Mark O. Schloesser, Senior Venue Consultant, Gaining Edge, calls for a more holistic approach to data management within major event venues. Reliable data across all key disciplines is essential for success, but depends on having a culture of accuracy, transparency and accountability – how many venues can honestly claim to have this throughout their organisations?
From TSNN: A newly authorized $250 Visa Integrity Fee could reshape the cost — and feasibility — of attending trade shows and exhibitions in the U.S. Though slated to take effect October 1, 2025, the fee remains in bureaucratic limbo. No one’s paying it yet, but many are bracing for impact.
David Adler profiles one of the individuals who have done the most to shape the modern entrepreneurial trade show sector, and in doing so defines essential, universal leadership attributes for success, but also advocates for the importance of having societally valuable personal objectives in such a profit-centric ecosystem. From GatheringPoint.news…
The creation of ISO’s first dedicated Technical Committee on Events is an important step forwards for not only the exhibitions industry but for all event types. Chris Skeith OBE explains why global standards matter, not just for organisers and venues, but for governments, destinations, and the millions of people who experience events worldwide.
In a world where sustainability is high on the agenda, business events organisers are facing growing calls to demonstrate why and how their activities help reduce overall carbon emissions, to justify the carbon-cost of their attendees’ travel. This is a great example of taking an evidence-led approach to this challenge. From MIX Meetings…
EIA (the Event Industry Alliance) and UFI have collaborated with Oxford Economics to assess the economic impact of exhibitions in the UK for the year 2024. The report highlights the exhibition industry’s contributions to the UK’s economy, including output, GDP, and job creation, driven by participant expenditures. View / download the report here…
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) is seeking input on its public policy priorities in 2026. From tariffs and international travel restrictions to workforce development and sustainability, policy issues will continue to have a significant impact on the industry next year. Take this brief survey to help ECA shape the agenda for the year ahead.
David Adler argues that participation is the USP that has driven the value and impact of events from time immemorial, and that new technologies that fail to unlock meaningful participation will fail whilst those that widen and deepen interactivity will thrive. From GatheringPoint.news…
Kai Hattendorf with a deep-dive into a sector he knows intimately, drawing out lessons that are of value to meeting professionals both within the trade show sector but also far more widely. Main takeaway: “Experiences, not Engines” drive success.
This is a big move towards common ISO standards for events: industry association leaders should be reaching out to UFI CEO Chris Skeith, who’s been proposed as Inaugural Chair. Championed by UFI, managed by AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation), the ISO Technical Committee on Events is a milestone in advancing international standards for the sector…
Trade show marketing contributes near $2 trillion to the worldwide economy. Trade Shows from One Country to the Next delves into the international differences when exhibiting products and services outside of your country of origin. The book focuses on the needed adjustments that must be made to achieve greater success communicating at a trade show.
When the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war forced the International Gas Union to move the 20th edition of the International Conference & Exhibition on Liquified Natural Gas from St Petersburg to Vancouver with only 14 months notice, no-one anticipated the invaluable addition of societal partnerships onto the conference agenda, enabling the event to communicate the…
The US will impose sweeping import tariffs from 7th August, targeting key trade partners including Canada, China, and the EU. Trade shows face rising costs, disrupted logistics, and lost de minimis exemptions. While small to midsize exhibitors may pull back, committed firms see opportunities in maintaining visibility and adapting strategically. From Trade Show Executive…
UFI has released the latest 35th edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer report, which captures the current status and outlook of the exhibition industry worldwide. The UFI Barometer has been providing benchmark data across key metrics for the industry since 2009, helping organisations to gain insight on trends to help them plan their business…
As sustainability efforts gain momentum, fragmented rules frustrate crews and contractors. “Too many rulebooks for the same game,” one industry insider says. With multiple standards, shifting timelines, and unclear mandates, execution often falls apart on the show floor. Industry leaders are calling for unified, practical, consistent guidance, built for real-world conditions. From Exhibit City News…
The UFI Business Mission 2025 (open to all industry professionals, UFI Members or not) is designed to connect international organisers, venues, and suppliers with the growing exhibition industry in Latin America, offering a special focus on the opportunities in Bogota, Colombia thanks to our host Corferias.
David Adler calls for the USA (and by implication, many other countries) to emulate the long-term strategic thinking behind Germany’s Messe-model success story. Trade show venues should be seen as intellectual infrastructure, creating and taking ownership of world-leading events that reflect the business and scientific strengths of the host city. From Gathering Point News…
The UFI Global Congress is a unique platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring innovative solutions to the challenges facing the exhibition industry. By choosing Bahrain, UFI highlights the Kingdom’s growing importance as a hub for international events and its commitment to fostering the global exhibition ecosystem. (Open to UFI Members Only)
IZFAS, one of Turkey’s leading exhibition organisers, will host this flagship regional event, bringing together exhibition industry professionals from Europe and beyond to share insights, explore new trends, and strengthen cross-border collaboration. Izmir, known for its strategic location, cultural richness, and thriving trade fair industry, offers the perfect backdrop for dynamic discussions and meaningful connections.
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