First ever “Global Exhibitions Day” to highlight the exhibition industry’s benefits for the economy

Exhibition organisers, venues, associations, and service providers from countries all around the world are uniting behind a global initiative to stage the first ever “Global Exhibitions Day” on 8 June 2016. Driven by Paris based UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and Dallas based IAEE – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, a growing list of associations and industry players have pledged to join forces to promote the industry and to highlight its achievements. “There are many great national and regional initiatives, addressing exhibitors, visitors, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Uniting these achievements under one common umbrella will strengthen the messages and multiply the reach”, says Sergey Alexeev, UFI President, and Julie Smith, IAEE Chairperson. The campaign will focus on messages that promote the value of exhibiting for companies, the key support role of exhibitions for the development of trade and internationalisation, and the stimulating role exhibitions play in driving innovation and competitiveness of companies. At the same time, Global Exhibitions Day is also meant to be a celebration of the people working in the exhibitions industry, showing the excitement and career opportunities that the industry has to offer. While it is the intention that Global Exhibitions Day will grow as an event in the coming years, the initiative will be truly global from its very beginning. Already today, industry leaders from all continents have pledged their participation. “We are amazed by the support this idea has received already“, says Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director, and David DuBois, IAEE President and CEO. “As preparations progress, we’re inviting every player in our industry to get involved as well.” List of associations currently members of the task force: UFI (Global), AAXO and EXSA (South Africa), AEFI and CFI (Italy), AEO (UK), AFE (Spain), AUMA and FAMAB (Germany), CEFA and CENTREX (Central Europe), EEIA (EU), IAEE and SISO (USA), IECA (Indonesia), IEIA (India), LECA (Lebanon), PCEI (Poland), RUEF (Russia) and UNIMEV (France).