TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
After almost 15 months of digital meetings, the first onsite in-person event in the business events sector was hosted by Dubai World Trade Centre on May 26. UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry Middle East and Africa Conference 2021 successfully concluded with over 150 participants from across the globe and 30 expert speakers.
The UFI MEA Conference brought together leading players from the region and beyond to network, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships, with participants travelling from as far as the United States. 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, delivered welcome addresses. Leaders from the regional and international exhibition sector gathered in Dubai – thanks to the city’s well-established measures to safeguard the well-being of all visitors and lead the way in restarting business events.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing
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’ve worked with local and international stakeholders to ensure the city has been well-placed to resume events, we are committed to working with the wider industry to share knowledge. Hosting the UFI Middle East and Africa Conference has enabled us to engage with key leaders from the global business events community and provide a platform for its continued rebound.
Kai Hattendorf, CEO and Managing Director, UFI
We are very happy to offer our members and the industry the opportunity to re-connect in person, on site, face-to-face, this week. You could literally sense the excitement in the conference hall, as colleagues from across the region met each other again, took stock of where we are as markets re-open and discovered future opportunities in the Middle East and beyond. UFI is ready to support the industry across the region in this recovery.
Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President at the Dubai World Trade Centre
The Dubai World Trade Centre is delighted to finally welcome so many UFI delegates to connect again face-to-face, celebrate the industry’s achievements and jointly accelerate the global momentum of events re-opening. I’m also proud to share the launch of the Sum+ Of Us Women in Events Network, which has received a pledge of support from UFI, whose own Special Interest Group for Female Leadership strives to raise the profile and visibility of female leaders and talents in the exhibition industry. The network will be the region’s first women leadership development initiative, and has been established to support talented, dedicated women to evolve, grow and create greater impact in the exhibitions and wider events industry.
Naji El Haddad, Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa, UFI
This conference is a clear manifestation of the industry’s resilience and determination to thrive, despite the current circumstances. The success of the event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our host, Dubai World Trade Centre, and our destination partner, Dubai Tourism. I’d like to offer a special thanks to all of our sponsors, speakers and delegates for their contribution and participation.” The event is the latest in a series of important shows and conferences taking place in Dubai over recent months, following on from Gitex Technology Week, Gulfood and Arabian Travel Market.
