UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, announces that two forums will take place just prior to the European Conference in Birmingham, U.K. scheduled for May 15-17. The first will focus on “Operations and Services” while the second will be all about “Digital Innovation.” Run by UFI’s respective working groups, the forums, which will run May 14-15, will specialize the conference based on a very specific topic. Their aims are to empower mid to senior managers in the exhibition industry who are in charge of these specific subject areas for their companies.
With the theme “Productivity improvements in operations and services using smart technology,” the Operations and Services Forum (May 14-15) will present concrete case studies supporting a range of topics, such as IoT data collection and deployment, IoT for venue management, facial recognition for entry control and a close look at the deployment of the “Air Traffic Control” model to venues.
“The Operations and Services Forum provides delegates with the ideal opportunity to step back and reflect on how to do things better,” says Giacomo Lucchini, chair of UFI Operations and Services Working Group. “Participants can become more familiar with the specific tools available for a seamless, optimal customer experience whilst maximizing efficiency.”
The UFI Digital Innovation Forum will take place on May 15. Entitled “How to Push Digital Innovation,” it will present real-life cases, challenges and benefits. The speakers and presenters will share their experiences, both good and bad, as well as ideas for organizations to become more digital, data-driven and customer-focused taking place.
UFI Digital Innovation Working Group Chair Matthias Tesi Baur explains, “Over the past few years, the topic of digital innovation has come up time and again. We have looked at it from many different angles, studied it, strategized it and filled a lot of slides with it. However, CTOs and CDOs of the exhibition industry are still struggling when the time comes with actually implementing real projects in real events and venues. This is why we have decided to focus on real-life cases, challenges and benefits.”
With both forums wrapping up just as UFI’s European Conference kicks off, participants can make a seamless transition from one event to the next. The conference is UFI’s main event in Europe, with the most international gathering of European exhibition industry leaders. Colleagues from Asia and the Americas will also attend. The conference is geared towards providing industry updates and insights from across the region, combined with quality networking and unique cultural experiences. It will focus on what’s in store for organizers in Europe and beyond. This first international conference for the industry in post-Brexit Britain will look at ways and means to benefit from changing trade patterns as new alliances are being forged.
The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI is the leading global 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 around 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its 60 national and regional association members. More than 780 member organizations in 86 countries around the world are presently signed up as members. More than 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
