Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), the Middle East’s newest and largest exhibition and convention centre, has announced the election of Dr Debbie Kristiansen, the General Manager of EWB, to the International Board of Directors at UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry. 

 

The three-year mandate will begin after the association’s annual general assembly, which will be held ahead of UFI’s Global Congress in November 2023, in Las Vegas, US.

 

UFI is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre 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 works closely with its 60 national and regional association members.

 

More than 820 member organisations in over 85 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.  

 

The UFI Board of Directors comprises a maximum of 60 members and elections take place every three years. During this process, the members elect a global body with representatives from UFI chapters around the world.

 

The board is tasked with implementing decisions taken by the General Assembly, developing UFI policy and preparing all proposals related to matters affecting international trade fairs. After thorough preparation, these proposals are submitted for vote to UFI members at the annual general assembly.

 

Michael Duck, UFI President and Informa Markets, EVP Commercial Development, stated: “I am very pleased to thank all newly elected and re-elected Board members to the UFI Board. I am constantly proud that we have so many enthusiastic members who wish to contribute to our industry.” 

 

Dr Kristiansen added: “I’m immensely proud to be elected as part of the UFI’s new board of directors. Joining a dynamic global platform in the international MICE industry is considered a great testament of the EWB’s potential to effectively contribute to MICE industry trends and developments, which will place a global spotlight on the Kingdom of Bahrain as the region’s leading hub for the MICE and business tourism industry. Together with EWB, I am looking forward to performing a key role in sustaining this promising sector to prosper and utilise UFI member organisations with creative ways in our dedicated path of continuous progress in the global MICE industry.” –TradeArabia News Service