Kai Hattendorf

Managing Director / CEO, UFI

Kai Hattendorf is Managing Director / CEO of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. As such, he is responsible for UFI activities and events globally, as well as the operation of its offices and presences in Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, and Bogota.

From 2019 to 2021, Kai served as Honorary President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), a global Council of international and global associations serving the Business Events Industry, where he remains on the Board.

Prior to his current role, Kai worked in the exhibition industry for numerous years in senior management positions at Messe Frankfurt’s global headquarters, focusing on transformational issues ranging from digitisation to marketing and communications.

Kai’s work in the events industry has been recognized through various awards and recognitions around the world. Most recently he was named “Business Events Strategist of the Year” by PCMA.

A journalist by education, Kai has worked for international broadcasters like Germany’s WDR, Euronews in France, the BBC and the Voice of America.

“As a former journalist, I know that you have to present your facts and arguments in an attractive, clear, and understandable way. The Iceberg does just that – showcasing the complete contributions of the business events industry globally.”