First fully in-person event for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry since the onset of the global pandemic
Leaders from across the regional and international exhibition sector have gathered in Dubai for the UFI MEA Conference, taking advantage of the opportunity to see how the city has led the way globally in restarting business events in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The conference, the first fully in-person event for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry since the onset of the global pandemic, was hosted on 26 May at Dubai World Trade Centre, with the city’s well-established measures in place to safeguard the health of all participants and delegates.
The one-day event attracted 150 attendees from 10 countries, with His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Tourism and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority and Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO of UFI, delivering welcome addresses. The UFI MEA Conference brings together leading players from the Middle East and Africa region and beyond, to network, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Driven by the city’s strong, decisive leadership and prudent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dubai has led the way internationally in safely restarting exhibitions, trade shows and other business events, which play a vital role in economic and knowledge development locally. Just as we worked with local and international stakeholders to ensure the city was well-placed to resume events, we are committed to working with the wider industry to share knowledge and learnings. Hosting the UFI MEA conference has enabled us to engage with key leaders from the global business events community and provide a platform for its continued rebound. We are keen to support the sector worldwide, and welcome organisers to get their event plans back on track by moving their events to the safe environment of Dubai.”
