Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the association of the world’s leading tradeshow organizers and exhibition center operators, celebrated the 10th edition of its Open Seminar in Asia. More than 300 delegates from 21 countries and territories gathered in Hong Kong for Asia’s most important event serving exhibition industry professionals.
“It is gratifying to see so many senior exhibition industry representatives from across Asia supporting UFI’s most important event in the region. The scale of this week’s seminar in Hong Kong is a testament to the strength of the industry in Asia,” stated Paul Woodward, managing director, UFI. “Approximately one-third of UFI’s global membership is now located in this region, with more than 220 members across 15 Asian markets. UFI looks forward to building on this track record of growth and success in the decade ahead.”
This year, the seminar returned to Hong Kong, which also hosted the inaugural edition in 2006. Co-hosted by both the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), it was held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
“Hong Kong has long been a leading market for exhibitions in Asia and we are pleased to have the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure and service capabilities to exhibition industry leaders from around the region,” said Kenneth Wong, general manager, MICE & Cruise of HKTB.
Speakers at this year’s seminar included an impressive number of industry veterans and business leaders. Dr. William Fung, Group Chairman of Li & Fung, the seminar’s keynote speaker, shared his views on the future of sourcing in Asia. Other speakers included Lucy Merritt and James Campion from ExCeL London, Mark Temple-Smith from ITE Group, Andrew Strachan from Art Basel Hong Kong, Jimé Essink of UBM Asia, Joon-How Loy from IMPACT Exhibition Management and Michael Kruppe from Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre and many more.
Along with the seminar, UFI organized several days of meetings and activities in Hong Kong, including UFI’s first-ever, sold-out Sustainable Development Focus Meeting. More than 100 delegates met to hear speakers including Kevin Teng, director of sustainability, Marina Bay Sands; Dianne Young, CEO, Direct Energy Centre in Toronto; and Fiona Pelham, managing director, Positive Impact, a U.K.-based non-profit focused on sustainable event practices.
Three other meetings were held during the week including the inaugural Asia CEO Think Tank meeting, an UFI members’ meeting of its Asia Pacific Chapter as well as an Association’s Committee Meeting.
“From the beginning, HKECIA has been a strong and enthusiastic support of UFI’s activities in Asia. Over the past decade, we have watched UFI’s membership in Asia expand year after year,” shared Javed Khan, chairman, HKECIA. “HKECIA is immensely pleased to have played a role in co-hosting this record-breaking Open Seminar – with more than 300 exhibition industry leaders joining us in Hong Kong this week to celebrate the success of this seminar.”
Key supporters of the Open Seminar in Asia were UFI’s Diamond Sponsors – Global Experience Specialists (GES) and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
For more information, visit ufi.org/hongkong2015
