibition space. The 63rd edition expects more than 200 exhibitors, including boatbuilders, equipment suppliers, marinas, and water sports companies. The show will add in-water demonstrations, expanded sea trials, and new areas for marina facilities, diving, shopping, and water sports.
France
Global Exhibitions Day Marks 11th Edition
The exhibition industry marked the 11th Global Exhibitions Day on June 3 under the theme “Exhibitions Drive Opportunities.” Organizers focused on career development, sustainable practices, and business growth. The campaign included participation from international associations and major exhibition organizers. Global Exhibitions Day also coincided with the UFI European Conference in İzmir, Türkiye, which drew more than 400 attendees. The next Global Exhibitions Day will take place June 2, 2027.
United Kingdom
Olympia Opens Next Phase of £1.3 Billion Transformation
Olympia advanced its £1.3 billion (about $1.75 billion) transformation with several openings in June and July. British Airways ARC, a 3,800-capacity live entertainment venue, opened June 16. Hyatt Regency London Olympia followed July 6. The wider redevelopment includes restaurants, bars, hotels, public spaces, offices, cultural venues, and an International Convention Centre. Additional elements of the London destination are scheduled to open throughout 2026.
Cisco Live Returns to London Under Multi-Year Deal
Cisco Live will return to London from February 8 to 12, 2027, under a multi-year agreement with Excel London. The conference will use the venue’s entire 125,000-square-meter campus, including its new 25,000-square-meter expansion. The expansion formed part of Excel’s £350 million (about $471 million) investment program. Organizers said Cisco Live attracts about 21,000 technology professionals from roughly 100 countries. The event last took place in London in 2013.
British Motor Museum Plans 142-Room Hotel
British Motor Museum Meetings & Events expanded its corporate and association offering at its Warwickshire venue. The site has 17 meeting rooms for six to 600 delegates, a conference and exhibition suite, and 65 acres of outdoor event space. An adjacent 142-room Fairfield by Marriott hotel is expected to open in June 2027. The hotel will support residential conferences, multi-day meetings, and evening programs.
Legends Global Reports Record UK Events Year
Legends Global reported a record 2025 for conference and events activity across its United Kingdom venue portfolio. The company welcomed more than 1.2 million delegates and attendees across venues in London, Manchester, Leeds, Aberdeen, Sheffield, Newcastle, Hull, York, and Derby. London Tech Week drew more than 30,000 attendees to Olympia and secured a three-year agreement. The British Orthopaedic Association also confirmed events at Olympia in 2026 and P&J Live in Aberdeen in 2028.
Germany
Leipzig Opens New City Harbour
Leipzig opened Stadthafen Leipzig on June 5 after 25 years of development. The 13,800-square-meter site includes a 4,025-square-meter harbor basin, berths for passenger ships, and space for 40 sports and family boats. A 43-seat restaurant and an event loft can accommodate up to 110 guests. Visitors can access Leipzig’s regional waterway network from the city center through the harbor. Its first Grand Harbour Festival will take place July 18 and 19.
Austria
Vienna Tops UIA, Places Fourth in ICCA Rankings
Vienna led the Union of International Associations’ 2025 city ranking with 345 international association meetings. Brussels followed with 329, while Seoul recorded 216. The International Congress and Convention Association placed Vienna fourth worldwide with 159 qualifying congresses. Lisbon, Paris, and Barcelona took the top three positions. Vienna also led ICCA’s medical science category.
