UFI Learning is structured as a learning landscape that brings together programmes, events, communities, and resources. This flexible approach aims to provide diverse opportunities to encourage continuous learning for all. Whether it’s an UFI event, a programme, or a research report—every engagement with UFI offers an opportunity to learn.
Naomi Smith explores what events are revealing about association leadership this year in places where strategy becomes visible: association events. Naomi is joined by Ariane Brusselmans, Senior Nonprofit Executive and Director of Conferences at the International AIDS Society, and Professor Peter Van Daele, Secretary General of the International Union of Radio Science.
Skift Meetings summarises the key findings of JWC’s annual Global Performance Review of the worldwide trade show and exhibition sector, including the consultancy’s first country-level ranking. China and US lead the way, but perhaps surprisingly, France appears at number three ahead of Germany.
Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, articulates the case for why and how we can change external perceptions of the business events sector amongst audiences beyond our own “bubble”. He argues the industry must speak with a stronger, unified narrative that highlights business events as drivers of knowledge exchange, innovation, economic growth and long-term societal impact.
Experienced sustainability practitioner and impact consultant Jessica Vandy takes issue with the inappropriate and reputation-damaging misuse of sustainability terminology such as “regenerative”, a slowly growing trend that she argues is infiltrating event websites, venue brochures and destination marketing. Credibility and trust are essential attributes, and sloppy use of language is putting these at risk.
The event industry does not lack expertise; it lacks a system that turns thousands of successfully delivered events, research, and thought leadership into accumulated professional knowledge that helps us continually improve how events are planned, delivered, and evaluated. Prof Mike Duignan sets out a pragmatic framework to solve this fundamental challenge.
Timed to recognise the founding of the world’s first destination organisation on February 19, 1896, in Detroit, Michigan, this worldwide advocacy event recognises the leaders and organisations that drive tourism, economic growth and community vitality. Greetings by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and state Governors of Illinois and Wyoming were amongst many messages of support.
Following its traditional evolutionary approach to destination sustainability metrics, the Global Destination Sustainability Movement has focused on consolidation, precision and alignment with global sustainability frameworks, enabling the Index to function even more effectively as a rigorous improvement-in-performance programme for destinations around the world.
Dr Emma Delaney from the University of Surrey explains how the “psychic income paradigm”, a concept well established in sports events, offers a credible way to capture the overlooked social and emotional value that is delivered by business events. From Centre for Events & Festivals…
Kai Hattendorf sets out the data that prove we are experiencing an accelerating degradation of digital business environments, and argues that this dramatically revalues the utility of the exhibition hall, conference hall and networking spaces: Across the business events industry, we have long argued that trust is built through physical presence…
Browse all the 2025 UFI Award Winners to understand how the world’s most innovative trade shows are evolving and adapting in order to thrive in the current challenging business environment. The UFI Awards recognise outstanding achievements and best practices in the global exhibition industry. Open to organisers, venue operators, and service providers worldwide, the programme…
Traditionally, tourism and economic development were treated as two distinct functions, but this model has evolved over recent decades, as destinations recognise that these are two sides of the same coin. Visitors, investors, talent and residents are responding to the same fundamentals: quality of life, connectivity, innovation, culture, sustainability, and opportunity. From City Nation Place…
This study is based on a global survey concluded in December 2025. It represents up-to-date information on the status and outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 19 specific markets and regions. The Barometer has a truly global reach, with 378 companies participating in this edition from 57 countries and regions.
In this episode of The Meeting Room podcast, James Lancaster, Editorial Director at Northstar Meetings Group, and Iceberg Ambassador, discusses the latest implications of Trump travel policies suggesting a silent revolution on the part of event organisers and international visitors is well underway…
GatheringPoint’s David Adler takes global experiential agency Jack Morton’s latest annual report as a starting point to explore how factors such as trust, credibility and alignment enable events to become purposeful platforms for the exercise of soft power.
From AI abuse scandals to collapsing trust, X is no longer just “controversial” – it may be fundamentally broken. And that matters for meetings, events and destination marketers. With the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images by removing clothing, the demise of X as a credible social media platform feels complete.
Kai Hattendorf draws together strands from multiple sources in an attempt to isolate the seven most important issues facing our sector in the coming year. In an era of accelerating change and unpredictable complexity, this is a call for observation of what’s happening, serious debate and contemplation of multiple perspectives, and for flexible, mission-focused leadership.
AIPC has signed an MOU with UFI and ICCA to jointly co-fund and support the work of ISO Technical Committee 354, responsible for developing international standards covering meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and related event services. This strategic collaboration reflects a shared commitment by the three global associations to advance consistency, quality, and professionalism across global markets.
When attention is scarce and expectations are high, it’s design that helps organisations, brands and events stand out, argues Carina Bauer. The World Economic Forum predicts that creative thinking and curiosity will be among the most in-demand skills by 2030. IMEX invites the events industry to embrace design as our business superpower.
Event matchmaking platform Conferli has produced this guide for associations to help them maximise the financial and in-kind support they can obtain from host destinations, with advice built on the results of a collaborative research project with #Meet4Impact and the GDS-Movement into the worldwide subvention environment.
The 11th edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) will be celebrated on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, under the theme “Exhibitions drive opportunities”. UFI encourages all businesses and professionals across the industry to celebrate GED by showcasing how exhibitions create opportunities for people, planet, and performance. Download resources and tools, and find inspiration here…
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